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TREASURED ISLANDS: 6 reasons to jump on a plane to New Caledonia

Just a short flight from the Australian east coast, the islands of New Caledonia are close to home and close to paradise.

Just a short flight from the Australian east coast, the islands of New Caledonia are close to home and close to paradise.

 

A South Pacific tropical getaway so close it could almost be a state of Australia, New Caledonia boasts a World Heritage-listed lagoon, natural island beauty and the rich local Kanak culture.

For foodies New Caledonian offers a fusion of France and the South Pacific using only the freshest ingredients from vanilla and tropical fruits to fresh seafood and venison. For adventurers you can trek, snorkel or mountain bike your way across the string of islands or take to the water for a canoe, kayak or sail.

Recently, having launched a new multi-market campaign “From Dream to Reality”, Aussie travellers have the opportunity to win an all-inclusive trip to the island nation. The nine-day road trip will feature a surprise itinerary, the experiences only revealed as the group travels around New Caledonia. Keep an eye on New Caledonia Tourism website and social for more details.

Here are six reasons you should visit our near neighbour, RIGHT NOW:

 

Nouméa

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Stroll the waterfront and get into the gentle rhythm of South Pacific life in the New Caledonian capital. As the centre of commerce and trade, Noumea is diverse and that is reflected in the food, arts and culture of the city.

But it is also a naturally beautiful place, facing as it does onto the huge lagoon and bathed in the tropical sun.

 

The Great South

A unique feature of the south is the scorched red earth that seems like it would be more at home in centre of Australia than on a tropical island. This rich red, the bright blue water and the green of the country’s giant Blue River Provincial Park form the basis of the country’s official colours.

This is where you get your hike on, walking through the drowned forest past giant kaori trees or take the red hills on a bike.

 

Isle of Pines

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The Isle of Pines was first reached by James Cook in 1774 and forms part of the Loyalty Islands chain. Slip into the picture-perfect beauty of one of the jewels of the Pacific and sail in a traditional pirogue across the turquoise waters of legendary Upi Bay.

And pay a visit to Maurice Bay where the statue of St-Maurice is surrounded by tribal carvings, each one an offering from the various families that make up this region.

 

Sarraméa

Make a stop on the edge of the Central Mountain Range in a huge tropical fern forest, before plunging back into the tumultuous history and heritage of the colonial period.

 

Ouvéa

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It is the diving around the Pleiades Reef, combined with miles of beach and acres of coconut plantations that draw visitors to this island.

Walk along the immense white sandy beach and contemplate the crystalline lagoon waters of this archipelago, known as the “closest island to paradise” and home to a host of Kanak tribes.

 

Bourail

Unusual for a tropical island is the “bush” – wide-open plains along the West Coast that appear to have more in common with the American Wild West than a tropical paradise. Here local cowboys drive cattle just a few hundred metres from a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed lagoon. This quirky juxtaposition makes Bourail a special place.

 

Travel today to New Caledonia

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Don’t take our world for it, join the tropical cowboys, the divers, the hikers and even the weekenders (yes, it’s that close!) that choose to travel to New Caledonia.

Check out New Caledonia Tourism’s new marketing campaign in the market “From Dream to Reality”, learn about the different regions and attractions in New Caledonia.

For more information visit newcaledonia.travel

 

READ: Aircalin adds extra services to Noumea
READ: More Aussies are heading to NC for the weekend!

Is New Caledonia on your bucket list?

Written by Paul Chai. KARRYON contributor

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