Rising out of the Coral Sea, to the east of Australia, this remote archipelago is a dependent overseas territory of France.

It is comprised of the main island of Grand Terre, the archipelago of the Loyalty Islands, the Isle of Pines, as well as a number of tiny, sparsely populated islands and atolls.

New Caledonia resembles a little piece of southern France in the Pacific and, while its inhabitants are primarily French-speaking, over 40 per cent of the population is made up of indigenous natives. With its charming little bistros and upmarket boutiques, the lovely capital city of Noumea has a distinctly European and cosmopolitan feel.

The capital is surrounded by astonishingly beautiful and diverse natural landscapes featuring rugged mountains, pine-tree fringed golden sand beaches, the world’s largest lagoon and a 1500 km-long coral reef which provides some of the most magnificent diving in the world.

With unforgettable natural scenery, its diverse range of exotic native species and its intriguing and unlikely blend of Melanesian and French culture, New Caledonia has plenty to offer both culture lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.