Where is New Caledonia
New Caledonia is located in the western section of the South Pacific between Vanuatu and Australia. Travel to New Caledonia is easy - just 2 hours 30 minutes flight from Sydney so is a convenient holiday destination for many Australians and New Zealanders. New Caledonia has seven islands, comprising the very large cigar-shaped island of Grande Terre, while the others are much smaller offshore islands. Most tourism activity is on the western side of the main island, with the capital Nouméa on the southern end of this coastline. It was colonialised by the French in the mid-19th century and has been likened to a South Pacific version of the Riviera, with modern hotel accommodation, fine restaurants, and smart boutiques.
New Caledonia is unique in that instead of a volcanic origin, it was actually a segment of the southern continent that separated in eons past. Grande Terre is the third largest island in the South Pacific after PNG and New Zealand. Latitude 19° - 23° south and longitude 158° - 172° east.
Getting to New Caledonia: Distances are 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 Attractions
What New Caledonia has to offer
* Well-established New Caledonia tourism infrastructure
* New Caledonia lodging and vacation rentals include a wide range of resorts, hotels, and other options from low-cost up to 5-star. Suitable for honeymoons, weddings, family and budget travelers. Many great specials and packages, including all inclusive packages.
* French style cafés and fine New Caledonia restaurants feature many different cuisines.
* Boutiques and Parisian style designer label shops
* Easy access from Australia's east coast
* Flora, Fauna and Marine species unique to New Caledonia
* White sandy New Caledonia beaches and Mountain Retreats
* Grande Terre has a fringing reef forming the largest lagoon in the world
* Opportunity to explore indigenous traditional Melanesian Kanak culture on the eastern side of Grande Terre
* Mostly English is spoken. A few words of French can be fun to employ! Melanesian language is also heard.
* A vast array of New Caledonia activities, watersports and adventure travel
* New Caledonia's semi-tropical climate makes it perfect for those who find the full tropical climate a bit warm and humid.
There are many more unique and interesting features of New Caledonia to explore and enjoy
Bonjour and Welcome to Nouvelle Caledonie (New Caledonia) !
New Caledonia Island
Long Island
The three resorts include: Club Crocodile, Peppers Palm Bay and South Long Island Nature Lodge.
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Peppers Palm Bay is a boutique resort that boasts no telephones or TV's and caters to a maximum of 42 guests.
South Long Island Nature Lodge is located on Paradise Bay and promotes connection with nature to a maximum of 12 guests. There's also a camping ground located at Sandy Bay on the western side of the island.
Nearest Airport: Hamilton Island ( 18 Kilometres )Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/long-island/index.cfm
Hook Island
Hook Island is mostly national park and boasts beautiful beaches and walking tracks. Make sure to try the track that leads to Butterfly Bay, so named because of its unique shape and the butterflies which swarm around its shores.
There are also two magnificent five kilometre fjord-like inlets, Nara and Macona, cut into the southern end of Hook Island to provide a spectacular anchorage for yachts.
There are a couple accommodation options on Hook: camping at several sites around the island or the resort at Hook Island Wilderness Resort.
Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/hook-island/index.cfm
Hamilton Island
Set amidst pristine surroundings, Hamilton Island offers a multitude of activities to participate in and luxurious accommodation options to suit the most discerning traveller. You'll be spoiled for choice with sea-kayaking, game fishing, scenic helicopter flights and 'Breakfast with the Koalas' at the Koala Gallery. Of course, you might simply want to concentrate on doing nothing at all, and lay around one of the pools or simply relax on the beach. Hamilton Island is also a gateway to other gems in the Whitsundays including Heart Reef, Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach.
Every taste and budget is accounted for on Hamilton Island. From the luxurious and intimate beachfront setting of the Beach Club to the sweeping views of the Coral Sea at The Reef View Hotel. If it's a little more independence you're after, you can choose from the Polynesian style Palm Bungalows or the Palm Terraces which are both ideal for families. All accommodation has easy access to the beach, restaurants and resort centre.
Carlisle Island
Carlisle Island is a hilly continental island with dense eucalypt forestand rainforest in gullies. The island is 518 hectares of National Park and is surrounded by fringing coral reef, allowing snorkellers the opportunity to walk off the beach into the water and view coral and tropical fish. Sandbank access to Brampton Island is at low tide.
Booking for camping on the island is essential; access to the island is via private boat or water taxi with Brampton Island. Transfers from Brampton Island to Carlisle Island are available by prior arrangement with the resort.Campers and visitors to the island need to be self sufficient, please ensure you take water and a gas barbecue as fires are not permitted on the island. Other island facilities include picnic tables, sheltered shed, toilets and drinking water. Permits need to be obtained from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for camping.
St Bees Island
Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/st-bees-island-9005394/index.cfm
Lindeman Island
Lindeman Island has seven stunning beaches with Gap Beach a fantastic location for snorkelling and oystering. Golden orchids grow on the mangroves at the end of the beach and over 90 species of birds dart through the trees.
Dolphins can often be spotted from the shore all throughout the year. While during whale-watching season from July to November, Humpback whales can often be seen as well.
Lindeman Island is also home of Australia's first Club Med Resort. There are plenty of activities on offer for you to do as little as much as you'd like on your holiday. There is also a camping ground at Boat Port in the north of the island.
Lindeman Island combines natural beauty with sophistication and style for a truly memorable holiday experience.
Nearest Airport: Hamilton Island ( 30 Kilometres ) Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/lindeman-island/index.cfm
Hayman Island
On a sparkling sunny day the colour of the water of Hayman's lagoon and Whitsunday Passage are simply stunning - the hues range from turquoise to emerald and sapphire. There's excellent snorkelling directly off one of the beaches on Hayman in Blue Pearl Bay. Some argue this is the best beach snorkelling in the Whitsundays.
At the resort, all rooms have magnificent views of the Whitsundays or the tropical landscaped gardens. Visitors receive the best of both worlds, combining magnificence with the natural beauty of a tropical paradise. The most discerning traveller will be satisfied, but most likely delighted, at the luxurious amenities at the resort.
Nearest Airport: Hamilton Island ( 15 Kilometres )Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/hayman-island/index.cfm
Daydream Island Australia
Source :http://www.holiday-whitsundays.com/locations/daydream-island.php
Daydream Island
You'll be able to snorkel directly off the beach to the fringing reef or go sea kayaking, water skiing or even windsurfing. There are also several walking tracks on the island for you to explore. The centre and highest point of the island is a small but dense jungle of tropical vegetation inhabited by parrots and tiny sunbirds.
Daydream Island Resort occupies the majority of the island and offers many activities and impressive facilities including an excellent mini-golf putt-putt course.
To get there you can fly direct to nearby Hamilton Island Great Barrier Reef Airport from most Australian cities and transfer to Daydream Island by ferry. Or fly into Proserpine/Whitsunday Coast Airport, travel by coach to Shute Harbour, and then by ferry over to Daydream Island.
Nearest Airport: Hamilton Island ( 12 Kilometres ) Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/daydream-island/index.cfm
Brampton Island, The Whitsundays
Located at the southern end of the world-renowned Whitsunday Island Passage, 32km North-East of Mackay and 50km South of Hamilton Island, Brampton Island is the ideal haven for couples seeking a romantic escape. This large and beautiful National Park Island is surrounded by sparkling azure waters, twelve golden sandy beaches, coral gardens and an array of National Park walking and jogging tracks - each affording spectacular views or the perfect secluded beach for a romantic picnic.
With fewer rooms than many of the resorts at the nearby Whitsunday Group of Islands, and with no day trippers to interrupt the peace and solitude, you will undoubtedly find a special place for you and your partner to be truly as one. To reconnect with your true self and your partner, we simply recommend you leave the kids at home! Brampton is all about fun, reward, romance, adventure or pure escapism.
Brampton has twelve beautiful beaches, with seven being easily accessible via the National Park walking trails. Just off shore is a diverse range of fringing reefs where you can discover an amazing array of marine life and soft and hard corals. After an adventure of snorkelling and exploring, treat yourself and your partner to a rejuvenating massage, facial, or body wrap in The Sea Spa.
Brampton has a rhythm of its own and there are activities to enjoy at every imaginable tempo - from fast and furious water sports and heart-thumping sports activities, to relaxing by the pool or enjoying a rejuvenating massage. As the sun sets, the fun continues and we invite you to join in the lively atmosphere of our theme nights and live entertainment.
The Brampton Island team is delighted to assist you with planning your days and arranging your activities. It's your choice to do it all or do nothing at all.
Source: http://www.brampton-island.com/
Brampton Island
Nestled amidst lush landscaped gardens, Brampton Island has an intimate 106 room resort overlooking the Cumberland Group of Islands. There are stunning salt-water and fresh-water pools to laze by, entertainment and a host of land and water based activities - most included in the tariff.
Brampton Island has an abundance of native bush and wildlife, including kangaroos. Explore the island on a leisurely bushwalk through the National Park. Snorkelling safaris exploring Brampton's coral gardens are one of the many ways to enjoy the remarkable blue waters of the Whitsundays and guests can also sail a catamaran, take out a paddle ski or simply laze in a beachside hammock and savour the tropical setting.
Nearest Highway: Bruce Highway Nearest Airport: Brampton Island ( 100 Metres )Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/brampton-island/index.cfm
South Molle Island
South Molle is a hilly continental island with undulating grasslands, lush pockets of rainforest, secluded bays and fringing reefs. The Molle Islands are virtually joined along a causeway so you can walk across to Mid Molle almost anytime.
Keswick Island
Keswick Island offers divers a unique diving experience, there are very few places in the world where you can experience world class diving and a scenic flight rolled into one, and one of the few places in Australia where you have the potential to dive three wreck sites all from within half an hour of the island.
The sheltered bays of Keswick Island are home to colourful coral gardens and a myriad of tropical fish that rates amongst the best in the Great Barrier Reef. People who visit the island can walk off sandy shores to snorkel in their own coral garden.
Being that the islands is mostly (80 per cent) National Parks, there are several walking treks that lead to secluded beaches with beautiful views along the way.
Keswick Island in still being developed, currently the only visitor accommodation is the Keswick Island Guesthouse and Bed and Breakfast, which means guest's to the island will have their own Tropical Island Paradise to enjoy.
There is another Bed and Breakfast under development as well as two resorts.
Access to the island is via a twice daily flight or charter boat, or by private boat.
Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/keswick-island-9005307/index.cfm
Cumberland Island
The Cumberland Island Group lies protected inside the Great Barrier Reef off the coast from Mackay. Much of the coastline is rocky and indented; hoop pines silhouetted against the skyline on rocky headlands typify these scenic continental islands. Pearl coloured beaches are strewn with limestone fragments from hard coral. The fauna on the island includes the majestic white-bellied sea eagle and smaller osprey soars above the cliffs and rocky shores and reefs. A walk through the forest behind the beach may reveal orange-footed scrub fowl nest mounds up to three metres high. These islands are also important rookies for flat back and green turtles. St Bees Island also has a colony of koala habitats.
Within the Cumberland Island Brampton, Carlisle, Scawfell, Goldsmith, Cockermouth, Keswick, and St Bees are all national park islands. Camping is allowed by permit on Goldsmith, Carlisle, Cockermouth, Scawfell and St Bees islands. St Bees Island also has a basic share accommodation house and Keswick Island has a Bed and Breakfast Guesthouse and two resorts.
Facilities are not provided on islands in the Cumberland Group except for Goldsmith which has a toilet, barbecue and tables. Campers must be self-sufficient including water. Access to the less developed southern islands is from Mackay or Seaforth by private boat charter. Brampton Island is the only island that operates a regular boat service, the resort on Brampton will take campers to Carlisle by prior arrangement. An air service operates to Keswick Island twice daily. Sailing, snorkelling and diving trips also regularly operate to Keswick, Scawfell and St Bees Island.
Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/cumberland-island-group-9005391/index.cfm
Bedarra Island
Source: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/islands/bedarra-island/index.cfm
Hamilton Island
