"Images of New Caledonia" a New Caledonia Travel Page by wcph

Some information:

Area: 19,060 sq km

Best time to go: try to avoid the cyclone period from November to April, the absolute best months are the drier months between August to October.

Capital: Noumea

Currency: French Pacific Francs (CFP)

Independence: overseas territory of France

Languages: French (official), other Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%

Visas: most nationalities do not need one

Arrival & Departure: Tontouta International Airport is 45km northwest of Noumea. A taxi was expensive, a shuttle bus (2500 CFP) met every international flight.

The sights:

Grande Terre (the third largest island in the South Pacific) is the main island in New Caledonia. Frankly there was not a lot to do besides water sports. I went on an overnight trip to the island of Ouvea (45 min flight from Noumea). It was windy and rained so I don't have any good photos I can post.

Tjibaou Cultural Centre is open from 9am to 5pm and closed on Mondays (entrance fee 500 CFP). Take bus #2 (blue line) to the stop "Centre Tjibaou", 20-25 mins from the center of town. (photo on the left)

Noumea market is on Baie de la Moselle. Open from around 6am to 10am, you can buy local produce, fresh fish and shellfish, baked goods, flowers and arts & crafts.

St. Joseph's Cathedral (photo in album)

Place des Cocotiers is the main square in Noumea and a popular gathering place. (photo above)

Musee Territorial de Nouvelle Caledonie (Noumea Museum) is closed on Tuesdays, entrance fee 200 CFP. Photography was not allowed inside the museum, (photo in album)

The beaches in Ouvea had finer white sand and were more spectacular than the famous Anse Vata beach (photo on the right) in Noumea.

Costs and information mentioned above are current as of November 2003.