AirCalin (SB) Checkin Opening time SYD? Or QF checkin on codeshare?

[SYD]

Doing Air Calin and the Hilton later this year for the first time - appreciating the details SYD.

You're welcome. Having answered the OP question, it's turning into a bit of TR of my first NOU / SB / Hilton NOU visit - come SR.

 

[defurax]

Only other criticism would be the Hotel arranged transfer. Arc en Ciel is the major provider and used by Hilton and apparently most hotels it turns out. 6000 for two - we thought it would be a small van but we ended up on a 48 seater bus.

I usually book with "Navette les mouettes" (translates to Seagull shuttle ). It's 10,500 CFP for a private transfer, so no need to wait for other pax.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

SB have online checkin - excluding SYD and a couple of other ports.....

I have seen SB OLCI boarding passes for the BNE/NOU flight.

 

[eric2011]

I have seen SB OLCI boarding passes for the BNE/NOU flight.

Does that mean, if HLO, you can go direct from kerb-side to immigration and not via check in counters.

 

[SYD]

Does that mean, if HLO, you can go direct from kerb-side to immigration and not via check in counters.

Back from NOU yesterday on QF92 (NOU-SYD). Arrived at airport about 2 1/2 hrs ahead of 12:30 Dep time. Both NZ (flight to AKL) and QF (SYD) check-ins open and processing. So I would assume they opened at least 3 hrs ahead of boarding? Apologies, I didn't specifically ask when do they normally open check-in - if I understand, you're on SB not QF metal?

The hassle even for us arriving slightly earlier than planned is that Immigration/Security check didn't open until 2 hrs prior to departure.

Even though there was an earlier SB flight to SYD (but departed much earlier), Immigration shut up shop in between. So you can't get to the lounge until they re-open - a bit Wellington'esque for those of us who've made the mistake of leaving downtown early expecting to get into the WLG QP etc.

I did notice that there was a couple of flights out to Port Vila in the arvo. So you might be in luck with continuous operation of Immigration/Security for the afternoon "rush".

The SB Lounge is smallish, but a reasonable size for the throughput. Pretty full with both NZ and QF PAX departing 15mins apart. I has some comfy chairs but not a load of food options. But French Champagne of course!

 

[eric2011]

Back from NOU yesterday on QF92 (NOU-SYD). Arrived at airport about 2 1/2 hrs ahead of 12:30 Dep time. Both NZ (flight to AKL) and QF (SYD) check-ins open and processing. So I would assume they opened at least 3 hrs ahead of boarding? Apologies, I didn't specifically ask when do they normally open check-in - if I understand, you're on SB not QF metal?

The hassle even for us arriving slightly earlier than planned is that Immigration/Security check didn't open until 2 hrs prior to departure.

Even though there was an earlier SB flight to SYD (but departed much earlier), Immigration shut up shop in between. So you can't get to the lounge until they re-open - a bit Wellington'esque for those of us who've made the mistake of leaving downtown early expecting to get into the WLG QP etc.

I did notice that there was a couple of flights out to Port Vila in the arvo. So you might be in luck with continuous operation of Immigration/Security for the afternoon "rush".

The SB Lounge is smallish, but a reasonable size for the throughput. Pretty full with both NZ and QF PAX departing 15mins apart. I has some comfy chairs but not a load of food options. But French Champagne of course!

Thanks for all the info you have supplied over the past few days. Yes on the return it is SB metal but QF flight numbers, booked and paid to QF. So I will do an OLCI and when I see the doors to immigration open I will go through. I have to have my rental car back by 13.30 but my flight is not until 17.15. The lounge not having a large amount of food isn't a problem as a 17.15 flight is too early to fill up on food, much prefer to fill up on the bubbly stuff and eat on the flight or when I get to BNE @19.00

edit: my bad luck, the previous flight out on my departure day is at 12.20, so presume they will shut up shop before I get to the airport.

 

[SYD]

As I mentioned above, there are flights to VLI in the afternoon, so you might be lucky with a wider opening time for Immigration etc.

Regarding Rental Cars. They were all closed when we got there. I bet they primarily open for arriving PAX but AVIS (and I assume the others) had a key drop box in the window. I popped my keys and pass card for the parking lot in and said a quiet Easter Prayer that it would all be fine...

Signage is all in French and surprisingly not a single 'Rental Car Returns' but signs with Voiteur Loaction right at the lot and a variation approaching the terminal. But heads towards the drop off area at the front of the terminal and then just beyond to the boom gate parking lot where you no doubt collected the car.

There are three (?) petrol stations in a row just before the round about turnoff from RT 1 to the airport.

 

[eric2011]

As I mentioned above, there are flights to VLI in the afternoon, so you might be lucky with a wider opening time for Immigration etc.

Regarding Rental Cars. They were all closed when we got there. I bet they primarily open for arriving PAX but AVIS (and I assume the others) had a key drop box in the window. I popped my keys and pass card for the parking lot in and said a quiet Easter Prayer that it would all be fine...

Signage is all in French and surprisingly not a single 'Rental Car Returns' but signs with Voiteur Loaction right at the lot and a variation approaching the terminal. But heads towards the drop off area at the front of the terminal and then just beyond to the boom gate parking lot where you no doubt collected the car.

There are three (?) petrol stations in a row just before the round about turnoff from RT 1 to the airport.

Thanks SYD, have done a search and there are no flights to anywhere on a Thursday afternoon (my departure day) after 12.20. Also thanks for the info on rental returns etc

 

[SYD]

Thanks SYD, have done a search and there are no flights to anywhere on a Thursday afternoon (my departure day) after 12.20. Also thanks for the info on rental returns etc

How did you go? And what were your impressions of NOU and the Hilton? etc

 

[eric2011]

How did you go? And what were your impressions of NOU and the Hilton? etc

Thanks for asking SYD. I am sitting in the QF J lounge in BNE as we speak ( 07.30 Sat ), for my departure @ 10.00. Will let you know of my impressions later.

 

[eric2011]

How did you go? And what were your impressions of NOU and the Hilton? etc

2nd day into our 5 days. Arrived into NOU airport yesterday and it was pouring rain. I've been here many many years ago so sort of new what to expect but the overall opinion of Noumea has gone down a bit in my eyes. If you haven't done much travelling this could be a bit of a culture shock, its just a bit on the dirty side and the natives could be a bit scary for newcomers. Lucky I saw a very very small sign in the Avis office, in French, but I worked out I could hire a GPS. When doing my car booking back home GPS's could not be available. Very lucky for me I hired one as I don't think I saw a single directional road sign on the road from the airport to Noumea and then onto the Hilton. Even the Hilton Hotel was not listed in the lodging section of its memory so had to load directions for the casino just down the road and then wing-it when I got there.

The Hilton is just what I expected after reading comments on TA. I've got a 1 bedroom deluxe apartment on the 9th Floor so have a great view. The rooms are a little dated but clean and liveable. Others opinions of Noumea have said that it is very expensive here but we haven't found things to be excessive, beer and wine in the bar may be on a par with back home and a steak in a restaurant for instance is around 35000XPF or approx $40 so similar to AU.

 

[SYD]

Yes, I was a tad underwhelmed as a 1st timer. Pleasant enough, but there are better value places eg Fiji or Vanautu.

'Not cheap' rather than 'expensive' is probably a good way to describe it. You're paying Paris prices but it's Burleigh Heads with French people and coughier beaches.

Smart move with the GPS. Yes, sign posting - or lack thereof - was a little disconcerting. We managed with a couple of tourist office maps and cached Google maps on the phone. But it's a long way from downtown to the airport turnoff and only two signs. One leaving town and the othe 50kms later to turn left at the round about!

Eating: try So Food (need to book) and Pizza & Pasta downstairs in the Hilton complex wasn't bad.

 

[Steady]

Le Miretti-Gascon is (was) a nice little family run restaurant on the Casino end of Anse Vata bay ~200m back from beach (24 rue Gabriel Laroque)

 

[defurax]

For people who want to avoid staying in Noumea or simply want to explore a bit more options outside of Noumea I highly recommend the Sheraton Deva near Bourail and Kanua Tera Ecolodge in Port Boise. The Sheraton is easily accessible and less than 2 hour drive north-west of NOU. The beach at the resort is not really great for swimming, but Poe beach is only a few kilometers down the coast. The Domaine Deva where the Sheraton is located is a very relaxing place. It is possible to walk for hours along the beach without ever meeting anyone...after all there are less than 100K visitors to New Caledonia each year and most of them stay in Noumea.

The Kanua Tera Ecolodge is in a very secluded location with only 18 bungalows all with direct access to the lagoon. This is a very remote place where even the biggest workaholic will instantly find relaxion! To drive there, there are 3 options, 2 require a SUV, the long road via Goro bay can be done in a small car.

 

[Steady]

I spent many Sundays (and some evenings during the week) at Gite Kanau and the other two Gite's in the area (St Gabriel & Iya) 95% of this time was before Gite Kanau was converted to the modern Tera Ecolodge.

Anyone visiting this area should go for a drive a bit further around the coast and at least have a look at the other two - on the way, there is a little waterfall alongside the road with a natural water slide.
.
This is what they looked like 8-9 years ago


Lots of fun

 

[eric2011]

Just a final update on the trip. Would like to comment on the AirCalin Hibiscus lounge that QF J etc members can use.
What a loverly little space this is. Decked out in nice leather lounges and chairs, an acceptable drinks and snack area, computers to use and friendly staff (compared with the rest of Noumea). Many AFF'ers B&M about lounges but I appreciate them for the quite and slightly elite area they provide away from the masses 10 out of 10

 

[SYD]

Yes, I thought it was quite nice for the size of the place.

Did you manage to get in early?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Oddly enough I was just there for two weeks.
I enjoy visiting Noumea because it gives me a chance to practice speaking French, but it's not the best spot for a tropical beach holiday.
Although the sunsets in the Baie des Citrons (Lemon Bay) can be spectactular.

Also the Chateau Royal has a bar with a superb sunset view.

And it can be fun to do a day trip (or three) to L'Îlot Canard - just off the beach in L'Anse Vata.

Complete with champagne from the bar / restaurant.
It also has a quite large reef with a surprising variety of coral and fish. I've seen turtles and large octopi there on a few occasions as well.
If you want an idyllic tropical holiday you should fly to one of the islands - L'Île Des Pins (Isle of Pines) is the closest and best known. There is a Meridian but two locally owned hotels are much better value. I've also been to Ouvea which is a stunning coral atol - just sea and sand. There are two others - Mare and Lifou - and the three form the Loyalty islands.
On Grand Terre - the main island - the most beautiful area is the horth east coast - around Hienghène (pronounced "yen-gen").

But don't drive at night outside Noumea, it isn't safe.

 

[eric2011]

Yes, I thought it was quite nice for the size of the place.

Did you manage to get in early?

No, I did OLCI but I did notice the counters opened 2 1/2 hours before and the immigration was 2 hours