Nouméa Escape – French Flair in the South Pacific

Effortlessly combining the breathtaking beauty of the South Pacific with the elegance of Europe, Nouméa, New Caledonia, is a captivating cosmopolitan capital. Lined with magnificent beaches, beautiful waterways and no shortage of breathtaking vantage points, a visit to the New Caledonian capital reveals some of the incredible reasons why this corner of the globe shouldn’t be missed. From engaging cultural attractions, there’s so much to see and do across the unforgettable oceanside city of Nouméa. With a 3.5-hour flight from Sydney, this Pacific Paradise located on Australia’s doorstep will be the perfect getaway that wont take long to reach.
Day 1 (D) SYDNEY/BRISBANE TO NOUMEA
Saturday 17th Oct 26
Welcome to our fascinating tour to Noumea in New Caledonia! We meet at the airport ready to board our direct Aircalin flight to Noumea. The flight takes approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes. On arrival our coach operator will meet us for the transfer to the stunning Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences that overlooks the beautiful Anse Vata Beach. Following check in we meet again for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Refreshments inflight
ACCOMMODATION: Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences, NOUMEA
Day 2 (BLD) AMEDEE ISLAND
Sunday 18th Oct 26
The Amedee lighthouse towers 56 metres above the small island, which is only 400 metres long and 270 metres wide, 24 kilometres from Noumea. In 1861, due to the many shipwrecks of boats entering the lagoon, Paris ordered a lighthouse to be built for Noumea. Mr. Rigolet, a French engineer from the Eiffel Tower workshops in Paris, started to work on this outstanding monument in 1862. After ten months of intense work by military personnel and local workers, it was erected on the Amedee Island. It was first illuminated on the 15th of November 1865, the Saint’s Day of the Empress Eugenie, Napoleon III’s wife. Its light clearly shows the entrance to the passage of Boulari, one of only three natural passages through the coral reef surrounding New Caledonia. We depart Noumea after an early breakfast and take the 40-minute crossing where we can take some time to explore everything the island has to offer. Included in our days outing is a Glass Bottom Boat trip, buffet lunch, cultural dance show and demonstrations of Coconut grafting and Sarong tying. The Lighthouse is open for anyone wanting to climb to the top, but there are many stairs and there is an extra cost for entry. Our cruise returns around 4.30 pm. Dinner at Marmite & Tire-Bouchon Restaurant, currently one of the most popular restaurants in Nouméa for fine dining.
Day 3 (BL) NOUMEA
Monday 19th Oct 26
We have a leisurely start this morning. Following a beautiful buffet breakfast, we take a short stroll to board our specially chartered Tchou Tchou Train for a tour of Noumea. Sit back and relax as we visit many of the popular tourist lookouts and sights as we make our way on a circuit around Noumea with a local guide giving commentary in English. Now that we have familiarised ourselves with the town, we head back to Anse Vata where we enjoy our lunch. This afternoon is totally free to become acquainted with what’s on offer at our hotel. We’re located right on the beach so perhaps take a swim in the ocean or one of the two pools. Walk through the parklands or the waterfront and check out the nearby specialty shops and supermarket. Enjoy your afternoon! We meet up in the evening for a Wine & Cheese Tasting at the Chai Hippodrome.
Dinner at own expense and arrangement
Day 4 (BD) NOUMEA SIGHTSEEING
Tuesday 20th Oct 26
Following breakfast, we meet our local English-speaking guide for a coach tour through Noumea where we can hear more of the local history and interesting facts before stopping in Port Moselle for some free time to look through the small markets. We then visit the Maritime Museum of New Caledonia followed by the WW2 Museum. We return to our hotel this afternoon where we have some time out—enjoy a siesta, a swim in the ocean or perhaps lounge around the pool. This evening, we take a short walk to Le Roof Restaurant that is situated looking out toward Anse Vata Bay. This will be a wonderful location for our dinner.
Lunch at own expense and arrangement
Day 5 (BLD) BOURAIL & FORT TEREMBA
Wednesday 21st Oct 26
Today we depart Noumea for a day of sightseeing to the north and east. Bourail is on the western coast of the island of New Caledonia and is home to the New Zealand War Cemetery. It was constructed by the New Zealand authorities for the burial of members of the New Zealand and other Forces who died in this area during WWII, and the remains of about 200 casualties were concentrated into the cemetery from 14 other islands in the South Pacific area. From here we head into Bourail and visit the Bourail Museum and this afternoon head to Moindou for a visit to Fort Teremba, the former jail and headquarters of the French army overlooking the sea and extending over 11 hectares. Depending on their sentences or conduct, convicts received a plot of land to resettle in New Caledonia, at the expense of the Melanesians. The anger of the dispossessed mounted, exploding in the Kanak revolt of 1878, led by the legendary chief Atai. Téremba came under siege but was never taken. The centre was reinforced by the construction of a fort in the penal colony. This story is told in part by the permanent exhibition that is now installed inside the fort. We spend time looking through the Fort and surrounding areas before returning to our hotel late afternoon. Dinner is at L’entrecôte 360°, a revolving restaurant, offering staggering views over Nouméa.
Day 6 (BD) NOUMEA SIGHTSEEING
Thursday 22nd Oct 26
Our local guide joins us this morning for some further sightseeing and touring around Noumea with visits to Maison de la Perle and the lookout at Ouen Toro. For something unique we visit one of the largest supermarkets in Noumea to see the huge range of cheese, bakery items and smallgoods, before arriving at Lemon Bay in time to purchase lunch. Lemon Bay is known for its calm waters and lounging in the shade under the large banyan trees that surround it. It’s a favourite spot for the locals to come to enjoy a wine, take a walk while enjoying a tasty ice cream or just to relax on the beach. Our afternoon visit is to the Noumea Aquarium - Aquarium des Lagons Nouvelle Caledonie. With its multiple different tanks, you can admire a collection of phosphorescent corals unique in the world. The aquarium also boasts a garden featuring a turtle pool. When we return to our hotel, we’ll have time for some last-minute shopping or to relax. We meet up in the evening for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Lunch at own expense and arrangement
Day 7 (BLD) ILOT MAITRE
Friday 23rd Oct 26
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning and a little free time before we transfer to the Port of Moselle and board the transfer boat for the crossing to the Doubletree by Hilton Îlot Maître. Located just a 20-minute boat ride away from Noumea, the resort is surrounded by a protected 200-hectare marine reserve and has the luxurious over water Bungalows commonly seen in the Maldives or Bora Bora. Here we will enjoy a buffet lunch and day use of all the resort facilities. Mid afternoon we return to Noumea and transfer back to the Hotel with the remainder of the afternoon free. Tonight, we enjoy our final dinner and its possibly an early night in readiness for our early start tomorrow.
Day 8 (B) HEADING HOME
Saturday 24th Oct 26
Having had a wonderful holiday, we now prepare for our return home. We have an early start with a continental breakfast delivered to our rooms. We check out of our hotel and make our way to the La Tontouta International Airport. Arriving home to complete a wonderful South Pacific holiday.
Tour Inclusions
• 7 night’s Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences
• 7 breakfast at hotel
• 6 Dinners – see below and 1 at leisure day 3
• 4 included lunches see below
• Return Coach Transfer from Noumea Airport to Hilton Noumea
• Buffet Dinner in La Terrasse Restaurant
• Amedee Island Day Tour. Includes return coach transfer to Port Moselle, Cruise to Amedee Island, buffet lunch and glass bottom boat on island
• Return Dinner transfers and A La Carte Dinner at Marmite & Tire-Bouchon Restaurant
• Train Tour of Noumea
• Lunch at L'equilibre Restaurant
• Wine and Cheese Tasting
• Discover Noumea half day Tour. Includes local English-speaking guide, entry to Maritime Museum, WW2 Museum and Coach content
• Dinner at Le Roof Restaurant including glass of champagne
• Day tour to Bourail with English Speaking Guide includes NZ War Cemetery, Bourail Museum, Fort Teremba
• Picnic lunch included day 5
• Dinner at Lentrecote 360 Restaurant
• Discover Noumea includes entry to Aquarium
• Buffet Dinner at La Terrasse Restaurant
• Day Tour to Double Tree Ilott Maître, includes Ferry transfers and Buffet lunch
• Buffet Dinner at La Terrasse Restaurant
• Coach transfers to Sydney return
• Flights & Taxes, Sydney – Noumea - Sydney
Confirmed Accommodation
• Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences (7 nights)
Please Note
• Price is based on a minimum of 15 passengers. If numbers fall below 15 paying passengers, this may need to be recosted.
• Price is valid for above tour dates only and includes GST.
• Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.
$7,338 pp twin share | plus $1,586 pp single sup | $1,000 deposit per person
For more information or to book;
Phone 02 6583 3330
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.portbus.com.au
The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Port Bus reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Port Bus will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.