Grande Terre

Not to be confused with Grande-Terre in Guadeloupe

Grand Terre is the main island in New Caledonia. It is one of the largest islands in the Pacific. The barrier reef lying off New Caledonia is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in size.

Cities

• 1 Nouméa — the chic, French-influenced capital city of New Caledonia and the only real city of any size
• 2 Boulouparis - on the southwestern side of the island
• 3 Bourail - many rivers come together here; popular with surfers
• 4 Hienghène - located on a bay known for eroded limestone islets
• 5 Koné - provincial seat of North Province
• 6 La Foa - offers many active outdoor activities
• 7 Le Mont-Dore – second largest city in New Caledonia
• 8 Poindimié - seven tiny islets
• 9 Poum - far northwest of island
• 10 Thio - on the eastern side of the island
• 11 Voh - near the enormous Koniambo mine

Other destinations

• 1 Blue River Provincial Park (Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue) – New Caledonia's most visited park

Get in

By plane

• 1 La Tontouta International Airport (NOU ^IATA), Allée Guy Celton, ☏ +687 351118. is New Caledonia's only international airport and the primary point of entry into Noumea. Located in Païta, 52km northwest of Noumea, there are direct flights to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and nearby Pacific islands. Aircalin is the national airline which operates most of the flights, with Qantas, Air New Zealand and Air Vanuatu also operating flights out of the airport. Most visitors from Europe and Asia will connect via Tokyo or Osaka in Japan, while those from North America can connect via Auckland or Papeete. The airport offers free Wi-Fi and a number of eateries and gift shops, which accept both CFP, AUD and sometimes other major worldwide currencies.  

Due to the long distance between the airport and the city centre, connecting transport can be very expensive. The cheapest option by far is a public bus, run by Carsud. Ligne C runs 9-11 times a day each way Monday to Saturday, however only twice a day on Sundays. The journey time is about an hour 20 minutes costing 400 F one-way, departing to the city from just outside the airport terminal on the right, and to the airport from the Desmazures interchange near the bingo centre. A pre-booked shuttle service to your hotel will cost about 3000 F per person; there are a variety of options, but the largest company is Arc en Ciel (+687 27 19 80). A taxi could cost up to 10,000 F.

Go next

• Île des Pins
• The Loyalty Islands