Compare hotels in New Caledonia from NZ$184

Is your desktop background a picture of a beautiful tropical isle, loaded with swaying palms and turquoise waters? Or an underwater playground filled with coral and brightly coloured fish? Replace that postcard snap with a real one of your own during a New Caledonia holiday. So where is New Caledonia, besides in your dreams? It’s just across the Coral Sea from Brisbane (about halfway to Fiji), but you’ll feel like you’ve entered a whole different universe.

Things to Do in New Caledonia

Hotels in New Caledonia are in the home of the world’s largest lagoon, so jump in! First mission: Find the Needle of Prony, in the Bay of Prony on the southern tip of the island. This huge stalagmite reaches from the ocean floor to the surface. Even more impressive than its size is how the marine life use it—you’ll see groupers, scorpion fish and more. On the northern coast, head where the sun don’t shine off the coast of Hienghene, where you can explore heart-pounding tunnels and caves.

If caves creep you out or you’re just not in the mood to get wet, you can still make plenty of friends at the Aquarium des Lagons. See a rare unicorn (fish, that is), then dig even deeper to find the creepy tendrils of the chambered nautilus, a deep-sea combination of hermit crab and squid that just might haunt your dreams. In another exhibit, enter the ocean’s version of a rave: fluorescent coral provide the glow sticks, and flashlight fish bring the light show. You’ll wish you could bring the party back to your New Caledonia accommodation.

Getting To & Around New Caledonia

Put your sunnies on for arrival, because you’ve never seen this many shades of sparkling blue and green. Flights to New Caledonia land at La Tontouta International Airport (NOU), about 40 km north of the capital city of Noumea. Your adventure begins right away, as the island is still a relatively uncharted destination. The easiest way to get to get to your lodging is to arrange a ride ahead of time: most of our New Caledonia hotels will be happy to pick you up. Prefer to travel in an air-conditioned bubble of comfort? lastminute.com.au’s crazy-good car hire deals from the airport and the city of Noumea are also a great option.

Best Time to Travel

New Caledonia has mild weather thanks to its position near the Tropic of Capricorn, so the air temperature typically hovers in the mid-20s to low 30s, and lack of vitamin D is certainly not a problem here! There are festivals throughout the year as well: You can shake it like Beyoncé at the Salsa and Latin Dance Festival in the spring, and there’s nothing bland about the Vanilla Festival in the autumn.

It’s time to step away from the computer, shed the smartphone and leave behind the water cooler gossip. But first, search lastminute.com.au for the best deals on accommodation in New Caledonia. From shotgun honeymoons to “just finished that big project” celebrations, we always have your back.