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Travel Information on New Caledonia
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New Caledonia (NC)
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| Continent: |
Australia & Oceania |
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| Area: |
19.060 km² |
| Population: |
216.494 |
| Capital city: |
Nouméa |
ISO code: |
NC |
| National language: |
French |
International dialling code: |
+687 |
| Currency: |
CFP-Fanc |
License plate number: |
nul |
| Flight routes from New Caledonia: |
89 |
Flight routes to New Caledonia: |
136 |
| Popular airports: |
Touho (TOU),
Lifou (LIF),
Kone (KNQ),
Koumac (KOC),
Belep (BMY),
Noumea (NOU),
Ile des Pins (ILP),
Oyem (UVE),
Mare (MEE),
Tiga (TGJ)
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| Large cities: |
Nouméa,
Mont-Dore,
Dumbéa,
Païta,
Wé,
Tadine,
Poindimié,
Bourail,
Koné,
Houailou,
Fayaoué,
Canala,
Koumac,
La Foa,
Thio
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| Airlines based in New Caledonia: |
Air Caledonie,
Air Caledonie International
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Travelguide New Caledonia (Australia & Oceania)
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New Caledonia is a group of islands in the South Pacific belonging to France, located 1,200 km east of Australia. New Caledonia’s status is sui generic; it enjoys complete inner autonomy from France. It is the third largest nation state in the South Pacific behind New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Along with the islands of Fiji, Vanatua and the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia forms the island group called the Melanesian islands.
Geography: in contrast to its Melanese neighbours, New Caledonia is not of volcanic origin but rather a fragment of the ancient continent of Gondwana. Due to this geological circumstance, New Caledonia has a unique flora and fauna that, in the course of millennia, has evolved in complete isolation. The islands also demonstrate diverse forms of landscape and boast some of the best sandy beaches in the whole of the Pacific. The main island, Grand Terre, is surrounded by a coral reef 1,600 km in length. A sandy coast and lagoons gives way to a hilly landscape, crisscrossed by serpentines of mountain chains that divide the island into two entirely different landscapes. The dry western half is relatively flat and covered in rubber trees, the eastern half on the other hand is characterised by lush green mountains with idyllic beaches. About 50 km south east of the new Caledonian mainland is the Ile de Pins, that is well known for its unique stalactite caves. The Loyaute islands east of the main island are also part of New Caledonia along with the Chesterfield islands, Huon islands and the islands of Matthew and Walpole.
Mountains and rivers: the highest point in New Caledonia is Mont Panié in the north of Grand Terre with an altitude of 1,628 m (5,341 ft). Diahot River, also on Grand Terre, is the longest river in the country with a length of 150 km.
Climate and best time to visit: the climate in New Caledonia is subtropical throughout the year with daily temperatures ranging from 20° to 30° C, pleasantly cooled down by the Passat winds. The group of islands has no clear seasons, but the best time to visit is nevertheless between April and November, as it may rain occasionally during the rest of the year and because New Caledonia is plagued each year by tropical cyclones between the months of December and February.
Language and communication: the official and national language is French. More than 30 different Polynesian and Melanesian languages are also spoken. In general, English is understood in the larger towns and tourist resorts.
Health and vaccinations: vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, polio and tetanus is recommended. Long clothing should be worn to provide protection against mosquitoes and other insects, and a locally purchased insect repellent should also be used. Medical care is very good in all larger towns and tourist resorts. Visitors are advised to take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance that covers repatriation costs. A first aid kit should be packed and fruit and vegetables peeled or boiled before being eaten
Entry requirements: British Citizens or British Subjects with Right of Abode in the UK do not require a visa to enter New Caledonia. Other British passport holders should confirm current entry requirements with the nearest French Diplomatic mission. Passports must be valid for the entire stay.
For stays of longer than 3 months a visa is required; this can be applied for at the Haut Commissariat or French Consulate. Some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country. For further information on exact requirements at immigration please contact the French Embassy in London
Arrival and onward journey: New Caledonia can be reached from Australia and using airlines flying from Japan, the USA and from Sri Lanka, which all serve La Tontouta Airport (NOU) on Grand Terre, only 40 to 45 minutes by car from the capital, Nouméa. Local flights to other Melanesian islands use the airport Magenta (GEA), which is only 5km from the centre of Nouméa and is easily accessible from the city by car in only 10 minutes. The national airline Air Caledonie and Air Vanuatu, both operate from Magenta and link New Caledonia with the neighbouring islands in the Pacific. Visitors may also rent private planes and helicopters to reach the neighbouring islands; Grand Terre has more than 6 Helicopter landing sites.
Capital city: Nouméa is the capital of the French overseas colony of New Caledonia and has a total of 100,000 inhabitants. The city is a melting pot of various cultures. Besides the original inhabitants, called Kanaks (a Melanesian word for human), the city is to a large extent determined by Europeans, Indonesians, Vietnamese, Polynesians and Chinese. The excellent Aquarium, one of the leading scientific marine research centres of the world, the Jean-Marie cultural centre, the St. Joseph cathedral, and the colonial buildings should all not be missed. There are also plenty of parks and beaches and a botanical garden, 5km from the city and home to more than 700 different species of animals. On the east coast, the coral reef by the Amedée lighthouse, 18 km from Nouméa, provides for good bathing and diving. The lighthouse is surrounded by a tropically warm lagoon with picturesque waterfalls, wonderful lakes and lush green rainforests that are all harmoniously embedded in the landscape. The unique needle reef in Prony, resembling a pyramid, is yet another opportunity to marvel at the underwater world. For many divers, however, the 250 shipwrecks off the western New Caledonian coast prove more interesting. The shipwrecks sunk during the last centuries due to the coral reef and the strong currents and present the diver with a wealth of treasures as well as a wonderful underwater world, populated by skates, manta rays, ocean turtles, seahorses and moray eels.
Places of interest and beaches: the rock carvings of the Melanesian native inhabitants, of which there are more than 600 in New Caledonia, are worth seeing. Their origin could until now not be scientifically resolved, it is, however, assumed that the many geometrical forms were produced about 1500 years ago. These so-called Petroglyphs can for example be seen in Col de Katiramona, which is only 15 minutes from Noumea by car.
The animal world of Grand Terre and the neighbouring islands is also unique in the world. Due to the complete isolation of the archipelago, many endemic species were able to evolve without any natural enemies, as for example the turtle Meiolania and the Kagu bird that only occurs on these islands, the Caledonian giant gecko and the flightless bird, the Sylviornis neocaledonica.
Religion: in the diverse cultural mix of new Caledonia, Catholics are in the majority with 60 %, there are also about 30 % protestants and 10 % Muslims.
Major Cities and accommodation: Nouméa, Bourail and Koné.
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Favorite flights and cheap flights from and to New Caledonia / NC
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