SACRE BLEU! LA DESTINATION DE VACANCES IDÉALE!
It’s funny, we are SUCH creatures of habit! Whenever it’s holiday time we go straight to the airline sites and start scuffing around looking for great flight deals to Fiji, Rarotonga and maybe Tonga or Samoa too – especially if we have family or friends there.
Yet so many of us overlook the other brilliant holiday option right under our noses with all the same beautiful beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, scenic golf courses, delicious food options and rich cultural experiences we get at all the other Pacific Island destinations – but, it’s even closer to home…
In fact, New Caledonia is so near it’s even part of the same underwater Zealandia continent as us; which also means it’s got the shortest go-to travel time of any Pacific Island – it only takes about twenty minutes longer to fly there from Auckland than it takes to the Chatham Islands or even Invercargill!
Un petit peu de France dans le Pacifique
So how come we don’t know as much about New Caledonia as the other Pacific nations, especially seeing as it’s so close by? You can thank our Anglo-centric school system for that as New Caledonia has a long history with England’s arch enemy; the French.
Yes, despite the incongruous Scottish name – thanks Captain Cook! – New Caledonia is actually home to the Kanaks and various French peoples. In fact, New Caledonia is so French it is actually part of France – well, kind of as the locals have been running a never-ending series of independence referendums that can only be described as ‘inconclusive’.
It seems that the New Caledonians want to have their gateaux and eat it too. And why not? If we had the chance to eat French food, wear their fashion and listen to their Europop we’d seize it tout suite! It sure beats greasy chips and duffel coats any day!
A capital start
Been to France before? If not, then New Caledonia’s capital and largest city Nouméa is the perfect start for you, as it is a bit like having a French village handily placed right here in the Pacific. So everything you’d expect to find in France from the smell of freshly baked baguettes to passionate intellectual discussions in the cafe is right here – along with bright blue skies and palm trees, which are an awful lot harder to find in Paris. And of course, there is an abundance of that wonderful export the French gave to the world: Romance. It really is like Nouméa was designed with a little amour in mind!
Beyond Nouméa
Of course, there’s a lot more to New Caledonia than just Nouméa as the main island of New Caledonia – Grande Terre – is the largest island in the Pacific outside of the bigger nations of Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. So big in fact, it is more than five hours drive from top to bottom and can be split into several regions, each with its own unique look and feel:
West Coast
Did we mention that New Caledonia is romantic? Well, what more symbol of this do you need than the Heart of Voh – a completely natural Valentine heart-shaped clearing formed by mangroves, a truly amazing sight. The Heart of Voh is north along the coast after Bourail, while further south is the amazing Giant Fern Park where you can enjoy all of its amazing biodiversity from one or more of the many hiking or biking trails that wend their way through it. Or, you can play golf, as there’s a lot of great courses here in the West! Another highlight of the western region is Green Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an incredible haven of many species of animals protected by the island’s marine reserve status.
East Coast
Fancy an old school road trip? Then head East as this region has plenty of things to see and do on the way including amazing waterfalls and great diving spots. There’s even a classic old car ferry along the way. You need to keep your wits about you though as part of the road is one way for certain times of the day and the other way for the rest!
The Great South
this is the area around Nouméa so is the easiest to access of them all. The landscape looks different around here with its rich red soil and is ideal for hiking and biking with plenty of scenic trails to explore. Plus, you can do a bit of kayaking here and even whale watching if you come between July and September.
The Islands
Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines. If you like lounging about on pristine sand beaches, soaking up the sun and sipping pina coladas then this is definitely the region for you!
How to get there
New Caledonia is actually very easy to get to as local airline Aircalin fly up to five times a week from Auckland to Nouméa with a flight time of under three hours. To make it even more tempting for us active types, Aircalin have a unique ‘sporting allowance’ of an extra 23kg of luggage for gear like mountain bikes and golf clubs – and this comes on top of the standard allowance of 23kg for your normal luggage (on Aircalin operated flights only). Very sporting indeed!
You’ll be flying in new planes, as Aircalin have a fleet of spanking new Airbus A320Neos and of course, the in-flight meals are French inspired – naturellement! So, next time you’re hankering for an overseas break, don’t just settle for the usual suspects try somewhere with a little more Gallic flair. Pack your beret and onions and head off to our own France of the Pacific – New Caledonia. Bon voyage!
Nestled in the heart of the historic Hobart waterfront is a 5 star Hobart wine & art getaway.
A hotel with elegant charm and style coupled with wine tours to make you a gourmet scholar of sparkling wine.
WIN NZ$5,000 YOU travel & cruise voucher
We love cruise as just much as YOU do and are always looking at exciting immersive itineraries, new ships, and innovative firsts that the cruise lines continually strive for.