Getting around | Sud Tourism New Caledonia

Getting around

The roads criss-crossing the South Province and the Isle of Pines are in good condition. So it’s easy to explore the tourist regions. Buses serve the main towns, and numerous taxi-boats take you to New Caledonia’s paradise islets. Île des Pins can be reached by plane or boat. However, car rental remains the best option for exploring the territory in depth, although bicycles work well for short distances. In any case, the locals will be happy to show you the way. While you’re waiting to hit the road, here’s a quick overview of how you can get around the South Province…

Getting around South Province by bus The Nouméa metropolitan area public transport network

Nouméa and Greater Nouméa have a brand-new network: Tanéo. This offers users a wide range of routes to Nouméa, Dumbéa, Païta and Mont-Dore.

The main bus routes in Nouméa and Greater Nouméa:

Line L3 provides access to the beaches of Kuendu Beach, Anse-Vata, Baie des Citrons and Ouen-toro. It also passes through the town center, the municipal market and Baie de l’Orphelinat. This is the tourist line par excellence in Nouméa.
The M4 line reaches Mont-Dore from Place Moselle and the Nouméa market.
The N1 line is another fairly touristy line, taking you to Val Plaisance, Anse-Vata, Port Moselle.
The N2 line leads to Golf de Tina and the Centre Culturel Tjibaou (only operates on weekdays).

Good to know: on Tanéo lines, an individual ticket taken on the bus or at a terminal costs 300 francs. If you need to make several trips, it’s best to opt for a Pass, which will allow you to pay less and travel with ease.

The intercity bus network (Raï)

To reach the other tourist regions of the South Province and the rest of Grande Terre, the intercity bus network (Raï) takes over. From Nouméa, there are regular departures from the former Gaston-Bourret hospital to Yaté, Bourail and Thio. In all, there are 25 lines and 360 stops spread across the territory.

Scooter, Segway, Beach Car: the unusual ways

On vacation, you sometimes need to get off the beaten track… When it comes to unusual vehicles, Nouméa has something to satisfy a number of desires. In addition to scooter hire, which is available in the capital and on the Île des Pins, you can try your hand at Segway, Buggy (fun car) or “Nosmoke”, the eco-friendly vintage buggy. The Segway is a kind of gyropod that you can reserve at Baie des Citrons. The Nosmoke and Buggy can be rented at Quai Jules Ferry, near the Nouméa tourist office. Finally, even if it’s a guided tour, why not take the time to explore Nouméa aboard a double-decker panoramic bus or the little train?

Rental a car

If you want to spend several days exploring the regions of the South Province, the best thing to do is rent a car. You’ll be able to get wherever you want, even to the most remote areas. On the Île des Pins, in the Grand Sud or on small bush roads, it’s often the only way to get around and reach points of interest. From Nouméa, there are many rental companies. They all charge roughly the same rates for similar conditions. On the Île des Pins, prices are a little more expensive (around 30%). Be sure to book your rental in advance, as there may be a shortage of vehicles at certain times of the year. Most roads in the Southern Province are paved and in good condition. However, caution is advised, especially at night.

A word of advice: bring a GPS or a good road map of New Caledonia, which you can find at tourist offices. Some parts of the territory have very few directional signs.

Flying

From Nouméa, you can fly to Île des Pins. Flights operate from Magenta aerodrome, which is very convenient, as it’s right in the middle of Nouméa city. Several flights a day take you to Île des Pins in just 25 minutes. Perfect for the weekend!

By boat and taxi-boat

New Caledonia being an archipelago, it’s not surprising that boat transport is very well developed here. Taxi-boats are the ideal way to get to the many islets in the South Province. From Nouméa’s Anse-Vata, these taxi-boats take you to Islet Canard and Islet Maître at very regular times. From the city’s other ports and marinas, it’s easy to find a service provider to take you to the Signal islet, the Larégnère islet, the Amédée lighthouse… Elsewhere in the South Province, you can leave from Boulouparis for the Tenia and Petit Tenia islets, from La Roche Percée for Ile Verte, from Thio for the Toupeti islet, and from Grand Sud for the Casy islet and Ile Ouen. To reach Île des Pins by boat, take the Betico II. Fast and comfortable, this catamaran takes you from Nouméa to Kuto Bay in 2h30.

Please note: a shuttle service also exists between Le Mont-Dore and Nouméa. This can be a good option if you don’t have a means of transport for the weekday Le Mont-Dore hike.

Touring the tourist regions on a guided tour

Want to discover the essentials of the South Province or the Isle of Pines without the hassle? Why not opt for an organized tour? Tourist agencies offer tailor-made itineraries for your stays and visits. While most service providers are based in Nouméa, you’ll also find day tours departing from Île des Pins or Bourail. Ask at tourist offices or hotels.

Hire a cab or private driver

Taxis can be found in the major towns of Province Sud, in Nouméa, Grand Nouméa, Bourail, Boulouparis, La Foa, Mont-Dore and Île des Pins. If you don’t have a car, this mode of transport lets you get around in the evening, when the buses have finished their service, around 6pm-7pm. Have you heard of the Call Me app? An alternative to the classic white and green cab for the Greater Nouméa region, it lets you order a professional driver. In 2 clicks, you enter your destination and book. To get to/from La Tontouta airport, a number of service providers offer a shuttle service, adapted to flight schedules. How convenient!

Cycling

Biking is a great way to discover New Caledonia’s varied landscapes, especially if you have the time. It’s a little-used mode of transport outside Nouméa and the parks, but cyclists are very welcome wherever they go. On the Île des Pins, you can easily cycle to the main places of interest. If you’re on two wheels, be careful: traffic is light, but drivers are fast and the roads are narrow. Bike rental companies are concentrated in Nouméa. Some specialize in mountain bike and electric-assist mountain bike rentals, which they deliver directly to the touring sites. Elsewhere in the South Province, you’ll find rental outlets at the Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, Domaine de Déva and some accommodation facilities.

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