Cheap Flights to Noumea Tontouta Airport

Discover Noumea Tontouta

If you travel to Noumea, you will fly into the La Tontouta International Airport (NOU), which is the primary hub for New Caledonia. This airport is compact, but all your travelling basics are seen to; with free WiFi, currency exchange, ATMs, and a cafeteria represented.  

The airport is 52km from Noumea, so you will need to organise transport into the city, and this can be done with shuttles, buses, and taxis. Taking a taxi into town will come to a fare of approximately 5000CPF ($65).

Aircalin, Air Vanuatu, Air New Zealand, and Qantas are the most regular operators of flights to Noumea from Australia.

Why visit Noumea?

New Caledonia’s capital of Noumea captures the upmarket ease of a resort town, without ever feeling gimmicky or touristy. There are French bistros, hidden bars, designer boutiques, and a great nightlife. This island feels very different from its South Pacific sisters; here you’ll find almost alpine-style forests, along with the denser rainforests, and these soften directly onto golden beaches. Making this destination ideal for holidaymakers that love to hike, or spend their days soaking in the sun on the pristine sands.

Things to do in Noumea

Get to know the spirit of New Caledonia by spending time touring its central city. Tour the marketplaces, pick up some fruit, chat to the locals, and purchase some Caledonian handicrafts, investigate the wares of the Marchémunicipal de Noumea. Visit the Cathedral of Noumea, built by the French in the late 19^th century. Then get a feel for its French side by strolling through Lemon Bay, where you will find much of the restaurants and shops of the city. There’s also a great lookout to Duck Island, and ocean views.

To learn about the culture of this South Pacific Island by going to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, the building itself is really beautiful and modern, and inside you can gain an insight into the local traditions and art through this museum’s collection of artefacts, totems, and huts.

Then delve into the island’s natural attractions, such as snorkelling in the natural aquarium on the Isle of Pines. Or dive beneath the perfect blue waters to discover the underwater landscape of this part of the world.  And don’t forget to pack your beach bag and spend your days lounging in the sunshine on one of the many gorgeous white sand beaches of New Caledonia.

Best time to visit Noumea

·         The best time to visit Noumea is from September to December as the temperatures are regularly in the high 20s and perfect beach weather.

·         For hiking, book your trip in the months between April and August when the days are a bit cooler, sitting at around 17-20°C.

Arriving in Noumea by plane

·         You can find direct routes to Noumea from Sydney (SYD), Brisbane (BNE) and Melbourne (MEL).

Currency

·         CFP France (CFP).

Visa requirements

·         You’ll find that if you travel to New Caledonia, and are an Australian citizen, you will not need a visa, but please be advised you will need a return ticket. More information is provided on the Smart Traveller website, which has a specific page for New Caledonia.

Please note that information is correct as of December 2016