New Caledonia
 |
Location
There's no better place to experience the Pacific with a taste of France than New Caledonia, where Melanesian tradition blends with French sophistication. Dining out and shopping run the gamut from gourmet restaurants to humble roulottes, from Chinatown's colourful shops to the expensively elegant, air-conditioned boutiques on rue de Sébastopol. When you leave the capital, the urban scenery gives way to a wealth of changing landscapes - the rolling plains of la brousse (the bush), lush river valleys, steep mountains coursed by tumbling waterfalls, cool rainforests and wild coastlines.
Grande Terre is the main island with rugged mountains, waterfalls and the world's largest coral lagoon. To the Southeast, lies romantic Île des Pins with its slender pines, white-sand beaches and emerald lagoon. To the east, life proceeds at a leisurely pace in the relaxed Loyalty Islands: Maré, steeped in Kanak culture, Lifou and Ouvea.
New Caledonia is surrounded by the world's largest enclosed lagoon, where marine treasures of all shapes and sizes lie waiting to be discovered - canyons and caves, exquisite coral, the smallest of tropical fish, turtles, sea snakes and sharks. Dolphin and whale spotting are other delights in store, or simply the luxury of total relaxation on the soft, warm sand of a deserted isle
People & Language
The people of New Caledonia are multi-cultural with 42.5% Melanesian, 37.1% European, 20.4% other in population. The official language is French but at least 33 Melanesian dialects are used. The prominent religion is Roman Catholic with 60% practicing it.
French is the official language of New Caledonia. A lot of Kanak languages exist, but unlike neighboring Vanuatu, there is no unifying indigenous language (in this sense New Caledonia is more like Papua New Guinea).
Population
247,000 (2008)
Food
Dining out in New Caledonia is an integral part of enjoying life, and the restaurants, with their delicious food, are considered to be among the best in the South Pacific.
The French claimed New Caledonia in 1853 and their influence has led to the country’s unique identity and cuisine. Much of the food in New Caledonia is based on French-style cooking, and both coffee and wine are taken very seriously. The wide variety of French wines available is reasonably priced – as is the local beer.
A good place to begin your New Caledonian culinary travels is the bustling capital of Noumea, which boasts a superb selection of restaurants offering great food. There are about 130 eateries ranging from snack bars and sidewalk cafés to elegant restaurants where fine dining is the order of the day. You’ll also find many international cuisine styles reflecting the influence of other cultures such as Indonesian, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Vietnamese, Spanish and African. Seafood meals are a specialty and often feature fresh local food such as prawns, octopus and shellfish, as well as reef fish and deep-sea fish.
Climate & When to Go
New Caledonia has a temperate climate with two main seasons: cold (June to August) and hot (mid-November to mid-April). Water temperatures drop to 21°C in the cold season, and average air temperatures are around 24°C during the day and 15°C at night. Travellers wanting to laze around on the beach should avoid these months, but for hikers this is an ideal time to visit New Caledonia. In the hot season average maximum temperatures vary between 26°C and 30°C. The cyclone season occurs during the hottest months, January to March.
Overall, the best time to visit New Caledonia is from September to December, when the days are not too hot and sticky, and there's less likelihood of rain.
Currency
US Dollars / Cour de Franc Pacifique (CFP)
Money / Banking
There is a 5% services tax which is usually included in displayed prices.
Banks in Noumea and some of the main centres change travellers cheques. You'll find ATMs either outside or inside most banks. They accept most major credit cards. There are many ATMs in Noumea and also in other major towns and villages. Some post offices also have ATMs. Credit cards are accepted by hotels, restaurants, big shops and airline offices in Noumea, but not at budget places outside the capital.
Climate
The climate is fairly stable year round, although the most favoured time of travel is September-December, when the least amount of rain falls and the day temperatures are generally between 23-27 deg.C. The rest of the year is hot, humid or rainy (or all three) but usually isn't so awful that a trip should be cancelled. July and August are the coolest and windiest months, with some days reaching only an average of 17-22 deg.C. The wet season is February-April, the rain is sporadic and mostly confined to the mountains. Cyclones may blow in any time from November to March. Take a jumper for evenings, especially if you're going into the mountains.
Electricity
Electricity in New Caledonia is 220 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to New Caledonia with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter
Getting Around
Touring New Caledonia by car or campervan allows you to explore places that are off the beaten track and aren't easy to reach by bus. Car-hire rates are reasonable. New Caledonia's major roads and most of its minor ones are all sealed and in good condition. Occasionally, road signs are missing so a good map is essential.
You have to be pretty eager to cycle round 400km-long Grande Terre. However, each of the Loyalty Islands, in particular Ouvéa, and Île des Pins are ideal for cycling. Bikes can be transported on the Betico and Havannah ferries. There are few bike lanes in Noumea, and drivers both in the capital and elsewhere are not necessarily courteous to cyclists, so you need to be vigilant.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory.
Departure Tax / Visas
Passport holders from countries including European Union member countries, Switzerland, Australia and NZ are allowed entry into New Caledonia for three months without a visa. Some visitors, including citizens of Japan, Canada and the US, are allowed entry for one month without a visa. To check the latest visa requirements check the French government website for New Caledonia at www.etat.nc.