Travel Information

New Caledonia

Climate:

New Caledonia enjoys a sunny climate marked by two seasons: December '" March is warm and humid with moderate rainfall and November to April is cool and dry.

Currency:

The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (XPF) with 1/2/5/10/50 and 100 franc coins and 500/1000/5000 and 10,000 franc notes. Currency exchange can be done at Tontouta Airport, all major banks and most hotels. Visa and American Express are widely accepted as well as Mastercard and Diners.

Business Hours:

Banks are open from 7.30am to 3.45 pm
Business Hours are 7.30am to 11.30am and 1.30am to 5.30pm
Stores are generally open from 7.30am to 7.00pm and shops from 7.30am to 11.30am and again from 1.30pm to 6.00pm Monday to Friday and Saturday morning.

Clothing:

New Caledonia enjoys a pleasant and temperate climate making light clothing appropriate although an extra layer will be needed at night in the winter months. The nightspots and restaurants give visitors an excuse to dress up in the evenings.

Language:

French is the official language but there are also about 30 different Melanesian dialects. English is widely spoken, as is Japanese.

Time Differential:

Local time in New Caledonia is 11 hours ahead of GMT.

Health and Medical Facilities:

New Caledonia offers a wide range of efficient medical services both private and public. For emergencies phone 15 for medical help and 17 for Police.
No vaccinations are required for visitors although it is recommended to be up to date with diptheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis.

Water:

Tap water is of good quality and suitable for drinking. Bottled water is also readily available.

Electricity:

Electricity is 50 cycles-220V and an adaptor will be needed for non-french appliances as sockets may differ.

Cook Islands

Climate:

There is little seasonal variation in the weather, however the drier months are generally November '"April and have an average temperature of 26°C. The more humid and damper periods between December and March bring average temperatures around 28°C.

Currency:

The $NZ is the widely used currency and all principal currencies can be exchanged at the Westpac and ANZ banks in Avarua and at the airport. Larger stores and hotels will also exchange cash and travelers cheques. Major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the Cook Islands.

Language:

The local language is Cook Islands Maori but most people speak English also.

Business Hours:

Banks are open Monday '" Friday 9.00am to 3.00pm. Post Office Hours are 8.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Shopping hours are 8.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday and Saturday morning 8.00-12.00. Sunday is a church day with only a few grocery and resort stores open 6.00-9.00am and 3.00-9.00pm

Dress:

The dress code is informal but out of respect for local custom, visitors are required not to wear brief attire/bathing costumes in the towns or villages. Nude and topless sunbathing will cause offence. An extra layer of clothing is recommended for winter evenings (July/August).

Electricity:

Voltage is 220DC/50cycle, the same as New Zealand and Australia. In some cases, a 2 pin adaptor may be required.

Water:

Water is of a good quality and suitable for drinking. Bottled water is also readily available.

Medical Facilities:

Medical and dental facilities are available and are of a good standard. Remember to bring insect repellent as mosquitos (non-malarial) can be unpleasant in inland areas. It is advised to wear light shoes in the sea to avoid coral scratches.

Taxes and Tipping:

All taxes are included in prices and tipping is contrary to Cook Islands custom.

Departure Tax:

A departure tax is paid by each visitor and is not included as part of prepaid taxes with airline tickets. Departure tax is NZ$55 for adults, NZ$15 for children under 12 years of age and free for children under 2.

Fiji

Climate:

The cooler dry season is from May '" October and the warm wetter season from November to April. Warm season temperatures average 30°C and cool season 26°C.

Currency:

The currency is the Fijian Dollar and $NZ are also widely accepted. Money can be exchanged at Nadi International airport and in the main towns while major credit cards are accepted at most resorts and restaurants.

Language:

English is widely used with Fijian and Hindi also predominant.

Medical:

Fiji is free from most tropical diseases and vaccinations are not required unless entering from a designate infected area. Good Hospitals are available in the larger towns.

Departure Tax:

There is a departure tax of FID$20 for all visitors over 12 years of age.

Electricity:

Voltage is 240/50 cycle. Fiji has 3 pin power outlets.

Clothing:

Visitors to Fiji need a light tropical wardrobe while during the cool season an extra layer is useful for evenings. Bathing costumes are acceptable at resorts but when visiting villages or towns light summer clothing is required.

Driving:

A visitor may drive in Fiji if they are in possession of a valid home country drivers license for the same class of vehicle. Driving is on the left hand side of the road.

Water:

Fresh reticulated water in the major towns on the mainland has been treated and is safe to drink. This also applies to many of the resorts and to some of the islands which pipe their water from the mainland. Check with the Management at island resorts as to the suitability of the water to drink. Bottled water is readily available.

Tonga

Climate:

The dry season is from April '" November with average temperatures of 22°C and the wet season from December to March with average temperatures 27°C. Pleasant trade winds blow a fairly constant 13-18 knots during the winter months.

Currency:

The Tonga Pa'anga or dollar is the local currency. Currency exchange facilties are available at Fua'amotu Airport for all arriving flights.

Language:

Tongan is the official language but English is widely spoken and understood.

Departure Tax:

T$20 per person is payable for each departing passenger.

Water:

Local water is safe to drink but visitors are recommended to drink bottled water.

Clothing:

Light Tropical clothing for day wear and a light sweater for evenings is recommended.

Shopping:

Supermarkets and stores are located in the main towns and operate Monday '" Friday and on Saturday mornings. Shops are closed on Sundays for religious reasons.

Medical:

Tonga is free of most tropical diseases and no vaccinations are required.

Tahiti

Climate:

There are two seasons: from December '" May the climate is warmer and humid (22-32°C) and from June to October the climate is cooler and drier (18-22°C). Most of the rain falls during the warmer season.

Currency:

The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (XPF) with 1/2/5/10/50 and 100 franc coins and 500/1000/5000 and 10,000 franc notes. Money can be exchanged at the airport on arrival and at banks and hotels.

Language:

The official languages are French and Tahitian but English is also widely spoken in the resorts and towns.

Departure Tax:

A departure tax of 1200XPF per person applies when departing Tahiti and this tax is included on your airline ticket.

Electricity:

Electricity is either 110 or 220 volts so it is necessary to check appliances before using. Adaptors will be required to convert appliances to 2 pronged.

Water:

Tap water in hotels and restaurants is safe to drink. Local and French mineral waters are also readily available.

Business Hours:

Offices and shops are generally open from 8.00am to 12.00 noon and from 1.30 pm to 5.30pm Monday '" Friday and during the morning hours on Saturday.

Vanuatu

Climate:

The drier and cooler months (April '" September) have average daytime temperature of 23°C. November '" March is hot (average daytime temperature 28°) and humid with rainy periods.

Electricity:

Electricity is 210-240 volts, 50 cycles and 3 pin plugs.

Currency:

The Vatu is the official currency and can only be obtained in Vanuatu. There is a bank in the airport in Port Vila. In the town of Port Vila, ANZ, Westpac and Bank of Hawaii are available and opening hours are Monday '" Friday 8.00am to 3.00pm. Most major credit cards are accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants.

Medical:

No vaccinations are required but it is wise to take anti-malarial medication if visiting the outer islands. The most common ailment is coral scratches so suitable ointment is recommended. Mosquito repellent is also advised.

Clothing:

Light tropical casual clothing is suitable day and night. Very brief clothing is best avoided in public places and villages.

Departure Tax:

A tax of 2500Vatu per person applies to international flights and this tax is included on your ticket. A tax of 250 Vatu applies to domestic flights in Vanuatu.

Driving:

Driving is on the right side of the road. Roads outside of Port Vila can be rough particularly in the wet seasons.

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