Beautiful Samoa awaits you, and we are welcoming our international aiga with open arms! Experience Samoa’s untouched beauty, unique cultural experiences and rich heritage. Self drive, bike or stroll through the wonders that make this island life one to cherish just like the locals do. 88//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/<strong>#238</strong>
n e w c a l e d o n i a c a l e d o n i a NEW CALEDONIA ESCAPE THE WINTER CHILL The winter is well and truly here and while there are a lot of fun activities to experience during the colder months in New Zealand, sometimes all you want to do is to go somewhere warm to keep the pulse pumping. New Caledonia might seem like just another beach holiday destination to the untrained eye. While the destination is the perfect next-door option for a chill holiday during the summer months, there are about a million reasons why it’s the perfect active holiday destination during the winter months, in particular between June and September. During these months, the temperature is still warm but the humidity is much lower, which means you can enjoy getting active and taking part in a variety of outdoor activities more comfortably than at the height of summer. The winter months, also known as the dry season offer the ultimate climate for hiking, biking and other on-land activities as it typically rains less and has a milder temperature than during the wet seasons. The temperatures during the winter range from the coldest of 17ºC to the highest of 30ºC. Located less than 3 hours from Auckland, New Caledonia offers a mix of ocean encounters in the world’s largest lagoon, on-land activities and thrilling skyward adventures. Hiking New Caledonia is a surprising playground for hikers as it’s home to over 500 km of marked trails labelled by the French Federation of Hiking (FFRP). The vast destination isn’t overloaded with tourists meaning you can hike in large, open spaces away from the crowds. It’s also one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet, with many endemic plants and animals making it a great spot to discover species you’ve never seen before. It has a variety of landscapes too, ranging from a red earth desert in the south, to dense tropical forests in the east, dry golden plains in the west and a mountain chain running from north to south. If you’re exploring the mountain range, make sure to pack some warmer clothing as the temperatures can drop as low as zero at night. Chilly nights apart, the cool season is the ideal period for setting off to hike along the signposted trails that crisscross the vast nature reserves in both the North and South Provinces of the Main Island. Check out trails such as the Mont Panie climb which will take you through the northern province of the mainland, visiting tribal areas, waterfalls and swimming holes. The end of the track is a hut at the top of the 1,629m high mountain where you can rest overnight before continuing on your journey. Closer to the capital there’s another great mountain trek up Mont Dore which will treat trekkers with a beautiful panoramic view of Noumea, the lagoon and the mountains of the south. Those wanting to challenge themselves have the opportunity to take on the Grand Randonnée ® NC1 Nord and Sud trails which are an extension of the French long distant trails. The Sud route will take you through the contrasting landscapes of the Great South with its red-earth deserts, lakes and rivers, through the Blue River Provincial Park, a drowned forest and old mining trails. In contrast, the Nord route will bring you close to the green wilderness of the east coast, through the forests and many traditional Kanak villages where you can try the traditional Bougna dish. Sentier Boe Areredi - Bourail-© JC Robert ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ//89
Change language