New Caledonia, a French Territory is a South Pacific island located near Australia and New Zealand. Even though French is its official language, its culture is a mix of Melanesian, Polynesian, European, Indonesian, and Vietnamese among several others. The group of islands consists of a single large island Grande Terre and six smaller islands – the Isle of Pines, Belep, and the three Loyalty Islands. What makes New Caledonia so special is that it is mostly isolated and has vast regions of wilderness comprising long walking treks, parks and reserves, crystal clear rivers, waterfalls, and campgrounds. Noumea is the capital of the islands and more than a third of its population lives here.
Grande Terre
The mountainous island of Grande Terre has the second largest barrier reef surrounding it, while the lagoon so formed covers more than 24,000 sq. km. of area, the largest in the world. The lagoon was declared a World Heritage Site in the year 2008. If you want to spend your time on the main island, Grand Terre, make sure to visit the Amedee Lighthouse Island. This is a tiny coral islet with a lighthouse in the center that was shipped out by the French during the middle of the 19th century by some mistake. Interestingly, you can spend an entire day exploring the island and the water surrounding it.
The Tjibaou Cultural Centre gives every visitor a chance to get close to the culture of New Caledonia. Located in Noumea, it is an architectural site containing archives, artifacts, and exhibitions. You would experience entering an entirely different world. Plage de la Baie des Citrons, also referred to as Lemon Bay is a beautiful beach that offers an unobstructed view of the sunset. The bay is sheltered from the winds and offers a variety of shops and restaurants to have a great time.
Isle of Pines
When you visit the Isle of Pines, you should be at Kanumera Bay. This area offers an amazing little beach that is picture postcard perfect. The pristine white sand is bordered by crystal clear blue water and dotted with pine trees. You can go snorkeling and there is no need to swim out too far to reach the reef.
Local Food
When it comes to cuisines, the varied culture of New Caledonia means you can enjoy a variety of foods. Make sure to drink some Kava. There are special Kava bars that can be recognized by their bright red lights outside. Bougna is their traditional Melanesian dish that consists of chicken, fish, or lobster with yams, sweet potatoes, bananas, and coconut milk. Revolving Restaurant “Le 360” is the perfect place to enjoy your breakfast and lunch. They offer both international and French cuisines. Chez Toto Restaurant and Le Roof in Noumea are ideal places to have your dinner.
Transportation
You can cover the entire New Caledonia island through a network of boats. Then, you can hire a scooter, car, or camper van to explore the remotest places on the islands. If you are in Grande Terre, almost all the towns are connected by bus service. The New Caledonia Airport or Tontouta Airport is in Paita, which is around 50 km from Noumea. You can take the local bus service to reach the capital city.
