22 October 2026

McDonald's in Noumea

Previously:

Another country, another McDonald's to tick off my bucket list!  This time we're in Noumea, New Caledonia and of course, I couldn't leave without checking out what McDonald's has to offer here.  I always love seeing what's different on the menu in each country.  This time, I was pleasantly surprised by their chicken bucket menu.



It came with a mix of chicken wings and chicken tenders, and the wings were definitely my favourite.  They had crispy skin without that thick, floury coating, and to my surprise, they were a little spicy too.  Honestly, they were so good.


As for the burger, it was pretty much what you'd expect from McDonald's, familiar and comforting.  We tried the one with an onion ring right in the middle, which was a fun little twist on the usual burger.


Stay tuned for the next blog still Noumea:

20 October 2026

Places to eat in Noumea

Previously:

Here are three places I'd recommend adding to your list if you're visiting Noumea and love French-bakeries, good coffee and creamy ice cream as much as we do.


L'Atelier Gourmand - French Bakery and Patisserie.
If you love French pastries, L'Atelier Gourmand is a place worth visiting.  They offer a tempting selection of French-style baked goods, cakes and pastries, with so many desserts to choose from.  It's the kind of place where you might walk in planning to grab just one thing, but leaving with multiples.  They also have sandwiches, making it a convenient stop if you're looking for something savoury for lunch or quick bite.










Amorino - Smooth and creamy ice cream
For an ice cream break, Amorino is another I'd recommend.  The ice cream is smooth, creamy and delicious.  Perfect for cooling down after a day of walking around in the tropical sunshine.




Molongo Cafe - A good coffee stop
And for the coffee lovers, Malongo Cafe is worth checking out.  They do a really good coffee.  It's also a nice place to take a break and recharge.



Stay tuned for the next blog still in Noumea:

16 October 2026

A Day Trip to Amedee Island with Mary D Agency

Previously:


If there's one experience we absolutely loved during our time in New Caledonia, it was our day trip to Amedee Island with MaryD Agency.  Think crystal-clear turquoise water, soft white sand, a historic lighthouse, and a whole day of sunshine for the kids.

We booked our full-day excursion with MaryD Agency, we paid 16,950 CFP per adult (approximately AUD 229), while the kid's tickets were around half the adult price.  The package included the return ferry, a visit to Amedee Lighthouse, a glass-bottom boat tour and a buffet lunch, making it a great option for a hassle-free family day out.

One thing we really appreciated was the convenient pick-up service from our hotel to the wharf.  Everything was organised for us, allowing us to simply sit back and enjoy the day.



The ferry was clean, spacious and comfortable, which made the journey pleasant from the moment we boarded.  The boat trip to Amedee Island takes approximately 40-45 minutes, depending on conditions.  It was lovely opportunity to relax, enjoy the ocean views and get excited about the beautiful island waiting for us.




The moment we stepped onto Amedee Island, we were greeted by beautiful shades of blue.  The water was clear that you could see the sandy bottom beneath the surface, with the turquoise lagoon stretching out towards the deeper blue ocean.

Once you get off the ferry, you have some free time to explore the island at your own pace until your allocated time for the glass-bottom boat tour or lunch.

Our little tip: find a good spot to set up your base as soon as you arrive!  Choose a shady place if you can, especially when travelling with children.  It's handy to have somewhere to leave your belongings, relax between activities and return to whenever the kids need a break.

The lighthouse adds a little history to the experience, making the trip more than just a beach day.  However, at that time the lighthouse was closed for renovation.  Apparently, it looks amazing from up there.



The glass-bottom boat tour was another highlight included in our package.  It gives you a chance to discover the underwater world without having to get into the water yourself.  We spotted the big turtle couple of times.



Honestly, one of my favourite parts of the day was simply watching the kids enjoy themselves on the beach.  The kids were absolutely in their element, playing in the sand, enjoying the sunshine and spending as much time as possible near the water.  They could have spent hours just sitting on the sand, building whatever it was.

And when it was finally time to leave, the kids simply didn't want to go home! They were having far too much fun to say goodbye to the sand and the clear water.  It's always a good sign when the children are having such a wonderful time that they don't want the day to end.


Lunch was served buffet-style, with plenty of food to choose from.  There was a generous selection of seafood, along with other dishes, fresh fruits and sweets for dessert.

One of my favourite dishes was the deer meat and the pulled pork.  It was really nice and definitely worth trying if you're curious about local food. 

What made lunch even more special was the entertainment.  While we were eating, there were traditional dances and music, adding a lovely cultural touch to the experience. 












One thing that might surprise you on Amedee Island is the number of snakes you may encounter.  We noticed that they could move freely around the island, so it's important to stay aware of surroundings, particularly when walking through grassy or shaded areas.

Locals told us that the snakes were harmless and not venomous, but it's still best not to approach, touch or disturb them.

Complimentary madeleine on the way back

Ph: +687 26 31 31

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Noumea:

01 October 2026

Saigon Bay in Anse Vata, Noumea

Previously:

Sometimes, even when we're travelling in Western countries, we still find ourselves craving Asian food. 

We came across this Vietnamese-style BBQ that we've never tried before, and it looked so interesting that we had to give it a go.  There was a choice of beef, pork or duck, and of course, we went for the mixed one so we could try a bit of everything.




The meat was already pre-marinated, so it was really flavourful on its own.  It came with some vegetables and onions that we could grill together with the meat, plus pickled cabbage and carrots on the side.  I really liked having the pickles with the BBQ because they added that fresh, tangy flavour to balance out all the richness of the meat.

My favourite was definitely the duck meat.  I'm pretty sure the duck pieces were a little fattier, and you know what they say, good BBQ needs a bit of fat!! And when the fat edges got slightly burnt and crispy from the grill, ohhhh, that was the best part.  So delicious!!!

 


We also ordered a wonton noodle soup.  It was okay, but the soup was a little too sweet and peppery for my taste.  The BBQ was definitely the star of the meal.


Saigon Bay
119 Promenade Roger Laroque, Anse Vata, Noumea
Open: Daily 11am - 2pm, 6:30pm - 10pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in New Caledonia:

28 September 2026

P&P Pizza & Pasta Restaurant in Anse Vata, Noumea

Previously:

As soon as we landed, the first thing we did was hunt for food.  We didn't go too far from the hotel and ended up at this pizza and pasta restaurant called P&P. 



The kids were happily entertained with their colouring activities while we waited for the food to arrive, which was honestly a win after travelling.

We ordered two large pizzas and a burger just between the four of us - and let me tell you, we left feeling extremely full.  The pizzas were HUGE and absolutely delicious.  They also gave us this spicy oil to go with the pizza, which I'd never really had before.  It was like olive oil infused with chili and spices, and it was so, so yummy and went well with pizza.  Definitely added an extra kick to the pizza.

The pizzas were around AUD 45-50 each, they were more than enough to share.  The burger was delicious too, and by the end of the meal, all four of us were happily stuffed.





P&P Restaurant
Complexe La Promenade in Anse Vata
107 Promenade Roger Laroque, Noumea
Open: Daily from 11:30am - 9:30pm  (until 10pm on Friday and Saturday)

Stay tuned for the next blog still in New Caledonia: