Australians were the second-biggest market for this idyllic island nation. But after unrest in May last year,all tourism ground to a halt.
Noumea offers a genuine taste of France incredibly close to Australia – closer than Cairns is from Sydney,in fact.
A fine reason for visiting Noumea,the capital of French territory New Caledonia,is its variety of Gallic culinary delights.
The Pacific’s version of the Sydney Opera House,this remarkable building is on our doorstep but remains relatively unknown.
Going beyond the croissant,a trip to New Caledonia proves a chance to find a drowned forest and the endangered kagu,the island’s flightless bird.
New Caledonia is so close to Australia it should be a more popular destination,especially considering the way its airline impresses.
We don’t have to go far to escape to destinations completely unlike our own,that offer unique experiences we can’t get on the other side of the equator.
It’s not the length but what you do with it when it comes to a great holiday,and these short domestic and overseas trips are fab – and,crucially,fuss-free.
One year in Noumea has turned into 25 for this expat.
The seats are comfy,the service impeccable and the plane so new it's squeaky clean.