©Road trip to Hienghène, New Caledonia|La Poze

Create a Travel Itinerary

in New Caledonia

A faraway destination, New Caledonia is a vast archipelago with many different faces, offering a great diversity of landscapes and unique experiences. For your clients, the quality of their trip will depend on how well the time spent in each region is planned. Here are our recommendations for building an itinerary that guarantees a varied and unforgettable stay.

Take Time to Explore Wide Open Spaces

New Caledonia is larger than it may seem. With a surface area of 18,575 km² — more than twice the size of Corsica — the archipelago also includes several islands to discover. It is therefore important to anticipate travel times and domestic connections, as distances between towns and islands can be significant.

For this reason, most long-haul travellers from Europe stay two to three weeks, while nearby Australians and New Zealanders generally spend around 10 days.

©View on the lagoon from the Domaine de Deva in Bourail|Meng Xi

Self-Drive Guide & Map

To make planning easier and better understand distances between towns, download our New Caledonia Self-Drive Guide.

Download Now27MB

©Path to the Cliffs of Lékiny in Ouvéa|Marine Reveilhac / NCT

Structure the Itinerary by Region

To balance the discovery of New Caledonia’s main regions and must-see sites, here is a suggested base itinerary:

Start in Nouméa
Allow at least two days for your clients to adjust to the time difference and explore the capital. A day trip to one of the nearby islets is also a very popular option.
Discover the islands
As domestic flights (Air Calédonie) and ferries (Betico) all depart from Nouméa — and to avoid any risk of disruption before the international return flight — begin with a stay on at least one of the paradise islands. We recommend a minimum of two days on the Isle of Pines, Lifou, Ouvéa, or Maré. For shorter trips, day tours or inter-island services can also be arranged.
Tour of Grande Terre
Exploring the main island and its “brousse” (countryside) along both the West and East Coasts takes time. Allow at least four days for a worthwhile loop. Highlights include:
- Farino in the mountain chain
- Bourail on the West Coast plains
- Hienghène on the lush North-East coast
  Add one or two days for those wishing to reach Poum and the untouched Grand Nord (Great North).
Detour into the Great South
More remote and with limited accommodation options, Yaté and Mont-Dore are well worth visiting for their unique red-earth landscapes and nature reserves. Many visitors enjoy the Great South on a day trip from Nouméa — especially the must-see Blue River Park — but it is possible to extend the stay by exploring further along the coast to Prony.

Plan the Grande Terre Road Trip

To make the most of Grande Terre, a road trip is essential, whether by renting a vehicle (in Nouméa or at La Tontouta Airport) or travelling with a guide. The coastal roads are easy to follow and well maintained. Driving is on the right, there are no tolls, and parking is free outside Nouméa.

Where to start?

Travellers usually begin in Nouméa, head north along the West Coast to Koné or Poum, then cross to the East Coast via the Amos Pass or the Koné–Tiwaka road to reach Hienghène. To return to the capital, two scenic routes are available:

Koné–Tiwaka: a picturesque one-hour drive from Poindimié to Koné, crossing three mountain passes.
Col des Roussettes: a longer, winding route from Houaïlou, combining sea views, mountain scenery, and tribal villages.

Both options are worth the journey and the choice depends on the time available.

©Transversal road in the New Caledonian Chain|Oneye Production / NCT

Recommendations for your clients:

Avoid night driving

due to deer crossing on the West Coast.

Refuel in advance

especially in the bush where petrol stations have limited opening hours, even more so on the East Coast.

Bring a small gift

On the East Coast or in the islands, this can be offered as part of the customary ceremony to access certain tribal lands — a memorable cultural experience.

Be Inspired

In New Caledonia, every stage of the trip counts. By following these recommendations, you can create itineraries perfectly adapted to your clients’ expectations and interests.

For further ideas, see our thematic itinerary suggestions:

©Whale Arnaud Elissalde|Terres de Lumière

When to Travel

With its temperate tropical climate, New Caledonia offers good travel conditions all year round. Average maximum temperatures range from 23°C in the cool season (June–September) to 30°C in the warm season (December–March).

Depending on your clients’ interests:

Diving and snorkelling: April to December, when rainfall is lower and water visibility is clearer.
Outdoor activities: September to November, with sunny days and mild temperatures.
Whale watching: July to September.
Events and festivals: Mostly mid-year, including the Bourail Fair in August and numerous Island Festivals from May to November.
Best value: To optimise flight prices and service availability, avoid the peak holiday seasons of December–January and July–August.