LIFOU, THE LOYALTY ISLANDS
New Caledonia and its islands are home to some of the world’s most beautiful natural scenery, boasting idyllic white and golden beaches under swaying palms and soaring pine trees. An assortment of activities is on offer in each of the islands, whether clients are going on a romantic escape or taking the whole family on an adventurous island holiday. Only two-and-a-half hours’ flight from Auckland, the island group is located in a sub-region of Melanesia in the South-West Pacific and is comprises the main island Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands and several smaller islands, with the capital and largest city being Noumea on the main island. All of the islands are a melting pot of culture. The indigenous Kanak culture is blended with Pacific, European and Asian influences which is evident in the islands’ architecture, arts, crafts and hospitality. A variety of dining, shopping and tourism experiences abound, while fly-drive holidays are easily arranged for clients who want to get off the beaten track.
Getting around
Travel toolkit CURRENCY
WEATHER
$1 ≈ XPF67* South Pacific Francs are available from banks in New Zealand. Most hotels in New Caledonia will exchange New Zealand dollars. ATM machines will accept most New Zealand eftpos cards and credit cards are widely accepted.
The warm season is September to March with temperatures averaging between 25-27 degrees. The cooler season is April to August with temperatures averaging 20-23 degrees. The wetter months are from January to March.
HEALTH
GETTING THERE
No vaccinations are required for travel to New Caledonia. Tap water is drinkable. Clients should be advised to pack mosquito repellent. Noumea also has modern medical facilities if required.
Both Air New Zealand and Aircalin fly twice weekly to Noumea ex Auckland and codeshare on each other’s flights. NZ flies on Tuesdays and Saturdays and SB flies on Thursdays and Sundays.
NATURE AND CULTURE PASS The Nature and Culture pass costs XPF1700* and provides entry to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, the Museum of New Caledonia and more. This pass is often bought in conjunction with the Noumea Explorer Bus (see Getting Around) at a combo rate.
TIME DIFFERENCE When New Zealand is in daylight saving, New Caledonia is two hours behind. For the rest of the year there is a one-hour time difference.
USEFUL WEBSITES New Caledonia Tourism: www.newcaledonia.co.nz Northern Province: www.tourismprovincenord.nc The Loyalty Islands: www.iles-loyaute.com Aircalin: www.aircalin.com Air Caledonie: www.air-caledonie.nc Noumea tourism office: www.office-tourism.nc Isle of Pines: www.isle-of-pines.com Caledonia Spirit: www.caledoniaspirit.com
The roads in New Caledonia are in good condition and well sign-posted. Cars are left-hand drive and driven on the right-hand side of the road – clients will need a current driver’s license and must be over 21 years of age. Rental cars are available for clients keen to explore the mainland. Most major car rental brands are represented. The mainland of New Caledonia is 500km long and 50km wide, so if visitors want to drive around the entire island they should allow around four days for a fly/drive itinerary. If clients are staying around Noumea then buses are a good option. Karuia buses (red buses) run every 20 minutes and cost XPF200 one way. The Blue Line runs between Tjibaou Cultural Centre and Place des Cocotiers in the centre of town. The Green Line follows the beach roads. A hop-on hop-off bus, the Noumea Explorer, (XPF1500/adult, XPF500/child)* runs Tuesday to Sunday and stops at all the main Noumea attractions. The international airport is a 45-minute bus transfer or car journey from downtown Noumea.
GETTING TO THE ISLANDS The Isle of Pines and Loyalty Islands are accessible by highspeed catamaran or by domestic airline Air Caledonie from Magenta domestic airport which is 3km from Noumea. Rental cars and bikes are available on all of the islands.
ISLE OF PINES The Isle of Pines lies south-east of Noumea and is known for its white beaches, swaying palms and Araucaria pines. Air Caledonie offers a minimum of two return flights a day morning and afternoon. The Betico catamaran links Noumea to the Isle of Pines in two hours 15 minutes and operates Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. Departures from Noumea are at 0700 with the return service leaving the Isle of Pines at 1700.
LOYALTY ISLANDS Mare, Lifou and Ouvea are roughly a 40-minute f light from Noumea, with several f lights each day on Air Caledonie. The Betico catamaran also runs services from Noumea to Lifou, Mare and Ouvea several times a week.
PREPRESS AND PRINT: GEON PUBLISHED BY: MANAGING EDITOR: Gordon Gillan Ph:+64 9 529 3026 Email: gordon@traveltrade.co.nz JOURNALIST: Hayley Barnett Ph:+64 9 529 3016 Email: hayley@traveltrade.co.nz SALES MANAGER: Jennifer Bowman Ph:+64 21 546 096 Email: jennifer@traveltrade.co.nz DESIGNER: Amber Renée Hobbs
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All material published in traveltrade is copyright but may be published provided written consent is obtained from the publisher and that traveltrade is acknowledged as the source. Opinions are the authors’ and do not necessarily represent those of Mediaweb. ALL IMAGES ARE CREDIT: NEW CALEDONIA TOURISM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. *RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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On the road: self drive Approximately 500km from end to end, New Caledonia’s mainland (La Grande Terre) has good and mainly sealed roads offering decent facilities and accommodation en route and, most importantly, diverse scenery and experiences.
New Caledonia has high mountains, coastal farming and grazing, vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, towns, plantations and a beautiful coastline with a sprinkling of resort hotels. A popular itinerary is to drive up the west coast staying a night or two at Poum, then down the east coast stopping at Hienghene. At about half way down the east coast the road cuts back to the west coast so clients only have 162km of duplicated scenery as they backtrack to Noumea. This itinerary can also be done in reverse. To do justice to the whole circuit it’s advisable to allow five days and for keen climbers, hikers, photographers, fishermen, botanists, horseriders or just plain beachlovers, then the longer the better. For shorter f ly/drive itineraries, stopping for a stay on the west coast near Bourail followed by a crossover to Hienghene via Kone, a three- or fourday experience, is suggested. Whatever fly/drive itinerary clients go with, there are some excellent driving guides for visitors, which have helpful hints, distances, road rules and good maps to help them along their way. Some key fly/drive destinations:
LA FOA Just 110km from Noumea signals the start of cattle country, a good base for the exploration of Dogny Plateau and the village of Koinde. Between La Foa and Moindou, the ruins of Fort Teremba prison are the setting for an annual sound and light show retracing the convict era. Nearby are the remains of an old military watchtower overlooking the plain.
SARRAMEA A small picturesque village squeezed in between mountains, Sarramea is a paradise for nature lovers with a variety of walks and streams for swimming.
BOURAIL 162km north of Noumea is Bourail. Area highlights include a museum, NZ Pacific War Cemetery, Arab Cemetery, Nemeara Cattle Station, caves, forests, plus La Roche Percee (Pierced Rock), La Baie des Tortues (Turtle Bay) and Poe Beach (located 17km from Bourail). Horseriding treks and diving tours are popular in this region.
POUM Located in the Banara Bay, about 56km from Koumac at the extreme north of the island, the Melanesian village of Poum is under the palm trees and its beaches at Nennon, Ouegoa, Tiabet, Bouarou and Malabou are the most beautiful in New Caledonia. Mount Poum can be reached in one hour by foot.
HIENGHENE Located on a rocky pit at the mouth of the Hienghene River, Hienghene is considered to be one of the most beautiful spots in New Caledonia and features an interesting cultural centre. Lagoons, valleys, beautiful waterfalls, coconut groves, coffee plantations, Melanesian villages and the highest peak in New Caledonia, Mont Panie (1639m) are all found here. Lying between the Melanesian village and Hienghene itself are two naturally sculptured limestone rocks towering 60m above the bay of Hienghene.
AU PETIT CAFÉ
Downtown Noumea hot spots Often overlooked in favour of Anse Vata and Lemon Bays, downtown Noumea has more to offer than meets the eye with a number of hot restaurants and bars to discover. Here are three of the hottest spots downtown. AU PETIT CAFÉ Now three years old, Au Petit Café has been established as one of Noumea’s top eating spots. Definitely one to book in for, this café is nearly always packed to the rafters. Neither fine dining nor classic French, the cuisine at Au Petit Café is best described as contemporary cuisine infused with fresh local flavours, simply prepared. Bright and tropical during the day, cosy and ambient at night, the decor is an eclectic mix of vibrant artwork, potted palms and Asian sculptures. With dishes such as carpaccio, salmon of the gods with apple relish and Thai-style simmered rabbit with coconut milk polenta and sautéed seasonal vegetables, the food is imaginative and a direct reflection of the innovative style of owner Gabriel Levionnois. Au Petit Café, 8 Avenue des Freres Carcopino, Noumea.
LE FLEX With its central location on Place des Cocotiers, Le Flex is the place to be seen in downtown Noumea. Clients can enjoy some specialty
tapas and bruschettas on the outdoor patio or head for the indoor bar. There’s live music and a regular open mic night featuring professional musicians on Tuesday evenings, electro evenings on Wednesdays and Fridays and live gigs on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Upstairs at the Muzz Bar a FrenchCaribbean DJ mixes up a storm on the turntables. From June 2011 onwards, Le Flex will also be open for lunch. Le Flex, 37 rue Jean Jaures, Noumea.
LE ZANZIBAR A hidden gem, Le Zanzibar serves international food in a colonial setting. Housed upstairs in a restored mansion at the upper end of Place des Cocotiers, clients will love the warm colours, antique furniture and unaffected charm of the house. With a selection of dishes combining Asian zing and Mediterranean panache, an imaginative approach is employed to enhance local specialities as well as a touch of spice and fragrance. Rich tagines (an aromatic North African stew), fresh daily seafood and local meats drizzled with tangy sauces are on offer. Le Zanzibar, 51 rue Jean Jaures Place des Cocotiers Area, Noumea.
MORE AGENT INFO For more information and brochures from New Caledonia Tourism, please visit www.brochurenet.co.nz On the website you will find: Jason’s Visitor Map • Taste New Caledonia Gourmet Guide • New Caledonia World Heritage motivational brochure • Loyalty Islands Brochures and Maps • I Love the North – Northern Province Brochure • Customary Gestures in Kanak Country • A range of consumer information packs
www.newcaledonia.co.nz info@newcaledonia.co.nz 0800 NOUMEA For brochures - www.brochurenet.co.nz NEW NE W CA CALE LEDO LE DONI DO NIA NI A
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Lush and mystical, the north-east coast of the Grande Terre was the refuge of numerous Melanesian tribes at the time of colonisation. Part of the island is said to be the Kanak soul of the Grande Terre, a natural reserve and showplace of history for New Caledonians.
CREDIT: NORTH PROVINCE TOURISM
EXPERIENCE THE LAND
THE VIEW ALONG THE NORTH-EAST COAST
Banana trees, coconut palms and yam fields line the single road which runs along the seashore. Near the villages, stalls offer tribal produce and crafts such as lemons, mandarins and bananas as well as seashells, necklaces and the soapstone sculptures that are a Pouébo speciality. Golden-sand beaches stretch directly to the foot of the mountains. The villages and their few dwellings are perched on this narrow coast, while the lagoon extends as far as the eye can see, studded with islets and underwater sites which led it to be classified on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. The further north you go the more spectacular the east coast becomes, with black splinters of rock set against its green backdrop. A natural formation, the Lindéralique cliffs seem to have been fashioned by centuries of sea winds. Along the road these black blocks scrape the sky with their sharp tips. In the water the rock takes the form of a giant hen laying its eggs in the
Royal Tera unveils new look VIEW FROM A ROYAL TER A BEACH RESORT TERRACE
The new 108-suite property is located right on the beach on Anse Vata Bay. Each apartment has a balcony, the majority with lagoon views. Each suite boasts a fully equipped kitchen for those who want to shop for French fare from the supermarkets, plus the resort features a restaurant, bar and pool bar. Spa Aquatonic opens in June. The hotel is also suitable for conferences and meetings with facilities available for small intimate meetings or conferences up to 250 people theatrestyle. The main banquet hall offers floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lagoon and a large covered terrace.
CREDIT: RESORT: TERA HOTELS AND RESORTS
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After a $A35 million beautification, Royal Tera Beach Resort and Spa, which was previously Club Med, opened in February of this year.
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With Royal Tera now online, Tera Hotels and Resorts now offer combination packages with its three other properties: Ouré Tera Beach Resort on the Isle of Pines, Tiéti Tera Beach Resort on the east coast (Poindimié) and Kanua Tera Ecolodge in the far south (Port Boisé). Tiéti Tera Beach Resort is now closer to Noumea. The domestic airline Air Caledonie has started operating three f lights per week between Noumea and the east coast of New Caledonia. Flight time is 45 minutes and transfer time from Touho airport to Tieti Tera Beach Resort is 20 minutes by shuttle.
OV INC E TO UR ISM CR EDIT: NORTH PR
E T AT HIENGHEN HIENGHA ISLE
ART CR AF TS AT PO UÈBO
bamboo undergrowth. Then the climb starts. Sometimes steep and slippery, the track goes through the vegetation of the rainforest: giant mushrooms, tree ferns, screwpines and other rare and protected endemic species abound. The trek is punctuated by streams and creeks and views over the lagoon and its channels. After crossing a forest of moss and hard kaoris (an endemic species exclusive to Mont Panié), you reach the summit and a view overlooking the east coast and its waterfalls. Among them is the Tao waterfall which, with a drop of 200m, is one of the highest in the north. The waterfall can be seen from the road or measured during the athletic hike leading to the top of the falls.
THE KANAK: SOUL OF THE GRANDE TERRE Twenty kilometres north of Hienghène is the native village of Jean-Marie Tjibaou. Born in 1936 in Tiendanite, this fervent advocate of the Kanak cause was a signatory to the 1988 Matignon peace plan which opened the way to New Caledonian selfdetermination. Earlier, in 1975, he organised Melanesia 2000, the first festival to show Kanak culture to the outside world. The most typical accommodation in the tribal village is the traditional Melanesian hut. With its straw roof it is ecological yet robust. At dawn, the song of the kagu is heard before sunrise. This grey and
11045 - Photo : Ducandas
middle of the lagoon and further away it is an ebony sphinx watching over its territory. Riddled with hidden caves, the region is colonised by petrels and roussettes (fruit bats), which fly off by the dozen when night falls. While the road reveals a sculpted coastline, the little paths along the cliffs and through the mountains explore the heart of the north-east coast. There is a two-day trek with 1800m of cumulative elevation gain to Mont Panié, which at 1628 metres is the highest peak in New Caledonia and has a rich botanical reserve. Starting from the Ouaïème valley, the track crosses the river before turning along its banks and disappearing into
white endemic bird does not f ly. To see it at a curve in the river, you have to be more than an early riser: either lucky or accompanied by a child from the tribe who has frequently had the opportunity to track down the bird. After a breakfast with the inevitable Nescafé it is time to put on your sneakers and tackle the custom reserves of the north-east. Lunch at the foot of a waterfall is also an opportunity to try fishing for prawns with the help of a spear. Even in daylight it is not easy to distinguish the small, almost translucent crustaceans so it is a feat to hook one on the end of this long forked stick. The most memorable moments are those spent around a traditional meal by the light of a fire. Clients will taste a bougna – a dish made of root vegetables (taros and yams), Poingo bananas, coconut milk, meat or fish and cooked with little liquid in a traditional oven dug in the ground and covered with burning hot stones, or in a pot. In the heart of Melanesia, people become aware of a fundamental reality. The Kanaks take care to maintain harmony within the tribe and also to preserve nature reserves and respect the memory of the ancestors. Life is marked out by the natural biological cycles, with respect for the land and the Elders. As an old Melanesian saying goes: “The land does not belong to humanity, humanity belongs to the land.”
I love the mix of cultures... I love discussing Kanak customs and traditions in a tribal setting. I love sharing bush evenings with good stories over some grilled deer. I love a natural world that surprises me with its lushness and diversity. I love adventure. I love walking, horse-riding, diving, fishing, dreaming and exploring. I love life. I love people. I love the North!
www.tourismeprovincenord.nc NEW NE W CA CALE LEDO LE DONI DO NIA NI A
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Make a splash KAYAK CALEDONIA BY EXPLORE NEW
Not only does it offer the usual swimming and scuba-diving excursions, there’s fun to be had by horseback and kayak. For the not-so-confident swimmers, guided snorkelling tours can be arranged with an experienced instructor.
SWIMMING ON HORSEBACK Terraventure, an organisation of outdoor enthusiasts, offers visitors an extensive programme of kayaking and horseriding trips with a distinct difference. Their signature trip, La Ballade de la Riviere, meaning river ride, consists of a two-hour trek along the Haute Couvelee river, where riders get to experience swimming on horseback. All Terraventure’s horseriding excursions have a swimming element to them, including one north of Dumbea that leads riders up to a number of swimming holes known as Les Marmites des Geants or Giants’ Swimming Holes. Their beach trek options, which take riders and their mounts along the
G ET B ACK TO NATUR TH E W E AND ATER O IN N HOR SEBAC K
beaches of the Karikate region, is 45 minutes’ drive north from Noumea. Their kayaking programme includes trips to Canala, Tomo and Prony. Kayak to otherwise inaccessible and exciting nature trails, exploring the mangroves and scenery as you paddle up the Tontouta River or glide towards the Prony hotwater springs. Owner and operator of Terraventure Odon Vanhalle promises an adventure by way of leisure activities close to nature, in harmony with the local population and their traditions. Visit: www.terraventurenc.org.
KAYAKING ADVENTURES Promising breathtaking vistas and memories to treasure, Aventure
Pulsion Kayaking offers a selection of kayak excursions guaranteed to thrill clients. They can explore the eerie mystery of the drowned forest on Yate Lake (outings scheduled every full moon weekend), join a four-day trail along the remote Forgotten Coast or take a one-day trip from Baie de la Somme to Baie des Kaoris to finish with a dip in the rejuvenating hot water springs. Visit www.aventure-pulsion.nc.
GUIDED SNORKELLING TOURS Bernard Andreani, scuba-diving and free-diving instructor, has been a snorkelling guide since 1987 and thrives on sharing his passion of the lagoon
with others. In order to show these underwater wonders to others, he has created a selection of snorkelling tours around Noumea and on the barrier reef; the best way for the whole family to discover the South province’s marine reserves. No need to master scuba-diving techniques. Kids and grandparents alike can snorkel safely on the tours selected by Andreani, equipped only with fins, mask and snorkel. Andreani, who is an excellent English speaker and extremely safety conscious, along with his team welcomes people of all levels and caters especially well to those afraid of the water. They do half and full-day tours and offer group rates. Visit: www.aquanature.nc.
Romantic island escape KIWIS CAN NO W ELOPE TO NE W CALEDONIA
Whether it is for an island wedding, honeymoon or just a romantic break away, New Caledonia offers secluded beaches, quiet bays with crystal clear waters and fine dining with French gourmet cuisine, champagne and wine.
Kiwi couples can now look to New Caledonia as a wedding destination, since laws were passed recently allowing visitors to have their ceremonies officially recognised. The new law enables any couple to apply for a wedding licence in New Caledonia. There are a number of local wedding organisers offering a full service including everything from translation services to the celebrant, marriage certificate, flowers, dress and suit hire. There are some conditions that need to be met under French law, for example couples must have a civil ceremony with witnesses at the local Mairie (town hall) where a speech is made by one of the
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officials and a marriage certificate presented to the spouses. A French-style wedding in the South Pacific offers the best of both worlds and it’s all less than three hours from Auckland. From the exotic, cosmopolitan charm of the capital city Noumea to the seclusion of the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands, the choice is yours. For those wanting something even more special, you can even marry in authentic New Caledonian style in a Melanesian setting. The wedding couple are prepared in the traditional way with traditional massage, don traditional dress and are treated to Kanak dances.
CREDIT: GREGORY TRASTOUR
While holidaying in New Caledonia, clients can take it to the next level and experience some fun and adventurous watersports.
THE ISLE OF PINES
LOYAL DISCOVERIES
White sand beaches, nature walks, historic relics and natural pools are just some of the reasons clients should take a trip out of Noumea to the Isle of Pines. Getting around the island is easy with clients able to hire scooters or motorbikes, use hotel shuttle transfers or ride mountain bikes. Must-sees include the beaches of Kuto Bay and Kanumera Beach as well as Roller Bay in the north which features a coral reef. Another popular stop is Oro Bay, home to a natural swimming pool. Clients will find an array of activities to choose from including canoe adventures, scuba-diving trips and fishing excursions. Accommodation options include Hotel Kodjeue, a two-star property with 37 bungalows and a scuba-diving centre. On Kuto Bay, Hotel Kou Bugny has bungalows, suites and rooms. There is also the four-star Oure Tera Beach Resort and, at the luxury end of the market, Le Meridien Isle of Pines has deluxe rooms and bungalows in the five-star bracket.
The Loyalty Islands of Lifou, Mare and Ouvea feature an array of beaches, caves, vanilla plantations as well as endemic plants. Popular with outdoor lovers, the islands offer boating, diving, fishing and hiking.
CREDIT: GREGORY TRASTOUR
GETTING THERE
ORO BAY
Air Caledonie offers two return flights a day, morning and afternoon. The Betico catamaran links Noumea to the Isle of Pines in two hours, 15 minutes and operates most Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Departures from Noumea are at 7am with the return service leaving the Isle of Pines at 5pm. Visit: www.isle-of-pines.com.
LIFOU Drehu is the local language in Lifou. The beaches and the Xodre Cliffs in the south are a must-see and clients should check out the Hnathalo grande chefferie (high chieftaincy), the Devil’s Cave and Luengöni Cave. There are three hotels on the island as well as tribal accommodation run by native families. MARE The local beaches, the Saut du Guerrier (Warrior’s Leap), the natural aquarium, Pethoen and Padawa Caves, and the Trou de Bone (Bone Hole) are key drawcards. Tribal accommodation is available. OUVEA As well as the Ouvea lagoon and the beaches of Mouli, Fayaoue and Lekiny Bay, recommend clients visit the Hanawa blue hole and the churches of Saint-Joseph. There is one four-star hotel on Ouvea, comprised of 10 bungalows and five villas. Tribal accommodation is also available.
GETTING THERE Mare, Lifou and Ouvea are roughly a 40-minute flight from Noumea, with several flights each day on Air Caledonie. The Betico catamaran also runs services from Noumea to Lifou, Mare and Ouvea several times a week. Visit: www.iles-loyaute.com.
Travel to the heart of New Caledonia and experience hotels like no other. Land, Traditions, Roots, Emotions, Cultural Authenticity, Adventure… are the values on which TERA hotels have been based.
Touho Airport
Koné
These delightful properties with a strong Caledonian identity are located on magical spots along a UNESCO World Heritage listed lagoon and integrate perfectly into their natural environment and local community.
Poindimié
Bourail Tontouta International Airport
Nouméa
Port Boisé
cactus
photo P. Dancel
Ile des Pins
Chic & sleek, absolute beachfront, Romantic South Seas a brand new apartment «boutique» resort in a stunning style hotel on Anse Vata Bay natural setting
Set between lush tropical rainforest & lagoon, in the dramatic Far South
+687 25 78 80 - info@tera.nc - www.tera.nc
Unique design and dream location on the East Coast’s most beautiful beach