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New Caledonia is a French overseas territory in the Pacific Ocean{{stub}}{{infobox Country|country = France|map = <map lat='-21. It comprises a main island (Grande Terre), the Loyalty Islands (Lifou, Mare, Ouvea, Tiga), the Ile des Pins and several smaller islands146071792659118' lng='165. It is approximately half the size of Taiwan. It is located to the north of 61446838378906' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' />|language = French|capital = [[New ZealandNouméa|Noumea]]|pop = 240, and the north-east of [[Australia]].000|currency = South Pacific Franc (CFP)|hitch = <rating country='nc' />}}

'''HitchingNew Caledonia'''is a [[France|French overseas territory]] in the [[Pacific Ocean]]. It comprises a main island (Grande Terre), the Loyalty Islands (Lifou, Mare, Ouvea, Tiga), the Ile des Pins and several smaller islands. It is approximately half the size of [[Taiwan]]. It is located roughly 2000km to the north of [[New Zealand]], and 1500 km to the north-east of [[Australia]].

'''Most likely you will arrive by plane or by boat in [[Nouméa]]. Everything is in Noumea''', most people live there and it is the main city. Nouméa city has about 100.000 people wheras the second biggest city Koné has only about 5.000.

In order to hitch out of Noumea towards == Hitchhiking == Hitching in New Caledonia is pretty easy. Knowing French is very helpful though. Keep the time in mind and the west (towards public holidays. Most people leave [[BoulouparisNouméa|Noumea]]for the weekend and there is plenty of traffic going out of town on Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday morning. Logically Sunday evening is the busy return traffic. But no need to wait for the weekend to hitchhike, [[Bourail]]) there is plenty of traffic all the best option time. However, many people have their cars packed up with their camping and diving gear, several eskis, kids, dogs, etc. So there might be a lot of traffic but sometimes there is to take no space left for a hitch-hiker. Traveling light is a good advice. There are quite a few hitch-hikers along the bus out in road, typically one every 100km. Mostly locals who just sit lazy on the direction side of the airport at La Tontoutaroad with their thumb out. Get off With a bit of effort, like a sign, a travellers backpack, etc. people are more likely to stop for you. There are only a few "travellers" on the island and hitch from people are usually interested in their story. Also it happens that one person (usually locals) is standing on the main roadand several others are hiding behind the bushes and then they suddenly jump out when a car stops. From here If you look a bit around where you stick your thumb out, so there are no obvious hiding places, it is very easy again more likely that people will stop. The further you hitch out of Nouméa, the less traffic you will encounter. On a Saturday noon, when there should be peak traffic up in the North, [[User:Bernhard|Bernhard]] counted only about one car every five minutes (mostly local short-distance traffic). However, you will wait no longer than 5 or 10 cars and someone will stop.  Hitchhikernick - I agree with Bernhard for the more remote locations (west coast). I however did not see any other hitchikers when I was there for a week in July 2023. Easy place to get lifts eastfind camping spots.  Noumea not the most pleasant looking of towns with security issues. Average waiting time for me was 45 minutes. == Cities, towns ==* [[Nouméa|Noumea]]* [[Boulouparis]]* [[Bourai]] {{IsIn|Melanesia}} [[Category:France]][[Category:Oceania]]