The Isle of Pines or Kunie as it is still called by its inhabitants is 14 km wide and 8km long – and is as beautiful underwater as it is above. Here, locals and visitors-in-the-know live according to the sun. Stress forbidden; chillaxing mandatory.
If few people know where New Caledonia is, at least the locals and visitors know about the Isle des Pins that has been open to luxury-escape tourism for 20 years.
Isle of Pines – Ile des Pins – L’Ile des Pins – Kunie – New Caledonia
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Hotel Le Lagon Noumea is a 3-star hotel with newly-designed rooms, suites and a spa. Breakfast is included in the tariff so be sure to fuel up at this first-rate indoor-outdoor cafe off the lobby, with beautiful South Pacific decor and artwork. The food is artfully presented, fresh and yummy. Blows away your opinion of hotel restaurants. This one’s only open for breakfast, so you can indulge in local restaurants and gourmet shops for lunch and dinner.
The rooms, too, have a fresh, modern appeal and kitchenettes, in case you want to have a French loaf, cheese and wine on the terrace after a full day of beach bumming, shopping, or museum visiting.
“From the moment I arrived, I knew there was something special about this unpretentious boutique hotel on a side street very near the main road running along the bay. The staff spoke English and they were able to respond to my questions about Homo-Sphere and directions to the dance club holding a LGBT celebration that very weekend. I suspected I would see more than one staffer at MV Lounge after hours.” – Dee Farrell, RainbowTourism Concierge
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New Caledonia is a fascinating melting pot of the thousand-year-old Kanak culture blended with European style and elegance. It relishes its French way of life on a little known and tiny island in the South Pacific.
Natural swimming pool down the beach from the resort and campground.
As the first-ever contingent of gay and lesbian travel agents and writers descended on Nouvelle Caledonie, love was in the air.
They loved the weather, the friendly locals, the gourmet moments, the waterfront hotel, the lagoon, the Homo-Sphere gang, the Kanak dancers, everything down to the Isle of Pines adventure set up by New Caledonia Tourism operators.
Noon Thursday: Depart Sydney International Airport for 2.5 hour flight to Tartongua International Airport.
Arrive 3pm: Noumea Discovery Transport takes 45 min. to get to our Best Western Premier Hotel on Anse Vata Bay. Nico, our bilingual tour guide, making the mountain to sea scenic drive more interesting, and setting the stage for our active weekend visit, including a dance party with Rainbow theme for the Australian delegation. But first…a welcome reception with Kanak performers and French hors d’oeuvres.
9am -9pm Friday
City bus tour of historic and shopping areas, water taxi to Duck Island (a coral outcrop in the turquoise lagoon, visible from the hotel), and afternoon visit to the Tjibaou Culutral Centre, the outstanding museum of Kanak Culutre. Late night dinner at the bustling restaurant and club district on Lemon Bay, where the entire wait staff appeared to be gay.
7am – 7pm Saturday
A 20-minute flight over the world’s largest and bluest lagoon ends on the Isle of Pines, which is idyllic, indulgent and a picturesque tropical paradise. Three, four and five-star hotels and fancy yachts house the tourists. As day-trippers, we were treated to a lobster barbecue on the beach and a swim in a natural pool of coral and colourful fish, eels and urchins.
8pm -3 am After dinner at Le Roof on the pier, and cocktails at the Homo-Sphere Community Centre, the group made its weary way to the premiere dance club, MV Lounge. Many caught their second wind, and managed to catch the early morning bus back to the airport.
Wind and Kite Surfing Capital of the South Pacific
Is a short but sweet weekend in Noumea for you? Leave your laptop at home, speak French in under 3 hours, and play your heart out in New Caledonia. Just ask Rainbow Tourism how to find your joi de vive!
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Whether you’re a certified scuba diver, avid snorkeler, beach bum or are the chaise lounge – good book – cool drink by the pool – sun worshiper type, you will fall prey to Noumea’s water pull.
My most recent tryst was a Water Odyssey to Grand Terre, the main island of the New Caledonia archipelago. My deluxe room at Le Parc Hotel (part of the GLP Group of Hotels in Noumea) came with a very spacious, round tub in which to soak away the travel grime before heading to the centerpiece of the Nouvata hotel-restaurant complex – the two-tiered pool (the largest pool in New Caledonia). It gets “the most unique hotel swimming pool award” in my personal travels.
If that pre-sunset experience and free water yoga class weren’t stellar enough, I managed to cross the street in my Crocs to stare at the most beautiful and largest lagoon on the World Heritage list. I knew I’d be back early in the morning to take a water taxi out to the reef for snorkeling with the rainbow-coloured fish, eels, coral, and with luck, turtles.
NEW CALEDONIA | D E S T I N A T I O N S T A T I O N
Le Parc (the first hotel to be built on the bay and refurbished by Nouvata in 2008), is for those who want spaciousness in a room without a big pricetag. The reception area is sumptuous and expansive, too, and this is where the internet kiosks are located. I enjoyed the view from my private balcony, complete with a fresh-baked bagette, rich camembert and fruit, and bottle of inexpensive French wine. I would save the hotel’s restaurant and bar for another day.
To receive additional information, contact the Rainbow Concierge who has just returned from a site inspection trip to Noumea.
Visit NewCaledonia.RainbowTourism.com, GayTravel.org, The L Word in Travel, and Rainbow Tourism Gay and Lesbian Travel blog.
See what we say about New Caledonia: Rainbow Tourism Twitter, Rainbow Tourism Facebook, Rainbow Tourism You Tube
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The Rainbow Tourism Recommendation for a few days of playing, dining or passing the time till sunset is Ramada Plaza Noumea. With this four-star hotel and spa as your base, you can enjoy unique experiences found no where else on earth – not to mention the best gourmet experience outside of France.
The newly built hotel is located in the best sector of the capital city, right on Noumea’s most popular beach along the Promenade. Your room is just steps away from Anse Vata Bay and an avenue of shops, seafood and French cuisine restaurants, and wine bars with live music.
Even if you ferry, speedboat or paddle across the bay to a private islet, you won’t get lost. The unique round towers of the Ramada can be spotted easily – which helps if you’ve been disoriented by the sun and a lazy day on Duck Island and are headed back to shore by water taxi asking “Where am I?”
You’re in paradise, and your oasis is at the Ramada. Locals know about L’Oasis Restaurant and Le Rendez-Vous Bar, which is very popular for business lunches.
My favorite was the panorama revolving Restaurant 360 up top; definitely for the fine wine and fine dine crowd. Let’s face it, food is one of the top reasons people visit superb places like Noumea, which rightfully boasts one of the best French gourmet experiences outside of France.
More questions about New Caledonia and the resorts and restaurants of Noumea in the Southern Province?
Ask the recently returned Rainbow Concierge or follow our stories on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook
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New Caledonia – just 2 hours from Brisbane and 2.5 hours from Sydney and Auckland – is an archipelago of fantasy islands scattered like beautiful gems in a sparking sea. The main jewel is the Isle of Pines, just south of the mainland…an idyllic tropical paradise.
How to get there, where to check in.
Le Meridien at Isle of Pines *****
This Starwood Group hotel (and Le Meridien Resort in Noumea) is Rainbow Tourism Accredited – so you can check in with the guarantee of a comfortable stay. And an enchanting one…unspoilt beauty, carefree stay, hidden treasures.
Gays and Lesbians who find their way to romantic New Caledonia should not fail to take a 20-minute flight to the Isle of Pines and stay overnight at the stunning Le Meridien, for a taste of paradise. (You can also take a 2.5 hour catarmaran trip out to Ile des Pins, sail over on a chartered yacht, or request a landing if you’re on the helicopter tour from Noumea.)
Nestled in a coconut plantation, you’re villa or room is just steps away from the turquoise lagoon and white sands on Oro Bay, and only a short walk to a natural swimming pool. (The hotel provides snorkeling gear, no worries).
If you want to surprise your partner during a romantic tryst here, arrange to have lunch and drinks at the “Kuyong” al fresco cafe (native for Banyon Tree roots), for an unforgettable BBQ. The local tribal family net catch and then grill the largest lobsters imaginable. (A meal worth hundreds in a Sydney restaurant but just a few Francs in local currency.)
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Where?
New Caledonia (French: Nouvelle-Caledonie) is a dependent overseas territory of France lying in the southern Pacific Ocean 2.5 hours flying time to the east of Australia and 250 km west of Vanuatu – in the middle of the Coral Sea.
The territory consists of the main island of Grand Terre, the archipelago of the Loyalty Islands (Iles Loyaute), and numerous small, sparsely populated coral islands and atolls. The three pearls of the Loyalties consist of Lifou, the largest and administrative centre, the mountainous Mare, and the paradise of Ouvea.
The Loyalty Islands are enjoying increasing growth in tourism, as the islands’ charm attracts both the locals and visitors from outside – gay and lesbian visitors included. They are located about 35 minutes flying time from the capital city of Noumea, or a few hours by ferry boat.
For an update on Rainbow Tourism’s experiences on the island, check out the South Pacific Facebook fan page.
If you read Francais, you can learn more on the Loyalty Islands Facebook pages.
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Getting around Noumea by car to visit all of the GLP properties – Le Promenade, Le Parc – and by ferry for day trip to LÉscapade Island Resort. Words and images by Dee Farrell, Rainbow Tourism Concierge.
GLP Hotels’ holidays resorts include the overwater bungalow hotel on Ilot Maitre – L’ Escapade Island Resort – which floats over a pristine lagoon with gorgeous clear water. It just might be the best spot for a wedding or honeymoon, as many lesbian and gay couples have already discovered.
If you stay. you’ll enjoy the French joie de vivre attitude, right down to the fine wine and dining experience and a swim up bar for pool waders.
In the center of the main tourist area stands the awesome La Promenade Apartment Hotel, distinguishable at night by its purple lighting! It is a Best Western Premier hotel complex that is surrounded by shops and cafes that give it a French Riveria feel. Or Bourbon St. in New Orleans if you happen into the Jazz Club for some sweet New Caledonia prawns and live music.
Overlooking New Caledonia’s lagoon and the lovely Anse Vata beach, ”La Promenade” combines the comforts of large, modern apartments with the services and facilities of a 4-star hotel.
Just one block away is Le Parc Hotel – one of three hotels creating the Nouvata Parc Complex – which rightfully can boast about New Caledonia’s largest swimming pool and largest conference and event centre. Who’d want to work in paradise?!
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To receive additional information, contact the Rainbow Concierge who has just returned from a site inspection trip to Noumea.
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For your next holiday, want somewhere close, totally different and very gay friendly? Try New Caledonia.
This French Territory destination is actively courting gay and lesbian tourists – for romance, for gourmet indulgences, for quiet relaxation, and especially adrenalin activities like kite surfing and diving with turtles on the coral reef.
What kind of New Caledonia holiday do you want?
From hiking to trade winds parasailing, from Melanesian culture and history to wildlife and colourful fauna seen at underwater parks. There’s something for every sort of traveller. Even scratch and social golfers.
Experience… New Tastes on the Gourmet Trail of Noumea, New Journeys in one of the most unique lands on earth, New Discoveries with hidden treasures on the Loyalty Islands, New Adventures in one of the best sailing areas in the whole Pacific, and New Experiences in a World Heritage listed underwater paradise.
Certainly the most important phrase to learn is “parlez vous Anglais?” Some locals speak English well, but too many more waiters can’t tell you if the ribs are pork or beef. Or if the wine is dry, complex or fruity. (You can take French language lessons as part of packaged trips and get the essentials.)
After my French for Dummies lessons, I want to explore the white sand beaches and coral reef along the shoreline on the Loyalty Islands. My dreams include dinner over the water at a resort with a swim up pool…I’ll hike some of the coastal trails, go on an amazing long distance trek, or ride a mountain bike in this biker paradise…I‘ll rent a scooter to get to the local, hidden, nude beach where gays do their thing.
In other words, New Caledonia offers new and different experiences you can’t get anywhere else. “New Caledonia provides a breath of fresh air for Australians, and even has a pink twist for active gay and lesbian visitors,” says Diane Moynihan, General Manager of New Caledonia Tourism Australia.
Noumea has hotels from 3 to 5 star, and the smaller are sometimes better at 3.5 star “family feeling” boutique hotels than the large chains with tour loads of Asians, Koreans, Germans and French, of course.
Not into mainstream chain hotels and transformed Club Meds?
You can do the romantic, boutique thing and stay at a newly-opened, gay owned B&B on the outskirts next to the Drumea golf club.
I’ve heard tent camping at $20 per night on the Isle de Palms is the best bargain. Scenic, has its own store, easy access to hiking trails – all in the shadow of the $500 per night resort next door.
What are you waiting for?
Contact the Rainbow Tourism Concierge for more information and bookings with the gay-welcoming hotels and tours in the new Pearl of the Pacific…Nouvelle Caledonie. We highly recommend flying New Caledonia’s international airline, Aircalin, on their comfortable aircraft that gets you to paradise in under 3 hours!
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It may not be renowned for its gay scene, but for gay and lesbian travellers who love French food and wine, this island nation has plenty to savour.
Savour somewhere new – New Caledonia
New Caledonia is one of the best French gourmet experiences outside of France – only 2 hours from Brisbane and 2.5 hours from Sydney. Air Calin has 8 flights a week from SYD and BRE, and there’s also service from Auckland if you arrive downunder through New Zealand.
Whether you’re looking for a tropical holiday with a difference, a luxury long weekend, an active/adventure holiday, a honeymoon or sporting trip – or even organising an inspiring conference or incentive trip – New Caledonia offers all this and more.
Bon voyage!
A unique blend of French & Melanesian cultures, this tiny French Territory is surrounded by the world’s largest lagoon and living coral reef, now on the World Heritage list. It is one of the most unique destinations on earth, with gay-welcoming operators to make you stay comfortable as well as fantastic. Hurry before time and everyone else discovers New Caledonia!
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