New Caledonia Tourism turns Circular Quay into a beach for Sydney Bastille Festival

New Caledonia Tourism turns Circular Quay into a beach for Sydney Bastille Festival

New Caledonia Tourism has brought Kanak and French culture, fine wine and 28 tonnes of sand Down Under for Sydney Bastille Festival.

For the first time ever, Circular Quay has been transformed into a Pacific Island beach village, with sand, umbrellas and beach chairs to boot for four full days during the Sydney Bastille Festival.

Opening on Thursday, New Caledonia Tourism hosted travel agents at the Kanak Beach Village pop-up in Circular Quay, which comes as part of wider Bastille Festival celebrations taking place across Sydney.

With golden sand to relax on and coconut cocktails to try, travel agents also got an insight into why New Caledonia is an easy sell, and why outdoor travellers fall in love with the Pacific Island.

Island food, French wine and desserts by KOI and Messina were also on hand, along with ‘Coconut Pétanque’ – a unique take on the French game of pétanque, which is similar to Australian lawn bowls.

Sydney Bastille Festival 2019 (New Caledonia Tourism) [1]

Travel agents alongside representatives from Aircalin and New Caledonia Tourism at last night’s opening of the Sydney Bastille Festival.

Sydney Bastille Festival 2019 (New Caledonia Tourism) [4]

Festival attendees enjoying a game of ‘Coconut Pétanque’.

Open to the public each day from 11 to 14 July, at the eastern end of Circular Quay between the ferry terminal and the Opera House, the New Caledonia Kanak Beach Village is a celebration of the Pacific Island’s French heritage and unique Kanak culture.

There’s also a giant treasure hunt competition, beginning at the counter of New Caledonia’s international carrier, Aircalin.

Entrants-come-treasure hunters can follow map and clues around Circular Quay, vying to unlock a giant treasure chest for the chance to go in the draw to win a trip to New Caledonia.

The Kanak Beach Village is open on Friday 12 July (10am-11pm), Saturday 13 July (10am-11pm) and Sunday 14 July (9am-9pm).

To discover New Caledonia’s seven bucket-list worthy events, learn why the country is an easy sell for agents, and feel the pulse of New Caledonia, click here.

For further information about New Caledonia Tourism’s Bastille Day festivities, click here.

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