Planning Your First, and Definitely Not Your Last, Vacation in New Caledonia
You've
visited all the major tourist attractions Eastern Australia has to
offer or at least the ones your family has been dying to see and
experience. You're now ready to explore an entirely new culture;
luckily for your group, there's an archipelago and group of small
islands off the coast of Australia in the Coral Sea that is a short
plane or boat ride away.
Brush
up on your French, because New Caledonia is a dependent French
territory found just east of Australia and west of another popular
tourist destination, Vanuatu. No matter if you're completely
unfamiliar with this island chain, or consider New Caledonia your
family's destination of choice; there are many adventure sports and
activities waiting for you to enjoy.
Sailing
New
Caledonia features the world's largest lagoon, making it the ideal
time to try out your sea legs. If you're sailing your boat from the
coast of Australia to New Caledonia, be aware that there are several
marinas scattered across the islands, but each has its own rules and
regulations. For instance, there are several marinas on the southern
islands don't allow ships longer than 15 feet to moor. More
realistically, you'll probably charter a small boat to either enjoy
the warm waters for a single day or several weeks. There are also
water taxis available to transport you between islands. Whatever your
preference, there are opportunities to enjoy sailing, swimming and
even whale watching, all along the shores of New Caledonia.
Hiking
No
matter what your fitness level, there are several hiking trails and
scenic walking trails scattered across New Caledonia. Amongst the
most popular for tourists and locals alike is the Grande Randonnee,
or “great hiking trail,” which is located 120 kilometers from the
city of Dumbea. The trail is perfect for horseback riding, hiking and
it also doesn't hurt that the area is certified by the French Hiking
Federation, meaning its quality is top-notch. Another amazing option
on New Caledonia's west coast is the Parc Provincial des Grandes
Fougeres, or the Provincial Park of Grand Ferns. Spanning eight
kilometers through a plush rainforest, the hiking and biking trails
are also equipped to handle ATVs. Consider this shorter trail if
you're traveling with small children, as there are plenty of spots
available to rest your feet or grab a quick picnic lunch.
Golfing
Forget
Australia, when you're ready for a real golfing holiday; instead,
take a short plane trip or boat ride to New Caledonia, and make your
way directly to any of the archipelago's numerous world-class golf
courses. Amongst them is the Tina Golf Course, which is conveniently
located a few miles outside of Noumea, and aside from featuring
amazing greens, the course also lies at the foothills of the Tijibaou
Cultural Centre.
When You're Ready for a Real Challenge
If
you've explored every outdoor adventure New Caledonia has to offer,
but still haven't quenched your insatiable need for adrenaline, there
are many other ways to raise your heart rate. Aside from skydiving
over the Coral Sea, there's also a perennial favorite amongst the
locals and returning tourists, the Accrobranche. This cavalcade of
extreme sports challenges basically keeps you on your toes for
several hours and features a variety of high-flying new adventures,
including zip-lining through the island's tropical rain forest.
Life on New Caledonia
You've
had your fill of sailing, scuba diving, hiking and zip-lining and are
now ready to make your way to a fabulous restaurant, and enjoy a
peaceful night relaxing in your hotel room. If you don't mind digging
deeply into your pocketbook, there are a number of fabulous French
restaurants in New Caledonia's larger cities, and resorts. For a less
extravagant meal, head to a local farmer's market and sample the
island's amazing fruits and vegetables. As far as lodging, you'll
need to do your homework to find an amazing deal. New Caledonia is a
tourist destination at heart, and relies heavily on outside revenue
to support the local economy. This being stated, with a little
diligence, and some luck, it's possible to snag an amazing deal at
one of New Caledonia's top resorts.
Now that you've enjoyed learning about the many things to see and do on various New
Caledonia holidays, it's time to start thinking about your next
vacation. The island chain is small, but there's a good chance you
missed some of the lesser-known attractions and activities.
About
the Author: Janet
Freeman is a guest blogger and is currently planning another vacation
in New Caledonia.
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