Explore Travel/Destinations/International

Fresh eats and epic tours: Why now is the best time to visit New Caledonia

Plus, two new Indigenous experiences in remote Australia.

New Caledonia is open to tourism again.

Updated April 1, 2025, first published March 5, 2025

After the civil unrest of last year, the situation in New Caledonia has settled down, with the island nation swinging its doors open once again for visitors. And the news gets better: a large number of new restaurants and tourism experiences have now opened, while others have sprung back to life - some for the first time since the pandemic.

Head to the brand-new Elysium Restaurant on the glorious Anse Vata beach in Noumea for sensational Mediterranean fare and sweeping water views, or make a beeline for Le Rendez-Vous du Faubourg, in the historical heart of the city, where you can enjoy cocktails and tapas in a fairy-light-strung garden. Explore Noumea in style in a pink electric rental car, which you can hire from Noumea Beach Car, or leave the hustle and bustle behind with Casa Charter, which offers tours of the New Caledonian lagoon on a 13-metre catamaran, with capacity for just six guests. You can experience many of these attractions even if you're in Noumea for just a day as part of a cruise, including Bar en Mer, which specialises in seafood and is located in Port Moselle, close to the cruise ship terminal. au.newcaledonia.travel

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Mega March

March is turning out to be one mega month in Sydney for live shows. Here are some of the best theatrical acts to check out: Disney in Concert at the Opera House from March 12-15; Moulin Scrooge - an adults-only panto at Seymour Centre - from March 26 to April 15; Dido & Aeneas opera, which gets a modern twist with gravity-defying acrobatics, at Opera House from March 13-29; and Guys & Dolls musical, which will premiere atop an overwater stage at Mrs Macquaries Point on March 21 and run until April 20. sydneyoperahouse.com; seymourcentre.com; opera.org.au; opera.org.au/harbour

Indigenous Australia

More and more travellers are seeking immersive cultural experiences and tourism operators in Australia are paying heed. Intrepid has just partnered with Indigenous-owned operator 100% Finke River Culture & Adventure to create a seven-day hike through the iconic Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory. Guided by First Nations leaders, the walk will launch in May this year. Meanwhile, in yet another remote region of Australia - Ningaloo in Western Australia - Ningaloo Glass Bottom Boat is collaborating with Baiyungu Dreaming Aboriginal tours to launch a brand-new snorkelling experience (in April this year) that not only showcases the region's incredible marine life, but also shines a light on the timeless Indigenous culture. intrepidtravel.com; glassbottomboat.com.au

World's best sunsets

Sunset at Uluru - in Australia's spiritual centre - has been ranked the fourth most beautiful sunset in the world by a study conducted by travel insurance company, Allclear. The study used meteorological data and social media popularity to ascertain the 15 best spots in the world to watch the sun go down, with Cappadocia in Turkey, Waikiki Beach in Hawaii and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona taking the top three spots. Other incredible places to take in the solar spectacle include the Taj Mahal in India (ranked sixth), Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh (10th), Trocadero Gardens in Paris (13th) and the desert in Dubai (15th).

Words byAkash Arora

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.

My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.

Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.

My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.