smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
New Caledonia
| New Caledonia overall | This Advice is current for Tuesday, 07 October 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Health Issues (leptospirosis) and Where to Get Help (Consulate-General website). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Industrial relations disputes have the potential to create localised tensions and sometimes violent disruptions to transport and the supply of essential services. You should monitor developments and plan accordingly.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Cyclones: Cyclone season in New Caledonia is from November to April when flooding, landslides and disruptions to services may occur. However, tropical storms and cyclones may occur in other months. The direction and strength of tropical cyclones can change with little warning. The French High Commission provides weather information to the general public on a phone hotline (+687) 26 63 20 (only in French).
Detailed weather information is also published by Meteo-France in New Caledonia, the Fiji Meteorological Service, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Centre, and by Supertyphoon.
In the event of an approaching cyclone, you should identify your nearest safe location. We encourage Australians in affected areas to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest developments. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. The cyclone could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe cyclone may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, photo identification) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.
New Caledonia is in an active earthquake zone.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in New Caledonia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug offences, even possession of small amounts, include fines and imprisonment.
You are required to carry identification at all times.
New Caledonia is an Overseas Country within the French Republic and French law applies, including the principle of 'Garde a Vue' according to which a detained person may not have immediate access to a lawyer or their consular representative. 'Garde a Vue' is a period of detention under French law that is loosely equivalent to 'assisting police with their enquiries'. Depending on the gravity of the circumstances and charges under consideration, it can vary from a few hours to three days.
Under French law, failing to offer assistance to 'a person in danger' is illegal. This means that if you fail to stop upon witnessing a motor vehicle accident, fail to report such an accident to emergency services, or ignore appeals for help or urgent assistance, you may be charged. Penalties include a suspended prison sentence and a fine. The law does not apply in situations where to answer an appeal for help might endanger your life or the lives of others.
It is illegal to photograph security services, including police. Penalties may include detention and confiscation of film and/or camera.
French Customs and Border Police operating in New Caledonia are very strict on importation of counterfeit (non-genuine) goods. If found in your possession, the counterfeit goods will be confiscated and you will be fined an amount equivalent to the assessed purchase price of the genuine item. Detection methods include conducting searches of arriving tourists.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of France for the most up-to-date information.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities in New Caledonia is good for uncomplicated conditions and treatment. Noumea's central hospital can handle routine and emergency matters but complicated conditions require evacuation to Australia.
Medical and hospital costs in New Caledonia are extremely high. For example, an intensive care bed in Noumea could cost up to A$4,000 per day. Ambulance transfers, even for short distances, can cost A$1,250 or more. A helicopter evacuation from one of the islands to Noumea will cost in excess of A$6,500. An aeromedical evacuation from Noumea to Australia can exceed A$40,000. Passengers on cruise ships are routinely evacuated to Noumea for hospitalisation. Cruise passengers are strongly encouraged to take out travel insurance appropriate to their circumstances.
There is only one hyperbaric (decompression) chamber in New Caledonia, located in Noumea. Many of the popular dive sites are located on other islands and it may take several hours to reach facilities in the event of an accident. All registered dive companies carry basic treatment equipment to meet PADI standards and many require participants to have insurance cover for diving.
Search and rescue facilities are available although limited. The difficult terrain severely limits rapid access and there is no mobile phone coverage across large parts of the main island.
Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease dengue fever are frequent, especially during the warm wet months of February to May. It is strongly recommended you take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent. Seek medical advice if you have a fever. For further information on dengue fever see the World Health Organization's factsheet.
There has been a higher than usual number of cases of leptospirosis in 2008. Local authorities recommend wearing shoes when walking, avoiding swimming in rivers, not playing in muddy water, storing food in enclosed containers and removing rubbish from around homes. For information on leptospirosis, see the World Health Organization website.
Town tap water is safe to drink. We recommend,you boil all drinking water or drink only bottled water in rural areas.
In New Caledonia, Australians can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Consulate-General
7th Floor, Immeuble Foch
19 Avenue du Marechal Foch
Noumea, NEW CALEDONIA
Telephone (687) 272 414
Facsimile (687) 278 001
Website www.australianconsulatenoumea.embassy.gov.au/
If you are travelling to New Caledonia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above Consulate-General you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
