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City guide

New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a French territory consisting of a group of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 220 km (140 mi) southwest of Vanuatu and 1,210 km (750 mi) east of Australia. Located 16,100 km (10,000 mi) from Metropolitan France, it forms a sui generis collectivity of the French Republic, having a unique legal status enshrined in a dedicated chapter of the French Constitution.

Type Country

Why go

  • French territory in the southwest Pacific Ocean.
  • Served by Touho Airport (TOU).

History

New Caledonia is a French territory consisting of a group of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 220 km (140 mi) southwest of Vanuatu and 1,210 km (750 mi) east of Australia. Located 16,100 km (10,000 mi) from Metropolitan France, it forms a sui generis collectivity of the French Republic, having a unique legal status enshrined in a dedicated chapter of the French Constitution.

Airports

Koné Airport (KNQ) 19 km to the centre
Koné, 02, NC — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Iberworld) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Noumea (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Iberworld TY (ATR, DHT) · 1 route: Noumea

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Touho Airport (TOU) 34 km to the centre
Touho, 02, NC — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Iberworld) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Noumea (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Iberworld TY (DHT) · 1 route: Noumea

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Koumac Airport (KOC) 87 km to the centre
Koumac, 02, NC — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor. ✈ 1 airline (Iberworld) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Noumea, Waala (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 2 direct destinations
  • Iberworld TY (DHT) · 2 routes: Noumea, Waala

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Mueo Airport (PDC) 42 km to the centre
Népoui, 02, NC — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Hienghène Airport 27 km to the centre
Hienghène, 02, NC
Outdoor
Ouaco Airport 47 km to the centre
Ouaco, 02, NC
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
October – March

The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.

Shoulder season
April – May, September

Milder and quieter, with better value.

Worth avoiding
June – August

The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Touho Airport (TOU); 6 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: KOC has direct flights to 2 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Noumea, Waala).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for New Caledonia. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.