Noumea, New Caledonia
Experience the cosmopolitan Noumea
Discover what it means to mix European chic with tropical heat as you discover the New Caledonia’s mesmerising capital.
Lost in Noumea
Meet comedian Monty Franklin in our next destination video as he discovers Noumea on foot.
The port of Noumea is from where New Caledonia exports most of its nickel ore. It is one of the largest ports P&O Cruises visit in the South Pacific. The city of Noumea is a short distance away from the port. Le Petit Train is one of the most popular ways of getting into Noumea and exploring the city.
The city is spread out over a long distance. The famous Tjbaou Cultural centre, one of the jewels of the South Pacific is an architectural masterpiece and is 20 minutes outside the centre. Many of the other sights are quite a distance apart and tours by motor trike, fun car, bike or helicopter offer the best way to see the city. Some great tours are on offer outside of the city, 4WD in the bush, hiking Mount Koghis, Kayaking the Dumbea River.
Average Temperatures in Noumea (°C)
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| 26°C |
26°C |
25°C |
24°C |
22°C |
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21°C |
22°C |
23°C |
25°C |
Featured Shore Tours from Noumea
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Noumea in a Nutshell NOU-000
The most comprehensive tour of this picturesque peninsular, giving you an easy paced, guided overview of Noumea’s city, hills, bays, beaches and the...
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The Tchou Tchou Train - Yellow NOU-005
Board the Tchou Tchou Train for a guided tour of Noumea. Travel through the city centre and up to Notre Dame de Pacific lookout point. Continue to...
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The Tchou Tchou Train - Bumble Bee NOU-006
Board the Tchou Tchou Train for a guided tour of Noumea. Travel through the city centre and up to Notre Dame de Pacific lookout point. Continue to...
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The Tchou Tchou Train - Wiki Wiki NOU-007
Board the Tchou Tchou Train for a guided tour of Noumea. Travel through the city centre and up to Notre Dame de Pacific lookout point. Continue to...
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Zodiak Ride To Duck Island NOU-010
Enjoy an exhilarating 20 minutes of high speed thrills across to the spectacular marine and island reserve park of Noumea’s Duck Island. Take in the...
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Lagoon Snorkelling Adventure NOU-015
Noumea is surrounded by crystal clear, calm, warm waters; which act as a sanctuary and are teaming with colourful marine life just waiting to be...
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Cagou Bird Sanctuary and Botanical Gardens NOU-025
Escape to the tranquillity of the hills overlooking the city of Noumea. Situated here, at an elevation of 548 feet, Parc Forestier covers 85 acres,...
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Amedee Island Marine Reserve NOU-030
Amedee Island is a tiny coral atoll located just 18 kilometres south of Noumea. After enjoying a scenic transfer by luxury vessel, step ashore and...
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Amedee Island Family Package NOU-033
Family package to Amadee Island - price includes tickets for 2 adults and 2 children (12 and under)
Amedee Island is a tiny coral atoll located...
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More about Noumea
Docking / Disembarkation
Your ship will dock at the terminal gare maritime, rue Jules Ferry in the heart of Noumea. Clothing and souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes and supermarkets are all within close walking distance from the ship.
Taxis
Taxis are widely available from Coconut Square and there is a good public bus system. You might also want to climb aboard one of the petit trains that connect many of Noumea’s most interesting attractions. See the onboard Shore Tour Manager for further information.
Duty Free
If you intend to purchase any Duty Free products while visiting Noumea you MUST bring your passport ashore with you.
Shopping
Where will you begin? Local handicrafts? Kanak artefacts and art? Designer French clothes and gifts? Duty Free products? Chocolates? There is a great deal of choice in Noumea, and much of it is of superb quality. Think about what you really want to buy and concentrate on finding that special something. Please ensure that the items you purchase do not contravene Australia’s or New Zealand’s strict quarantine laws.
Dining
Noumea is perfect for gourmets and gastronomes. There are many quality restaurants specialising in traditional French, Kanak and other regional specialties that utilise local ingredients. The condition and method of preparation of food and drinks cannot be monitored by P&O Cruises. With that in mind, passengers are advised that if they purchase or consume this food, they do so entirely at their own risk.
Climate
The seasons don’t vary too much in New Caledonia. Situated just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the country’s climate is tropical, not unlike that of parts of coastal Queensland. It is warm and humid from November through to April, but the trade winds temper any extremes. Make sure you stay hydrated and sheltered from the sun.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards and charge cards are widely accepted in restaurants, cafés. hotels and stores. ATMs and currency exchanges are located throughout the city. For convenience, you should considering changing money on board the ship before heading into town
Telephones International and Local
Public telephones are available throughout Noumea.
What To Wear Ashore
To make your day ashore as enjoyable as possible, wear comfortable, flat soled shoes, lightweight clothes and a hat, and bring along some sunscreen, insect repellent and bottled water. In cooler months, bring a jacket. It’s also a good idea to bring an umbrella.
Shore Tours
There is a range of tours available for you to get the most out of your time in Noumea. Subject to availability, tours may be pre reserved prior to your cruise departure on the following link www.pocruises.com.au/cruisepersonaliser or booked onboard at the Shore Tours Desk.
Environment
Whatever you decide to do after your visit to Noumea or any island port of call, please bring your rubbish back to the ship with you – that includes dead camera batteries, Thank you.
Note: The information in this page is subject to change without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience, but P&O Cruises cannot accept responsibility for any such alterations. Thank you.
How to book
To take advantage of our fantastic low cost cruises, book now. Visit your travel agent or call 13 24 94 for Australian bookings or 0800 780 716 for New Zealand bookings.
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