Things to see and do Grande Terre

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.

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.

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.

The transverse road between Houaïlou and Bourail is very beautiful and crosses mountainous landscapes that almost make you forget that you are on an island. It is very winding and requires caution. Coming from the east, you can see Mount Maoya, one of the highest peaks in New Caledonia (1,508 m) and one of the oldest irrigation cultivation sites in the Kanak world. The Roussettes pass is the highlight of the crossing, with a fabulous perspective on the valley that runs to the west coast

The house of the Célières family was built in 1898 and is a good example of the colonial architecture of the time. After years of restoration work, it opened to the public in 2009. You can visit the many rooms where the period furniture has been preserved, as well as the garden and the terrace overlooking Mount Coffyn. Events are regularly organized there, mostly related to literature, as it is also the seat of the Maison du Livre.

From the henhouse, several hiking routes to discover the landscapes of the region. Another starting point is possible between the bridge south of the village and the Goa Ma Bwarhat cultural center. The trails are between 2.8 and 6.3 kilometers long and require between 1.5 and 3 hours of time, with easy, medium and difficult levels. Great views of the bay, the hen and the rocks, but also of the whole bay and the village from the Ga Wivaek pass.

The Relais de Poingam has set up different hiking routes on its property. One of them, the Découverte Malep trail, is punctuated with explanatory panels. The savane savanna, the plains of wild horses and the dugout are discovered on the island before you can admire a 360-degree panorama on the Poum Peninsula and its islets. In clear weather, the Archipelago islands can even be seen. At 1 h 15, accessible at all levels.

Nearly 48 km separate the east and west coasts, between Koumac and Ouégoa. Without looking for superlatives and clichés, let's not sulk our pleasure. The landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, with a high point at the Grand-Crève-Coeur pass, located at 204 m. The Amos pass with its white cross is not to be missed.

15 km from Koumac in the direction of Ouégoa, make a short stop on the Roches Notre-Dame trail. The marked path allows you to go around the massif (30 minutes walk) and to enjoy a superb panorama. Also a good climbing spot.

It stretches to the southeast of the city, between Pointe Magnin and Port Despointes. Pass Le Méridien and the International Sailing Center located below, where the health trail begins along the seafront. A gathering place for sportsmen and walkers, it is certainly the most beautiful place in the city for a morning or late day stroll when it is not so hot. At the next traffic circle, the left lane leads to the faubourg Blanchot, one of the best preserved districts of the city with its old colonial houses.

South of Païta and after the Gadji bay, this beautiful black sand beach is a nice spot well equipped for picnics. Be careful when accessing it if you are by car, the track is not the most convenient for vehicles so avoid it if you are not in a 4x4 or a high car. The wreck of the Melanesia is the main attraction of this beach, because of its incredible history. The coaster Melanesia had many names during its history and kept running aground before being simply abandoned by the shameful navy.

The Centre, opened in 1984 by Jean-Marie Tjibaou, evokes the two great chiefdoms of Hienghène (sea and land) and aims to promote the Kanak culture with the exposure of traditional parts and objects (arms, pottery, vanneries, currency, etc.). The Cultural Centre has been closed to the public since July 2011 due to works of extension and renovation, but the village of craftsmen, the snack, and the two large traditional squares remain open in the week. Boxes and a faré, intended to host artists, are also available for concerts and entertainment that are regularly organized there.

In the Latin Quarter, this gallery is a must in Noumea to discover the works of Juliette Pita, Caroline Degroiselle, André Gable, Michel Moulimois, Johannes Wahono, Bruno Curetou, Anne-Gaëlle Cabanas or Paul Jacoulet, the French artist from Japan. Vernissages and meetings every month. Come and visit this institution of Noumea Art, established over 20 years ago. Admire the works spread out in several spaces in its 320 m² premises of various artistic movements. A framing workshop is also available.

Culminating at 1,219 meters, Mount Mou, surrounded by a botanical reserve, gives the opportunity to make a beautiful hike to its summit. From Païta, take the direction of La Tontouta by following the RT1 to reach the Col de la Pirogue. At this point, at the top of the pass, take a paved road on the right towards the Païta sanatorium. It takes 5 hours for the 7 kilometers round trip and 950 meters of ascent. You will cross a forest of mossy trees. Once at the top, the view is incredible on the whole region.

The 70 km long transverse road linking Koné to Poindimié is certainly one of the most beautiful routes in the territory. The Koné-Tiwaka, named after the two rivers whose course it follows, was the largest construction project in New Caledonian history, spread over ten years. Numerous areas have been set up along the way, offering superb views and starting points for walks. At the Tango pass, the panoramic view of the lagoon and the valley is priceless

In the heart of the Green commune of Moindou, on the way to the Table-Unio tribe, this magnificent road winds through the landscape and offers a sublime view of the surrounding nature. Carved out by the Moindou River, from which the village takes its name, this gorge has created beautiful and green landscapes on its sides. An accessible walk is possible and one can enjoy several viewpoints, up to the dam where one can swim (ask the inhabitants of Table-Unio to know where). A 4x4 is recommended, after a certain point.

James Paddon settled on Nou Island in 1851 and established the first commercial infrastructure in New Caledonia. France, wishing to regain control of the site in order to build a penal colony, offered him to exchange his property for large tracts of land located in the commune of Païta. Paddon accepted and finally died in 1861. In 1863, construction of the prison buildings began. The first prisoners disembarked aboard the Iphigénie in 1864 at Port-de-France, which was renamed Nouméa in 1866. Numerous buildings scattered all over the peninsula still bear witness to this penitentiary past.

Visit. After crossing the sea, leave the city behind and connect to the island by the dike (built in 1972), follow the road on the left that leads to the old penitentiary. Ironically, or simply for historical purposes, the prison only disappeared to make way for the East Camp prison, the country's main detention center. During your visit, you will see one architectural testimony after another. If you follow James Cook Avenue westwards, once you have passed the University of New Caledonia, you will see the former house of the prison director on the sea side. Not far away, you will discover the nicely restored prison workshop. You then pass in front of the chapel, built in 1882. A little further on you will find the convicts' dormitories and their alley, nicknamed the Boulevard of Crime. It was at the end of this alley that the scaffold was erected for the capital executions. The only guillotine in the territory, it was moved around the Caillou as needed and was used for all criminals. Higher up, the dwellings of the military supervisors still seem to watch over the site. Continue to the cathedral, built in 1875 but never consecrated. Once used as a prison administration warehouse, it has been home to the superb Théâtre de l'île since 1972, which has made full use of this past with a remarkable enhancement. The road bends to the left and leads to the ruins of the garden warden's house, located just a few steps from a flamboyant tree. Further on stands the old hospital of the Marais, built in 1870 and whose portal was only completed in 1885. It is now a specialized hospital. Before arriving there, take the small road to reach the convicts' cells.The visit is truly fascinating!

Before coming to Bourail from the cross of Houaïlou, on the left, you go to a former school of boys held by the Marist brothers. Néméara, a orphans'home, is located in an old flat Caledonian box, which forms a beautiful ensemble with its church. The chapel is unique in New Caledonia, classified as a historic monument in 1989 to preserve its polychrome interior frescoes. Then you go to the tribe of Peté. From the Col Pass, where they nest in hundreds, the perspective extends to very green valleys, where several small tribes are rarely descended into Bourail village. People work their land and live fruit and river fishing. Rainfall is high in the corner, but when the sun spreads its rays on the slopes of the hills, it's just beautiful.

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 waterfall is located halfway between Touho and Poindimié. It will be necessary to ask Point I to put you in contact with a guide to go there, because it is located on the lands of the tribe of Kokengone. The hike is magnificent and promises splendid panoramas. At the top, you can see a small reservoir that forms a pool, while the rest flows between the rocks overlooking the valley and the lagoon. You will certainly take some of the most beautiful pictures of your stay. A magical place to discover without delay.

If you have the time and the condition of the track allows it (accessible only by 4x4 in rainy weather), don't hesitate to push on to Boat Pass, the northern tip of Grande Terre. A small parking lot will allow you to park your car and admire the exceptional panorama that is offered to you. Dozens of islets appear on the horizon, wedged between the sky and the sea, as far as the eye can see. Beyond, the Belep islands and the ocean are endless. At low tide, you can walk to the islands in front. A magnificent landscape to admire without moderation.

The view over the lagoon is superb from the Moméa pass. It is here, on the reef and not far from the Uaraï pass, that the five-masted ship France-III ran aground on July 12, 1922. It was then the largest sailing ship in the world, with its 126 m length. If you continue further, you will reach the Boghen pass (225 m) in the heart of a very mountainous site. The road then joins the RT1 between Nessadiou and Bourail. This is a must-do step to enjoy one of the best spots in the region to admire the view (and take pictures!).

We are at the end of New Caledonia and high up, in a reserve of 830 hectares. Its biodiversity is exceptional: shrubby maquis, humid forest, mangrove, diversified fauna, endemic plant species, chiropterans, marine mammals, 27 species of birds... A 10 km circuit allows you to discover the richness of this fauna and flora. The icing on the cake: an observatory equipped with telescopes allows you to observe humpback whales from the ground.

This attraction was inaugurated on September 19, 2013, on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of New Caledonia's rally to the Free French Forces. The Southern Province and the town hall joined forces to create a museum dedicated to World War II, built in a former American half-moon (semi-cylindrical sheet metal building). It is an opportunity to discover a period of New Caledonian history that considerably changed the face of the country and marked its mentalities.

Opened in 2013, the Voh Cultural Center is a new vector of cultural exchange in the Northern Province. It hosts local and national exhibitions and shows as well as the Voh media library and cyberbase. Closed because of the pandemic, it is back in service in 2021, stronger than ever. Many exhibitions and other cultural events, such as dance workshops or computer training, take place there. Don't hesitate to visit their Facebook page to check their program, and even less hesitate to visit them.

Second highest mountain of New Caledonia after Mount Panié, it is the highest point of the Pebble to which one can reach alone, the roof of the country being forbidden to walkers without a guide. The itinerary is marked and several small refuges are installed until the summit. In all, it will be necessary to count at least two days through imposing landscapes which really deserve the effort. Once at the summit, at 1,618 meters, you will be sure to have arrived at the end of a beautiful experience! This hike is only for the most experienced.

Created in 2013, the park aims to protect the natural heritage developed around the river. From the RT1 from Nouméa, take the Koé road on the right, just before the river, and continue to the parking lot. The old dam and the "marmites du Diable" (Devil's potholes) are among the most famous places in the area. The path of the old dam (built in 1892) and the presence of explanatory panels allow you to become familiar with the park.

Several trails start on the road next to the Auberge du Mont Koghi and are marked. The Malaoui Peak trail is undoubtedly the most interesting and rewarding. This 6.5 kilometer and 300 meter climb will take you about three hours round trip. The path goes deep into the primary forest before joining the ridge lines, on a steeper and slippery part. Once at the peak, the view of Grand Nouméa and the lagoon is breathtaking. Another hike of 2 km leads to the waterfall of the Koghis Mountains and is worth the detour.

After the Népoui junction, between Poya and Pouembout, turn left towards the Pindaï peninsula, where 8 km of tracks go down. 100 m after the beginning, the path on the right leads to the lighthouse, while the one on the left leads to the beach, three kilometers long and equipped. With fins, mask and snorkel, you can explore the few coral reefs in the area. This coastal area of several hectares is a small paradise of biodiversity, with mangrove, mining maquis and dry forest. A marked trail is open to walkers.

The trail towards the trail begins 4 kilometres after the airfield between Koné and Voh. The climb is gradual and leads to 880 metres of altitude, with a total journey of 16,5 kilometres. The less seasoned can stop after the first 2,6 kilometres, at the point of view 400 meters above the sea. For others, the hiking will continue with many panoramas on Koné, the lagoon, the chain and the mineral scrub. Think about providing enough water and food. It takes 8 hours to return. The itinerary is downloadable on the website.

An emblematic site, the Bota Méré is a mountain located in the deltaic plain of Thio. The place is taboo for the inhabitants of the valley. During the Second World War, it was used as a lookout post. A path allows you to reach the top of the mountain, from the Thio mission. At the top, you have a splendid view of the surrounding area, the lagoon and the site where the nickel was loaded into the ore carriers. A beautiful 360° panorama! Nearby, you will also find a magnificent beach lined with an alley of coconut trees.

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!