Buy LONELY PLANET: VANUATU & NEW CALEDONIA (8TH ED. All rights reserved. Our guides to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands range from in-depth Country and Regional guides to Pockets for short city … There's plenty of fun to be had, from snorkelling at La Piscine Naturelle and Baie de Kanuméra, to exploring Queen Hortense's cave, taking part in a pirogue excursion or heading out on a day trip to spectacular Nokanhui Atoll. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. This is where Captain Cook landed and gave New Caledonia its name, and where the French took possession in 1853. As the name suggests, tree ferns are in abundance, and most examples of New Caledonia's native birdlife can be spotted. Most of the population lives along the west coast, which has a high rainfall, attributed to local rainmakers. Staring down into the cauldron of Mt Yasur as the magma boils, spits and periodically explodes is a surreal – some say scary – experience. Buy Lonely Planet Vanuatu travel guidebooks direct from Lonely Planet. There are few destinations that offer as much diversity, both scenically and culturally, as the archipelago of 83 islands that form Vanuatu, named the Planet’s Happiest Country. Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher. Beneath this veneer is an odd mix of holidaymakers, cruise ship day trippers, expats and yachties, along with ni-Van drawn from all over the archipelago. What you can't tell from a map,…, At the western edge of the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’ Vanuatu is a land of rumbling active volcanoes, 80-plus lush islands, fringed with deserted beaches, and…. At the highest level, a man has the powerful characteristics of a hawk, and a hawk dance is performed by a spirit man. Experienced dive operators will take you out, then swap stories at a local bar or restaurant. Want to experience outer island life but with a healthy dose of comfort and plenty of adventure? An impromptu souvenir market sets up when cruise ships are in. This is the liveliest town in Vanuatu, with a mind-boggling array of tours and adventure activities, some excellent restaurants, bars, supermarkets, banks and markets. Then, during the naghol (land diving) season (April until June), the jumping begins. Just around the corner, Anse Vata is a hotspot for visitors to Noumea, who come for hotels, restaurants, shopping and other attractions. Lonely Planet Vanuatu & New Caledonia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. There’s magic going on throughout Vanuatu’s volcanic islands and Tanna is a hotspot, literally. Second only to Santo in size, Malekula is a wild island famed for its tribal groups, cannibal sites, highland trekking and protected marine areas. Away from Yasur, Tanna island is an extraordinary place, with primitive villages, white- and black-sand beaches, rustic island bungalows and Vanuatu’s most potent kava. The active volcano is so accessible that 4WD vehicles can get to within 150m of the crater rim. Vanuatu, a slingshot-shaped country that comprises more than 80 islands nearly … Trendy Baie des Citrons attracts locals and visitors alike. Pangi is the largest village in the south but it's pretty basic, with just a kava bar, clinic, a couple of guesthouses and the NBV bank, which can change foreign currency in an emergency. Apart from the outlook across the channel to Aore island it's not a particularly attractive town, but with a good range of accommodation, some cool cafes and kava bars, plenty of dive and tour operators and a cheerful market, it's a fun place to hang out or base yourself for trips around Santo. Both volcanoes are closely monitored, climbing is occasionally suspended on high-activity days and evacuation plans are always ready. A 40-minute flight from Port Vila, Epi is an agreeably rugged and remote-feeling island where days can be spent snorkelling in search of dugongs or sampling ni-Van village life. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Lifou offers scuba diving, snorkelling, picturesque bays, cliff-top accommodation and plays host to the occasional visiting cruise ship. Lonely Planet Vanuatu & New Caledonia is your passport to all the most relevant and up-to-date advice on what to see, what to skip, and what hidden discoveries await you.Experience true island-paradise on the black-sand beaches of Vanuatu, go to a kava bar with the locals, or have an underwater adventure in the world's largest … Ambae is actually Vanuatu’s largest volcano, Manaro. Listen out for traditional flute and tamtam (slit drum) playing, and for vibrant voices emanating from church choirs or popular reggae-infused festivals. Lonely Planet Vanuatu & New Caledonia is your passport to all the most relevant and up-to-date advice on what to see, what to skip, and what hidden discoveries await you.Experience true island-paradise on the black-sand beaches of Vanuatu, go to a kava bar with the locals, or have an underwater adventure in the world's largest … New Caledonia’s mix of cultures is also intriguing; central Grande Terre is friendly cowboy country, while the other islands have stronger indigenous connections. There are many tours up to see the old man, and although you can walk up without a guide (around 45 minutes from the entrance), or join a vehicle going up, it's still best to go with a guide. Lonely Planet Vanuatu & New Caledonia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. The bigger resorts make a diver’s life easy by running their own dive schools. The commonly held theory of Vanuatu's prehistory from archaeological evidence supports that peoples speaking Austronesian languages first came to the islands some 3,300 years ago. As home to the world's most accessible live volcano, the tiny island of Tanna in Vanuatu's south is the ideal place to plan an adventure. Lenakel is the main town with a market, port, several shops and a hospital, and it’s near here that Tanna’s more upmarket accommodation is located. Select from the entire Lonely Planet catalogue Finish your trek with a soak in one of the many hot springs that mix with seawater in secluded bays around the island. Luganville is Vanuatu’s 'second city', with a long, languid main road running parallel to the waterfront. A rocky beach extends 12km from just before Lonorore airfield south to Ranputor. Pottery fragments have been found dating back to 1300 BC. Look out over an exquisite turquoise lagoon that stretches as far as you can see. Despite their close proximity to each other, the three Loyalty Islands are distinctively different; long Ouvéa is the perfect island for adventurers who love a casual day trip (think snorkelling before a barbecue lunch on an uninhabited island). It also has turtle- and shark-spotting locations. What little is known of the pre-European contact history of Vanuatu has been gleaned from oral histories and legends. It's best seen from the air. Join the convoy of 4WDs from Tanna’s west-coast resorts to watch the sparks and lava fly as the sun sets. It's a little rough around the edges, with a few traffic-clogged main streets offering up a supply of souvenirs, markets, and waterfront restaurants and cafes with some lingering French influences. Vanuatu … The area around Balade is a fascinating historical hotspot. If you visit only one island outside of Efate, this should be it. You will be struck by its tropical playgrounds featuring deserted beaches, lush dense forests, pristine waterfalls, rumbling volcanoes, and traditional villages. Sound unreal? Cosmopolitan Noumea has gorgeous beaches 10-minutes' drive from the city centre. Pentecost is famously home to the naghol (land diving), the most remarkable custom in all of Melanesia, where men make spectacular leaps of courage from high towers as a gift to the gods to ensure a bountiful yam harvest. Getting to the lakes requires a long walk (some four to five hours) through forest from the north; a local guide will cut a path for you and show you the way. Hire a car or quad-bike and tour Efate on the sealed Ring Road. Tanna is an extraordinary place with the world's most accessible active volcano, sublime secluded beaches and some of Vanuatu's most intriguing traditional village life. All rights reserved. You can even ‘ashboard’ down the side of the crater, if you choose. Smoking Ambrym is famous for its twin active volcanoes: reasonably fit hikers can traverse the island in several directions via the calderas of Mt Marum and Mt Benbow, camping at the base. Pentecost is a long, thin island with a rugged interior, where truck travel can be painfully slow. Their semi-kastom communities are built around tamtam, ready to beat a rhythm, and a dance area. They’re keen to share their unique culture, whether that’s by inviting you down to the local kava bar or organising a local guide so you don’t miss a thing. Deserted beaches, ... ©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd J FD M A M J J A S O N Port Vila °C/°F Temp Rainfall inches/mm 10/50 20/68 30/86 40/104 0 4/100 8/200 12/300 16/400 20/500. The Tjibaou Cultural Centre is an unexpected sight on the watery outskirts of Noumea; each of its dark timber fingers climbs higher than the next, reaching up to Noumea’s sky. Go on a moonlit kayak through a forest of drowned kauri trees at the 80-sq-km Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue then head to the former convict settlement of Prony. Lonely Planet Vanuatu & New Caledonia by Lonely Planet, 9781742200323, available at Book Depository with free delivery worldwide. Premium. Spread your loyalty and visit all three. With only 32 beds, there's a feel of exclusivity but also a welcoming, down-to-earth family vibe. Deserted beaches, ancient culture, remote and rugged islands and world-class diving are just a small part of the magnetism of this scattered 80-plus island archipelago. A host of tours are offered, including the exclusive Mt Hope Waterfall tour (5000VT). Ambrym is also known for its tamtams (which in these parts are tall, elaborately carved slit drums valued by collectors worldwide), mysterious black-magic legends and black-sand-thumping Rom dances – a cultural trifecta. Lake Vui has experienced interesting activity in recent decades, including wild colour changes (from blue to red to blue again) and the emergence of a cone from its centre. Together with this sample itinerary, the LP helps in the pre-planning stage and is a super handy companion once you hit the ground (not to mention it makes for a great souvenir when you return back home from your trip to paradise). Australia & Pacific travel guides. Vila is a place for comfort over culture, beach bars over basic bungalows – and that's reason enough to stay a while. An array of traditional houses sits on the peninsula, providing a sample of what you’ll see and perhaps stay in while travelling around New Caledonia’s islands. Each year the stages are selected, towers painstakingly built from local timbers and the vines carefully chosen. Locals welcome visitors, with dazzling grins and a chance to peek into their unique Melanesian cultures. Episode 169 from Season 1. Vanuatu is a Pacific island adventure far beyond any notions of cruise-ship ports and flashy resorts. Stay a while to get to know Pentecost and its people a little better. Lonely Planet Vanuatu (Lonely Planet Vanuatu & … ... Vanuatu. This comprehensive guide to Vanuatu is packed with advice for travellers on all budgets. Lonely Planet Vanuatu (Lonely Planet Vanuatu & New Caledonia) [Harcombe, David, O'Byrne, Denis] on Amazon.com. From rustic abodes with their own deserted beaches, to glamorous resorts taking up entire atolls, island life is life in Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The ‘road’ crosses Mt Yasur’s remarkable ash plain on its way to Port Resolution. The great journey kicks off in Lonely Planet’s home - London, where Oil leaves his mark learning about the legendary street art scene. They had such an awesome warlike reputation that no foreigner dared venture into their territory. Try them at your resort or local accommodation. The south is the home of the naghol (April to June). It’s covered in tropical vegetation, and waterfalls and streams rush down the mountains to join the sea. There’s also drift diving off Ouvéa and gardens and caves perfect for experienced divers off Île des Pins. Add spark to your trip by staying in a treehouse bungalow nearby and falling asleep to the rumbles of grumbling Yasur. This is the Vanuatu chapter from Lonely Planet’s Vanuatu & New Caledonia guidebook. Start your web explorations at the website of Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet countries. At the western edge of the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’ Vanuatu is a land of rumbling active volcanoes, 80-plus lush islands, fringed with deserted beaches, and….