70th Birthday in New Caledonia

I'm a very experienced elderly Australian backpacker but am currently a bit painfully immobilised after my recent three months travelling solo in Cuba and South America. I need to get away somewhere a bit different for about a week in early June that is not too far from Sydney by air. I will be travelling on a budget and not hiring a car but am somewhat restricted in walking. Would New Caledonia be far too expensive or difficult or just not exotic enough? I'd love to get to PNG but for a week that seems too ambitious.

It would be perfect!

It is very exotic (I found it so even after PNG and the Solomons!), yet easy and safe.

Public transport can get you to many interesting and beautiful - no, make that gorgeous! -places, and while there is certainly plenty of upmarket accommodation, downright cheap options also exist.

See the New Caledonia link in my signo line for more.

Hi Terrmc,
I'm not sure I altogether agree with Lazlo, although of course it depends on your point of view.
How restricted is your walking?
Noumea is quite hilly. I also think NC might be a bit difficult to get around unless you hire a car, particularly with a one week time limit. It is certainly not a cheap destination.
In terms of culture I didn't feel we got much of a different "cultural experience' except in Lifou and maybe near Hienghene and to get to both we needed to hire a car, but again it depends what you are looking for and how well you speak French.
If I had a week in June and wanted to go somewhere different for a week, not too far (flying) from Sydney, i would probably go back to Alice Springs- very easy to get around (ie flat), can probably find somewhere relatively cheap to stay and lots of cultural difference if you go looking and talking to people.
Alternatively have you thought about Vanuatu- I must confess to not having been there since 1974- it was certainly 'different" then, without being difficult, and again I think there are some cheaper accommodation options there (Vila is also pretty hilly though)- but someone else no doubt has some up to date information.

"Noumea is quite hilly" - much of it isnt hilly at all, but buses and taxis are reasonably priced and plentiful.
"exotic" is an interesting word. I found the mix of French and islander charming in Noumea. The Cultural Centre is fabulous and well worth a few hours. I also loved the Central Market and strolling around the Place des Cocotiers.
You might also consider a few days on Isles Des Pins (couple of hours by ferry.)

Vanuatu is a MUCH more challenging destination than NC.
Quite similar to PNG, actually.

I never hired a car in NC and still got everywhere I wanted. And on a low budget.