Tourist Attractions & Monuments New Caledonia

The Anubet cave, dug in the heart of the forest in the south of Ouvéa, can be visited in the company of Dominique Tanghmelen, who guides visitors. It is necessary to bring walking shoes, but also a swimsuit, with mask and snorkel. This is a must-see visit, as much for the beauty of the place as for Dominique's explanations. He will explain with passion and pedagogy all you need to know about the fauna and flora of the area. At the end, a tasting of freshly picked and cut coconut is held. Go for it without hesitation.

Count 40 minutes of walking through a lunar landscape to the top. The panorama opens up gradually to reveal a 360° view of the plain and its numerous stations, the lagoon and the surrounding mountains. Lush vegetation. The Tia plateau is a must for hiking fans or those who just want to enjoy the landscape. You can count on about two hours to go to the plateau and back and discover the magnificent panorama of the surroundings. The view from the top is magnificent.

A beautiful stroll through the tribe of Pothé to the waterfall of Ny. On the agenda: walking, swimming and picnicking. The setting is magical. The excursion is possible every day depending on the availability of the guide, it is better to call him to book.

This route goes along the seaside until the mouth of the small river. It leads the walkers on an old path opened and fitted out by the convicts at the beginning of the century. Remains of the convicts' work and the life of these men who exploited the wood are still visible. We wind under the shade of the big trees of the forest, crossing the mining maquis and its bushy plants before skirting the mangroves. You may be able to observe the largest tree-dwelling pigeon in the world: a unique species, endemic to New Caledonia, called notou.

This beautiful hike makes a slightly physical but breathtaking loop. You will cross real oasis of primary forest and enjoy beautiful panoramas on the lagoon and the valley. The trail follows a part of the "time road" closed to traffic. The return journey is done by the old "time road", a beautiful route in cornice which allows to admire magnificent turquoise water holes and numerous waterfalls on the other side of the valley.

South of the Rocher à la Voile, you approach Anse Vata (stone in the local language), closed off to the south by Point Magnin. Formerly marshy, it was called the Bay of Ducks, the cove is now one of the most popular tourist spots in New Caledonia. Don't worry, the number of visitors in high season is equivalent to that of the Côte d'Azur in winter... Exposed to the prevailing winds, it is also a very famous windsurfing site. The nautical structures abound in the area, as do the hotels and restaurants.

The Bay of Lemons, or "BD" as it is known locally, is sheltered from the wind and is lined with numerous snack bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels. Some say that a boat full of lemons once ran aground here, releasing its cargo, hence the name. Others say that the bay was once lined with lemon trees. With its sea of oil, its trees and its fine sand, it is the family beach par excellence. The Cap du Rocher à la Voile in the south was the place where Nouméans would gather for a last farewell when the sailing ships left for France.

This monument, erected in 1992, commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the first 20,000 American soldiers in Nouméa on March 12, 1942. Nearly a million of their compatriots followed them and transited on the Rock, so that New Caledonia constituted one of the strategic bases of the American army during the Pacific War against Japan, particularly during the Battle of the Coral Sea. It can be found near the market and Port-Moselle. A solemn pause during your visit, but unfortunately not very well highlighted.

You can rent a Kayak at Terra Incognita or leave with a guide (even address). Park yourself near Du Marsh and bring canoeing to the water. If you take a motorboat, you need to be on your guard because many tree branches emerge on the surface of the lake. When it comes to water, be careful because the approaches of the lake are quite quicksand: avoid getting bogged down there! You cross the lake from Yaté to the north and you have to leave the island on your left. Basically, you enter the lake of Naoué adjacent to Lake Yaté. The hotel was very clean and the staff were very friendly and helpful. You will fail between the island and the peninsula.

Jean-Louis Martin will make you discover his honey house, the point of sale and the mini-museum of the bees which were installed in a large yellow house decorated with honeycombs. Niaouli honey, letchi honey, jamelon honey, coffee honey, royal jelly... Enough to delight the gourmets. The honey house has a direct sales point if you want to leave with one (or more!) jar(s) of their delicious honey. A "Discovery Farm" excursion is also possible to learn all about beekeeping through the ages.

The mission, initially installed on the seashore, was transferred here and named Saint-Louis in honor of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. To the left of the church, a small path leads to a bridge over the Ti. If you go by car, take the road on the right. Just after the bridge, at the crow's feet, follow the right track. After a small hill and once at the fork, continue on the left track passing under a high voltage line. The place is very quiet and solemn, with a beautiful view of the plain and the lagoon.

Dominated by its square bell tower, the Church of the Conception was built in 1874 on the site where a Marist mission was established. The religious worked on a coffee plantation. Every year in August, a pilgrimage is organized on foot from Noumea. The 2.80 m high statue of the Virgin Mary is a copy of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière in Lyon. The stained glass windows in the choir recount the events that took place in Balade. In 1843, the ship Bucéphale landed missionaries who survived as best they could.

The gateway to the Mont-Dore region for local and foreign tourists. If you are looking for advice and guidance on your adventure, don't hesitate to visit them. On the website, you will find the calendar of festivities and all the activities to do in the Grand Sud, as well as hiking trail sheets to download. The tourist office can also propose you very interesting packages, with notably the reception in tribe.

8 km after the beginning of the river, after passing the tribe of Poindjap, you will discover two burned and rusted trucks that recall the attack and assassination of ten Kanak militants on December 5, 1984. On the stele is inscribed: "Son of Kanaky, remember...". Two of Tjibaou's brothers fell in the ambush and seven people escaped. On this place of pilgrimage and recollection for the Kanaks and the independentists, the carcasses of Peugeot 404 are regularly covered with banners, pieces of cloth and flowers.

For a walk at the end of the world, stop at Nénon, one of the most beautiful beaches of Grande Terre. Located 12 km north of the Poum crossroads, at the bottom of a small pass from which you can overlook the Bouana bay, a track leads to it on the left. This site from elsewhere is absolutely magnificent, scattered with shells and desert. Its clear sand stretches for kilometers, between the houses of the tribes of the region. A picnic area has been set up on the spot, but beware the area is sometimes invaded by horseflies, the "shark flies", as they say.

This information point will help you to organize your stay. Like any self-respecting tourist office, it is THE first step for any trip unless you are more the type to go on an adventure without information, which is also good. For the others, we really recommend to stop there. The team knows all the providers very well and will be able to guide you.

On the east-west transverse just before the Coula bridge, don't miss a bus shelter on the right with a portrait of Eloi Machoro. After the bridge, turn left. At the first fork in the road, turn left and continue straight ahead. Ask the locals for permission to access the waterfall. When you hear the water of the stream, park on the median, turn right, cross the ford and continue in the high grass. The path is now used only by kids who use it to go to school. The view is splendid.

On the cross, just before arriving in Houaïlou, take the small road on the right, at the level of the bus stop. Leave your car at the grocery store and go past an old sawmill. You have to walk 2 minutes to arrive at the first basins, the fall is 200 meters. It is a beautiful place to take a few moments and appreciate the beauty of nature. The fall, fifteen meters high, provides bathers with natural diving and a large basin. There is a table on the spot and the spot is very pleasant.

Originally from Reunion Island, a settler who arrived in Moindou to plant sugar cane took with him a bag of royal palm seeds. A flood spread them in the valley and 1,200 trees were born. The Ryawa Valley in Moindou is home to the largest concentration of royal palms in New Caledonia. More than 500 of these trees, up to 50 m high, stand there. To learn about the place, plan a guided tour of about 2h30!

Impossible to miss the square and its works of art. Several monumental sculptures have been created by artists from all over the territory on this square in the center of La Foa. Various events are also organized under the bandstand and two creations complete the ensemble: the Gally-Passebosc monument, named after the colonel who died during the Kanak insurrection of 1878, and the Pioneers monument, dedicated to the free settlers and penal concessionaires who participated in the construction of the country.

This cemetery pays tribute to New Zealand soldiers killed during military operations in New Caledonia during the Second World War. Numerous training camps were established in the Bourail region from 1942 onwards, and 18,000 men passed through here until 1944. Here lie 161 soldiers, 78 airmen and 7 sailors. At the entrance to the site, a plaque recalls the main events of the conflicts in the southwestern Pacific.

The origin of this site dates back to the end of the 19th century, when between 1864 and 1897, nearly 2,000 common law prisoners, notably rebels of Kabyle origin, were deported from Algeria to New Caledonia to be interned in the country's prisons. After their liberation, many of them settled in Nessadiou and Boghen; in 1897, a Muslim cemetery was created along the river. Along the RT1, it can be recognized by the red crescents and stars that decorate the gate. The graves are naturally turned towards Mecca.

In 1887, the prison administration decided to open the Brun camp, a disciplinary internment site for the hardest convicts. It can be found along the RT1, 17 km west of Boulouparis, indicated by a sign. Turn right, drive 400 m and stop at the entrance of the track. The remains are overgrown, but you can make out a staircase, remains of walls and rusty rings to which convicts were sometimes tied. No roof had been built, so as to better monitor the prisoners. Moving.

Located on the edge of the RT1, before the entrance of the village on your right, along the river and behind a wooden shed, these stones engraved with strange symbols fire the imagination... These are prehistoric vestiges of New Caledonia, which scientists have not yet managed to date precisely. 350 sites and more than 6,000 engravings await you. Concrete steps lead up to the site and there are a few very limited parking spaces.

At the end of the trail, an old colonial house, renovated by a doctor and bought by the Northern Province, now houses the center and a craft workshop. Lapita pottery, discovered in the commune, was exhibited here for the first time. Two of them were discovered in 1995 in Foué, the historical cradle of Lapita identification. Events of all kinds are organized regularly (information by phone).

A competent and dynamic team, which will be able to direct you towards the activities and accommodations best adapted to your expectations. On site, you can book an excursion to the Tiebaghi mine. We strongly recommend that you make the information point in Koumac your first stop when you arrive in the city. You can also consult their very well done and comprehensive website to learn more about Koumac.

Once you have reached the Forêt-Français, and before reaching the Nekoro pass, which culminates at 128 m, cross the Muéo river. On the mountain side, you can see on your right the Muéo station, installed in the castle built in 1882 under the direction of Major Escande. About 200 m further on, on your right, you will find a white fence. The place is now a private property, so you can take pictures, but only after asking for permission. It is not possible to visit it, but it is a very nice viewpoint on the lagoon.

It is the largest petroglyph site of the Caillou. It extends over a 200 m perimeter and contains 156 large-sized motifs carved on rocks. The meaning and origin of these works remain enigmatic, most of these engravings being abstract. They thus differ from other petroglyphs observed in the world, which, for the most part, represent humans and animals. To get there, you will need to contact a tribe guide in advance.

You can go there by the old road from Poya to Bourail. If the famous caves of Adio are no longer accessible to the public, the valley of the Roches d'Adio can still be visited. It gives the visitor the opportunity to see a tormented black limestone chaos that emerges spectacularly from the forest, on the way to the tribes of Montfaoué and Gohapin. We find the trail shortly after the northern exit of Poya, just before Basse-Poya. A site rich in petroglyphs, unavoidable for the simple curious as well as for the fanatics of archaeological sites.

The bays in the north of the island are famous for their protected seabed, rich in fauna and flora. Inhabitants of Lifou, fleeing the anger of their tribe's chief, settled there in the middle of the 18th century. The first missionaries arrived in 1840, followed by sandalwood workers. The Gadji tribe is composed of only a dozen people. Compared to the rest of the island, more frequented by tourists, the place is extremely peaceful.

This large building contains paintings and sculptures of Kanak art. It is named after a pro-independence leader from Maré who was assassinated with Jean-Marie Tjibaou by Djubelly Wéa, a pro-independence extremist, in 1989. Temporary exhibitions are also organized every six months, as well as several cultural events. Sophie, surrounded by her team, will also be able to inform you about the activities to do on the island. A visit that is worth it!

Located in the heart of the Tenane tribe in the north of the island, this famous and beautiful vanilla plantation organizes tours upon request and sells beans and local handicrafts in its store. The host, Pa Kaloi Cawidrone, has been passionate about vanilla and its exploitation for decades, and his vanilla plantation is ideally located in a region and forest known for its many tales and legends. An excellent visit.

Tataio and Taniela were the first Polynesian Protestant catechists who came to evangelize the island in 1841. Anchored in front of Ténane, they reached the shore on board their pirogue. To reach the site, cross the village, pass in front of the church, turn left and walk 200 meters, without forgetting to ask for authorization beforehand. Following Melanesian custom, the bones of the two missionaries were placed in their pirogue and hoisted up the side of the cliff.

This road runs along cliffs with many caves, where the inhabitants found refuge during tribal wars. About 3 km north of Tadine, red handprints are engraved in the rock. We then pass in front of the tribes of Mébuet and Nécé, where the former great chief of Maré, Naisseline, one of the most influential in New Caledonia, resided. The road goes up and through the tribes of Padawa and Wakuarori to reach a viewpoint from which the island of Tiga can be seen in the distance. Roh is at the end of the road in a preserved site.

Bring your fins, mask and snorkel! An ideal place for snorkeling. Below, the coral bottom is superb. The lucky ones might come across white tip sharks, turtles or rays... A bit difficult to find due to a lack of signposts, Pédé Beach is located between the natural aquarium and the Nengone Village hotel. Access is through a bend in the road, 50 m from the road. Difficult to find, but this white sand beach and its blue-green lagoon are enchanting and worth exploring.

The road leading to Cengeïté is one of the most beautiful of the island with its creeks only frequented by fishermen. On the same road, after 10 km, there is a small fork in the road on the right. Take it to follow the coast and cross the Cengeïté tribe, grouped near the beaches and around its temple. Leaving Wabao, you find the main road again. One kilometer before arriving at Eni, on the left, you will see on the road the trace of a parking lot. Take the path through the tall grass to bathe at the Eni waterhole.

Between Tadine and Cengeite, a short signposted path leads to a beautiful natural pool with amazing colors, dug in the coral and communicating with the sea through a siphon. During the hurricane season, fish and turtles come to shelter there, but you can go there at any time to contemplate the fauna. Yeiwéné Yeiwéné, a pro-independence leader assassinated in 1989 with Tjibaou, is buried nearby. Swimming is forbidden, but you can still admire the shy fish. A small path on the right leads to the coast.

Located between Tadine and Penelo, this site is considered to be one of the largest drowned cavities in the world, with a 40-meter-deep shaft with a 30-meter diameter that leads to a lake of more than 350,000 m³ of fresh water. To find it, a guidebook can be useful but here is a procedure to follow for those who want to explore on their own: take the RP3 road that crosses the island between La Roche and Tadine; take the RM4 that leads north towards the villages of Ténane and Roh; the site is located two kilometers after the crossroad.

Only 10 kilometers from La Roche, you have to take the road north to Tenané. There is little signage other than a small sign before the site and guardrails on the road. One kilometer after the fork in the road, the chasm is hidden in the bushes on the right. Approximately 40 meters deep, one can venture to the edge of the circular cliff, in the middle of a tropical forest, and peek into the void, looking for hidden caves that surround a freshwater lake.

The Warrior's Leap is located east of La Roche, at the Wakone tribe. It is a 5-meter wide crack in the cliff that overlooks the sea by almost 30 meters. Legend has it that a warrior from the Si Hnathege clan, named Hnor, leapt across the hole with the Si Gurework at his heels. Carried away by their momentum, his pursuers fell into the sea. Be careful with children, even if the site is secured by railings. A very nice panorama to admire (and photograph) without moderation!

Located less than 2 km from La Roche, this monument is one of the most important of its kind in the Pacific. This heap of coral blocks, dating approximately from the year 500 of our era, keeps all its mystery. According to legend, the tribes of La Roche and Hnaened were constantly at war. The great chief of La Roche decided to organize a contest for which each of the two tribes had to build a war shelter in record time. The warriors of La Roche set about the task and devoted their days and nights to it.

Located in the Hwadrilla tribe, the Ouvéa coconut oil distillery produces 200 tons of oil per year, which is processed in the soap factory. The production is not stabilized. It is possible to visit the site during opening hours and to buy the products. An interesting visit to make for those who are curious to know how these soaps are made. The facilities for drying the almonds are accessible.

Weniko shows his vanilla plantations. To extend the stroll, he leads a path that passes in front of a viewpoint before arriving at a water hole (2 hours and a half round trip). Every morning, during the flowering period (from September to December), the white flowers are fertilized one by one, by hand. A few months later, the pods will appear and it will then be necessary to wait for their maturity to pick them carefully, to scald them then to make them dry in the sun.

To understand the history of this peninsula, let's look back at the history of New Caledonia. James Paddon, a British sandalwood merchant from the neighboring New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), settled on Nou Island in 1851. He built a slipway for schooners, a forge and stores. A very enterprising man, he was also responsible for introducing cattle to the territory. In the end, France bought the land from him for the construction of a penal colony. It was here, in 1864, that the first convicts disembarked on the archipelago aboard the Iphigénie. Numerous buildings still bear witness to this penitentiary past, grouped together under the name Site historique de l'Île Nou, which can be visited.

Anse Kuendu is a small beach located on what is now the Nouville peninsula, since the island was attached to Nouméa by a dike in 1972. The sunsets here are breathtaking. You can also go for a walk or mountain bike ride on the track that surrounds the peninsula. From Kuendu Beach, you can drive up to the hill on the right to enjoy the panoramic views. You can use the orientation table to find your way around. At the top of the hill are the ruins of Fort Tereka, built at the end of the ^20th century and restored in 1984. The cannon battery and underground passage can be visited (it's best not to go on foot, as there are many stray dogs).

The Higginson House is an architectural witness of the beginning of the ^20th century. It was built by Gabriel Laroque on a piece of land bought from John Higginson, founder of the Nickel company. Throughout the year, this municipal cultural space offers historical and heritage exhibitions as well as art and contemporary creation exhibitions. Mediations, conferences, meetings with artists, tea-chats, theater evenings, workshops, shows and screenings are regularly presented. Don't miss a visit!

An original and exotic excursion at 5 minutes from Noumea in a marine reserve and a treasure island. Under a pretty "faré" in the center of the islet or directly at your deckchair, you can enjoy a snack (nice salads with shrimps, children's menu...). A good idea to have lunch with your feet in the water. Underwater path for snorkeling. Tapas evening every first Thursday of the month. Permanent open-air exhibition: corals and sculptures (more than 100 pieces). Charming paths lead you there.

In the axis of Pointe Magnin, just south of the city, Ouen Toro is a hill of 128 m altitude. The slopes are classified as a botanical reserve with nearly 50 hectares of chlorophyll.

If you have a car, turn left at the first intersection after Le Méridien. On foot, take the Ouen Toro road for 350 m after the Vernier Drive intersection (the road that runs along Anse Vata). Then take the footpath on your right.

Good to know: there is only one water point on site. Therefore, plan to bring a drink. The walk lasts about an hour. You will cover 3 km of trail under the dry forest.

Leave in the morning or in the evening, knowing that in the late afternoon the sunset is superb. On the first two hundred meters, the vegetation is essentially made up of guaiac trees, some sandalwoods and false pepper trees. From there, you can take nice pictures of the "île aux Canards" and the columnar pines. At the crossroads, the left track leads to an old silica quarry. Prefer the right track which crosses sections of forest. Continue for 300 m. At the next crossroads, the path on the left joins the quarry; the one on the right goes down in the middle of the guaiac trees. Continue for about 200 m on the right track. You will then reach a new junction. On the right, you go back down to the Pierre-Vernier promenade. Choose the left track which goes straight into the forest. After 200 m, you leave the forest and follow the path that winds up the hillside. You will have a beautiful view on the lagoon, the islets of Sainte-Marie and the bay of the same name. Continue for 400 m. You have two options: go out on the Vernier promenade or take the very steep slope that accesses a dome covered with grass. Take your camera, the panorama is superb. You are on the launching pad for hang gliders and paragliders. The path continues to the northwest. After a hundred meters, a track starts on the left. It allows to access the quarry and to come back to the starting point. Keep going! On your right, the path leads after 200 m to another old quarry; 150 m further on, you arrive at the paved road of a housing estate, then at the road to Ouen Toro. Continue walking 500 m downhill and you will find your car. It is a superb walk, you will meet nature lovers who, organized in association, replant the original species.

The Loyalty Islands Province has a website entirely dedicated to the three islands. You will find general and practical information on the climate, customs and tourism, as well as information on restaurants and accommodation. The Province also offers good deals from July to August with the IBozu packages (package on the Loyalty Islands including flight and accommodation at low prices). A very good plan! And if you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact them, the team is adorable!

The climb is very steep and not to be taken lightly, so it is better to be a seasoned and experienced walker. It will take about six hours to complete the 10 kilometers round trip and the 1,050 meters of elevation gain. After three kilometers, you will see three different paths: take the one on the right. Once you reach the top, the view of the surrounding area is spectacular. Be sure to take precautions, including checking the weather beforehand (make sure it hasn't rained). Also take plenty of water and food with you.