This self-supporting tour will take you on 11 days of riding and sightseeing through the Grande Terre of New Caledonia. It will take you north through the farmlands and prairie-like countryside of the west coast over the central mountain range to the lush and green east coast. Along the east coast, the route will turn south and you will cruise along beautiful coastline peppered with scenic sandy beaches and several river crossings before turning inland and crossing the mountain range again to return to the west coast where the tour concludes. More...
This self-supporting tour will take you on 11 days of riding and sightseeing through the Grande Terre of New Caledonia. It will take you north through the farmlands and prairie-like countryside of the west coast over the central mountain range to the lush and green east coast. Along the east coast, the route will turn south and you will cruise along beautiful coastline peppered with scenic sandy beaches and several river crossings before turning inland and crossing the mountain range again to return to the west coast where the tour concludes. Less...
Cycling in New Caledonia is best enjoyed any time between May and September, when the temperatures are milder and there is much less rain and humidity. Less...
How to Get There
Several airlines
serve New Caledonia. From Australia and
New Zealand there are several direct flights
per week on Qantas Air, Air New Zealand,
and AirCalin.
For North American cyclists Air New Zealand
has direct/non-stop flights that operate
several times a week from Los Angeles and
San Francisco to Auckland. From Auckland
there is a direct flight on Air New Zealand
to New Caledonia.
From Europe and from Asia, Air France and
AirCalin fly several flights per week to
New Caledonia.
The starting
location of this tour is from the Tontouta
International Airport in Tontouta. If you
do not feel like riding the very first day
after your arrival in New Caledonia, you
can make reservations ahead of time at the
motel Les Paillottes de la Ouenghi near
Boulouparis and they will arrange for shuttle
pick up at the airport. This will eliminate
the first day of the tour’s ride from
Tontouta to Boulouparis. Check their web
site for contact information.
Alternatively, you can make reservation
at the Ecotel – Tontoutel in Tontouta
near the airport and set out on the ride
the following day. Less...
Accommodations
Accommodations
in New Caledonia are quite expensive and
once you get outside of Noumea, the capital
of New Caledonia, hotels, motels and gites
(New Caledonia’s Bed&Breakfast)
are not frequent. It is therefore recommended
that you bring light camping gear as a backup
even if you are not planning to camp on
this tour.
Camping is permitted in camp grounds; but
even if you can not find one, it is ok to
break camp on the beach or at a resting
area. Do not camp on tribal lands unless
you ask for permission first.
Because of the scarcity of accommodations
along this tour, it is recommended that
you arrange for reservations ahead of time.
There is no accommodation on day seven from
Poindimie to Houailou and your only option
is to camp in Houailou at Camping de Kaora
camp grounds.
You can pick up a free accommodation guide
book available at the airport and also in
the tourist information center in La Foa.
This Address Book offers an extensive list
of lodging from campgrounds to hotels. Less...
The Roads
The quality of roads on this tour is good. All roads on this tour are paved and well maintained. Less...
Recommended Maps
Supermarkets
throughout New Caledonia have a good selection
of regional and national maps that you may
not be able to find or purchase outside
of New Caledonia. Less...
Recommended Gear
Besides
the standard
touring gear & spare parts, it is
recommended that you bring at least two
extra foldable tires with strong Kevlar
casing.
If you plan to tour New Caledonia during
December to April (the wet season) bring
good cycling rain gear. Additionally,
if you like to use rearview mirrors, whether
they are helmet mounted or bicycle mounted,
make sure you bring one for riding on
the right hand side of the road. Less...
