New Caledonia Home to the Largest Nature Preserve on Earth

New Caledonia

A newly established marine park the size of Alaska on Australia's doorstep

New Caledonia is already regarded as an ecological hotspot, with the world's largest coastal lagoon and UNESCO World Heritage site in their backyard, but now this natural wonder has added another to the list.

Covering more than 1.3 million square kilometres, New Caledonia is home to the largest nature preserve on Earth, Le Parc Naturel de la Mer de Corail, or 'the Natural Park of the Coral Sea'.

The marine park is larger than Alaska, twice the size of Texas, three times the size of Germany and much larger than any other protected area on the planet.

The newly established sanctuary, Le Parc Naturel de la Mer de Corail, comes after an exemplary decision by the Government of New Caledonia to protect its natural wealth and create the world's largest protected area on land and sea.

The area covers around 450,000 hectares of coral reefs, 25 species of marine mammals, 48 shark species, 19 species of nesting birds and five species of sea turtles. The park's ecosystem also generates up to 3,000 tons of fish every year, providing an important food source for New Caledonia's quarter of a million human inhabitants.

New Caledonia Tourism's sales and marketing director, Caroline Brunel, said this is a significant and monumental decision for New Caledonia and the entire Pacific region.

"This is a historic moment in marine conservation as well as sustainable tourism. Such a measure exemplifies that it is possible to invest in the long-term health and productivity of our ocean resources, whilst also investing in our tourism industry,” she said.

“Not only does the park set an international example with its sheer size, it also demonstrates how such decisions will positively impact tourism to both New Caledonia and the wider Pacific area.

“We are saving some of our most valuable ecological assets while they are still pristine. Something we will thank ourselves for many years to come when future generations can still experience them," Caroline said.

With the Earth's richest biodiversity per square kilometre, according to Lonely Planet, New Caledonia is considered the world's only stand-alone biodiversity hotspot. Home to the second-longest double-barrier coral reef, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef; the world's largest coastal lagoon and now the largest nature preserve on Earth, there are no shortage of reasons to visit this naturally diverse destination.

As the closest overseas destination to Australia, New Caledonia is an ideal destination for Australians looking for a Pacific holiday with a difference, as its resident's converse in French, the island offers a Pacific Islands paradise.

Flying direct with Aircalin you can be in Noumea, in two hours from Brisbane, less than three hours from Sydney and under four hours from Melbourne; the short flying times make this Pacific island the perfect long weekend getaway, with a marine park the size of Alaska waiting just on Australia's doorstep.

For more information on New Caledonia visit www.haveitall.com.au.