A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 18.
Call 15 or go directly to the medical centre or hospital.
Call 17 or contact the nearest police station or gendarmerie.
Call 16 or radio on VHF 16 – Inmarsat – MMSI.
Exercise normal safety precautions in New Caledonia.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
Strikes and industrial disputes can also lead to social unrest. They may disrupt essential services, including:
If there's a strike:
More information:
Roadside security incidents can occur suddenly, but are uncommon. Dangerous incidents include:
Major routes have been affected, including:
Local authorities can close major roads without warning.
Serious crime is rare. Petty crime and theft can occur.
Car theft and vehicle break-ins are increasing.
Drink spiking can happen. If you're drugged, you'll be more vulnerable to theft and assault.
To protect yourself from petty crime:
More information:
Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes adventure activities, such as scuba diving.
If you plan to do a tour or adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
Few beaches in New Caledonia are patrolled.
Obey warning signs and follow lifeguards' and local authorities' advice. A red flag means don't swim.
Shark attacks have occurred, including in the lagoons.
New Caledonia experiences natural disasters and severe weather, such as:
The New Caledonian Department of Emergency Management (French) responds to natural disasters and severe weather.
If there's a natural disaster or emergency, a free crisis hotline is activated if required. Call (+687) 05 05 05 (French). Your tour operator or accommodation provider may also be may also be able to provide timely advice.
To protect yourself if a natural disaster occurs:
Get weather reports and disaster updates:
If you're travelling during cyclone season, or after a natural disaster, contact your tour operator to check if services are affected.
Cyclone season is from November to May, but cyclones can occur at other times.
The direction and strength of cyclones can change suddenly.
Cyclones and severe weather can bring:
If there's a cyclone or severe tropical storm:
New Caledonia has a 4-phase cyclone alert system:
If a cyclone is approaching:
Once the SAFEGUARD PHASE is announced:
Heavy rains can cause flooding and mudslides. These can lead to:
New Caledonia experiences earthquakes and tsunamis.
Tsunamis can happen within minutes of a nearby tremor or earthquake.
Ask your tour operator, host or accommodation provider about local procedures and what to do during an earthquake.
Tsunami risk is higher at:
On 5 December 2018, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit near New Caledonia. A tsunami alert was issued and later lifted. Several strong aftershocks followed the quake.
To prepare yourself for earthquakes and tsunamis you can:
If there's an earthquake or tsunami:
If you're near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities or if you:
Don't wait for official warnings such as alarms or sirens.
Once on high ground, monitor local media.
After an earthquake:
More information:
New Caledonia can experience bushfires.
Bushfires usually occur from September to February. They can occur in other months.
Bushfire notifications are published by Météo France Nouvelle-Calédonie (French) from 15 September to 15 February.
To protect yourself from bushfires:
More information:
Get comprehensive travel insurance, tailored to your mode of transport (e.g cruise ship) and region of travel before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation and adequate coverage for any pre-existing conditions. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in New Caledonia. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
On 27 December 2018, a dengue epidemic was declared across New Caledonia with most cases occurring in the Greater Noumea area.
Cases of diseases spread by mosquitoes include:
Outbreaks are more common in the warmer and wetter months.
If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, a rash, diarrhoea or a severe headache.
More information:
Small outbreaks of leptospirosis are common. More serious outbreaks can happen after heavy rainfall.
To protect yourself against leptospirosis:
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases occur. These include scabies, influenza and conjunctivitis.
It is generally safe to drink tap water in towns.
To protect yourself from illness:
More information:
The standard of medical facilities in New Caledonia is high. However, search and rescue facilities are limited. The difficult terrain limits quick access.
There's no mobile phone coverage in some parts of the main island.
In the Southern Province, Hôpital Gaston Bourret (French) is the main public facility at the Koutio Medipole in Dumbea.
In the Northern Province, the main public hospitals are in:
Medical costs are high. For example:
You may be evacuated to Australia if you're seriously ill or injured. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
The only decompression chamber is in Noumea.
Many popular dive sites are on other islands. If there's an accident, it may take several hours to reach medical facilities.
Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation and your planned activities.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France. A mix of French and local laws apply.
More information:
Penalties for drug offences, even small amounts, include fines and imprisonment.
More information:
You must always carry ID.
Under French law, same-sex marriage is legal in New Caledonia.
However, outside Noumea, you may encounter more conservative attitudes.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Outside tourist areas, dress and behaviour standards are conservative. Take care not to offend.
Visits to certain areas, including popular fishing and maritime areas, may require prior authorisation from the relevant customary authorities. This is carried out through engaging in a 'coutume' (customary acknowledgement gesture).
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
You likely won't need a visa for a tourist visit of up to 3 months. However, you may need to show proof of:
In other situations, you'll need a visa.
New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France.
Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the Consulate-General of France in Sydney or contact the Embassy of France in Canberra for up-to-date information on visas requirements.
Other formalities
Some goods aren't allowed in New Caledonia. Other goods require specific approvals or other formalities.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.
The local currency is the Pacific Franc (XPF).
Declare all amounts over 10,000 euros (or equivalent) on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
Australian dollars are accepted by some businesses.
Change Australian dollars for XPF at banks and authorised exchange bureaus.
There are ATMs and credit cards facilities in Noumea and other major centres.
Take enough cash if you're travelling to remote areas.
Industrial and political disputes as well as strikes can cause disruptions to essential services including transport links. Monitor developments and plan as required. See Safety
You can drive in New Caledonia on a valid Australia driver's licence for up to one year after arrival.
To find out about driver's licences:
The road toll in New Caledonia is high.
You're 4 times more likely to die in a road accident in New Caledonia than in Australia.
On the road:
You could encounter:
These incidents are uncommon, but dangerous. See Safety
If stones are thrown at your car, leave the area quickly and safely.
If you plan to drive:
More information:
Make sure your travel insurance covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Hire a taxi from a taxi rank or make a phone booking. Book your taxi in advance. Long delays are common.
You can't hail a taxi from the street.
Some taxi's only accept cash.
Buses operate throughout Grande Terre (the main island).
On other islands, public transport is limited.
Passenger ferries run from Noumea to:
Many international cruises stopover in New Caledonia.
Australians have been evacuated from cruise ships to hospitals in Noumea. Some insurance claims have been refused.
Medical costs in New Caledonia are high.
To reduce your risks if you plan to travel on a cruise ship:
Make sure your travel or medical insurance covers you for both existing conditions and medical evacuation.
See Health
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check New Caledonia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, you should contact your:
Call 18.
Call 15 or go directly to the medical centre or hospital.
Call 17 or contact the nearest police station or gendarmerie.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Call 16 or radio on VHF 16 – Inmarsat – MMSI.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
You may be able to get help from:
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular assistance, contact the Australian Consulate-General in Noumea.
Norwich Building
Level 2
11 rue Georges Baudoux
Artillerie, Noumea, New Caledonia
Phone: (+687) 27 24 14
Consular assistance email: consular.noumea@dfat.gov.au
Website: noumea.consulate.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna
Check the Consulate-General website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
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