Showing 1-15 of 15 results
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Aquarium
The aquarium houses species found in New Caledonian waters including nautilus. It is a good place to see sea snakes, stonefish, turtles and stingrays. The aquarium is also famous for its living coral display. Sea water is pumped directly into its tanks. Green-line Karuia and Noumea Explorer buses stop out the front.
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Baie de l'Orphelinat
There are shady playgrounds at Baie de l'Orphelinat.
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Baie des Citrons
A popular tourist beach, more sheltered than Anse Vata.
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Cathédrale St Joseph
Cathédrale St Joseph sits on a slope just above the city centre. Its construction, by convicts, began in 1888. It has beautifully colourful stained-glass windows and elaborate carvings on the pulpit, altar panels and confessional. There's more carved panelling behind the altars in the side chapels. The main entrance is generally locked, but you should find the side doors open.
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Centre Culturel Tjibaou
The wonderful Tjibaou Cultural Centre should be at the top of your list of places to visit. It is built on the secluded Tina peninsula on the site of the 'Melanesia 2000' festival organised by Jean-Marie Tjibaou in 1975, a cultural festival which, for the first time, brought together Kanaks from throughout New Caledonia. A statue of Jean-Marie Tjibaou, after whom the centre was named, stands on the hill overlooking the centre.
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CHS Mental Hospital
At the end of the road behind the Théâtre de l'Île; it was the old penitentiary hospital.
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Kuendu Beach
The water is shallow and you have to wade quite a way out to swim. Around the small headland is a marine reserve that is a great spot for snorkelling. You can either swim there from the beach or continue up the dirt road past the beach. From the top of the small rise there is a path leading down to the headland.
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Musée de L'Histoire Maritime
Has interesting exhibitions on the early seafaring days in New Caledonia. There is also an ever-increasing collection of objects salvaged from the wrecks of La and L'Astrolabe, two ships commanded by French navigator Jean-François de la Pérouse on his ill-fated voyage in 1788. The ships sank in a cyclone off Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands.
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Musée de la Ville de Nouméa
The Musée de la Ville de Nouméa is housed in the city's beautiful old colonial-style town hall surrounded by towering palms. It has both temporary and permanent displays on the penitentiary and early settler history of Noumea.
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Musée de Nouvelle-Calédonie
The Musée de Nouvelle-Calédonie gives a fascinating introduction to traditional Kanak and regional Pacific culture. Local exhibits are displayed on the ground floor and there are regional artefacts on the mezzanine level. Brochures and explanations are in French and English.
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Mwâ Ka
This magnificent 12m totem pole, topped by a grande case (chief's hut) complete with flèche faîtière, stands in a landscaped square opposite Musée de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Mwâ Ka means the house of mankind - in other words, a house where discussions are held. Its carvings are divided into eight cylindrical sections representing the eight customary regions of New Caledonia. Mounted on a concrete double-hulled pirogue, the Mwâ Ka symbolises the mast but also the central post of a case .
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Noumea Market
Noumea Market sits beside the marina at Port Moselle in a cluster of round buildings with blue roofs. It has a lively multi-ethnic atmosphere and is an interesting place to wander. It sells a wide range of arts and crafts, and fresh produce including flowers, fruit and vegies, bread, cakes, olives, meat and fish. The fascinating fish market, set apart from the other buildings, sells seafood of all shapes and sizes - fish, lobsters, crabs, prawns and squid.
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Parc Zoologique et Forestier
A great spot to spend a morning or afternoon with the kids. You'll be able to see native species such as the cagou , roussette (fruit bat), notou and various parakeets. Nonnative species include birds, monkeys and baboons. Peacocks strut around the grounds showing off their beautiful feathers. Small children can pet tame donkeys, goats and deer, or feed the ducks and geese. There's a children's playground and lawns where you can picnic or a café at the entrance that does lunch and snacks.
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Place des Cocotiers
Place des Cocotiers is the heart of the city centre. It has lawns, trees, water features, and outdoor concert and market areas. It can be tranquil and relaxed on a sunny weekday lunchtime or throbbing with the energy of a crowd gathered for an outdoor concert. In December when the flamboyant trees are in flower it's a profusion of scarlet. The square slopes gently down from east to west.
Showing 1-15 of 15 results
