A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Just a three-hour flight from Sydney and perfect for a long weekend adventure, an escape to French-influenced New Caledonia will rejuvenate your mind, body & soul.

Just a three-hour flight from Sydney and perfect for a long weekend adventure, an escape to gorgeous, French-influenced New Caledonia is sure to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

Having been annexed to France in 1853, and then becoming a French overseas territory in 1956, New Caledonia today is a Melanesian land with a diverse mix of influences. Its population of fewer than 300,000 people consists of 40 per cent native Kanak people, as well as citizens of European, Polynesian, Southeast Asian and North African descent – a varied cultural mix meaning visitors can enjoy a truly unique destination.

While French is the country’s official language, more than 28 native dialects are spoken across the four archipelagos. And although deliciously fresh seafood is as abundant as you’d expect for a tropical island nation, you can just as easily pack a picnic of pâté, truffles and French cheese.

The beautiful archipelago in the South Pacific is the ideal place to do as much or as little as you’d like. From taking it slow, sipping on champagne under swaying palm trees; to taking the adrenaline level up a notch in the magnificent natural playground. You can laze about in a natural pool at Oro Bay, or for the more active, surf the reef break in Bourail, kayak through a drowned forest in the Blue River Provincial Park, jet ski between islets, go horse riding on the West Coast, or snorkel with turtles in the Loyalty Islands – just to get you started.

Accompanying these activities is a vibrant calendar of events, from world-class culinary festivals to truly memorable cultural experiences, designed to showcase the incredible variety of experiences on offer in New Caledonia. For the music lovers, the Blackwoodstock Rock & Art Festival will showcase an amazing selection of local and international artists. Runners can enjoy the stunning courses of the XTERRA New Caledonia Trail Run and Ultra Trail Race, and foodies can feast on over 130 artisanal cheeses at the French Cheese Festival.

No matter what sort of getaway you’re after, you’re sure to have the trip of a lifetime in New Caledonia.