Where is New Caledonia?
New Caledonia is the third largest island in the Pacific Region after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. It is located in southern Melanesia, at a latitude of 19° – 23° south and at a longitude of 158° – 172° east. The island is situated about 1,500 km from Australia, 1,700 km from New Zealand, 5,000 km from Tahiti, 7,000 km from Japan, 10,000 km from the West Coast of the USA and 20,000 km from France.
New Caledonia is an overseas dependent of France, and it lies in the Western Pacific in the Coral Sea with Australia to the west and Vanuatu to the east. If you want to go to New Caledonia, then the normal way is to fly to the capital city of Noumea, and you can fly direct from Paris by Air France. New Caledonia is a popular place for Japanese tourists so there are direct flights from Tokyo, as well as Air New Zealand, and Quantas. There aren’t a whole lot of flights, and very little competition so prices will be high. You must have a ticket to leave otherwise they won’t let you in, and you’ll need to check with the airline you are using about visa requirements. Noumea the capital is full of fine French restaurants, designer boutiques, and for all the world is like Paris in the sun, and it is to be found on the west coast of the large cigar shaped main island called Grand Terre. If you visit new Caledonia you really need to go exploring, because although Grande Terre is an exciting pla
