The most beautiful natural sites to discover Grande Terre

These 7,500 hectares of wild and preserved nature is the dream playground for sportsmen and nature lovers. Located on the edge and on the heights of the lagoon classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it is accessed via the road to Poé, shortly before arriving on the beach. The Domaine has five hiking trails for all levels, including the Oua Koué trail, on ridges with breathtaking views (5.5 km, 324 m ascent); the Forest of Origins trail to the lagoon, through the largest dry forest in New Caledonia (7 km); the Giant's Trail, around the Fournier marsh equipped with an ornithological observatory (6.5 km) and the Boé Arérédi Trail, which overlooks the Poé fault, whose deep blue line cuts into the turquoise waters (4.5 km, 317 m ascent).

For mountain bikers, there are 240 kilometers of trails dedicated to them on 17 different routes with increasing levels of difficulty: the green trail No Poradéno (8.6 km), the blue trails No Bouaou (12.3 km) and Forêt Plateau (11 km), the red trails Bouencoy (16 km) and Me Awi (15 km), as well as the black trail Zouvézélé (20.7 km).

You will also find more than 13 km of white sand beach on the domain and 7 horseback riding trails. Finally, in addition to the Sheraton Hotel, its spa and its golf course, it is also possible to rent mountain bikes at the Maison de Déva located at the entrance of the Domaine or to go horseback riding with the Carré 9 ranch, open from Tuesday to Sunday morning.

This is one of the must-see activities in New Caledonia. Among the two main activities, we advise you to explore the Blue River Park, its fauna and flora, and to listen for the cry of the cagou, the emblematic bird of New Caledonia. You can walk there or rent a bike to cover a longer distance!

You can also do a kayak trip at full moon on the blue river in the heart of the drowned forest, a really unique experience!

A true showcase of the Deep South, this park is absolutely unmissable for all outdoor enthusiasts. A very good map is provided at the entrance and lists the interesting places to visit. The White River area is accessible to cars while the Blue River area has been limited to hikers, on foot or by bicycle. There are specially designated areas for bivouacking in the Blue River basin, but permission must be sought from the front desk agent. Three colors dominate this unique environment: the green of the vegetation, the blue of the river and sky and the red of the earth. Among the species present in the Grand Sud, not less than 75% are endemic. Among the notable trees, we find the kaori, which can reach 40 meters high; one of them would be 1,000 years old, and its diameter is 2.70 m. Fortunately, its exceptional size has made it unworkable. Thanks to a protection program, the area is still one of the few places on the pebble to shelter a population of cagous. This endangered species is a hidden treasure here and everyone is looking for a glimpse. To meet it, you need a lot of luck and a bit of tactics. Theoretically, you have better luck early in the morning and by remaining discreet. One of the highlights of the exploration is undoubtedly the mysterious Drowned Forest, with its naked and white trunks that emerge from the lake.

Hiking: Blue River Provincial Park is home to numerous trails with routes ranging from 30 minutes to 7 hours. Signs indicate the characteristics of each trail and provide information on the animal and plant species that you may see. There are brochures presenting the different routes. Here is the description of some of them:

The Palmetum trail (1 hour - 1 km - very easy). A short botanical and educational trail created on the site of a former mining camp. Discovery of the mining maquis and a dense humid forest.

Le sentier du Houp géant (30 minutes - 1 km - very easy).This short walk follows an old track that was used to extract the trees cut in the forest. A magnificent houp (tree) with extraordinary dimensions watches over the place.

Le sentier de la Source (1 hour - 3.8 km - easy). This is a peaceful loop through the scrubland and around magnificent kaoris and araucarias.

The Three Forests Trail (1 hour - 1.3 km - easy). It starts near the ford of the Pourina. It is necessary to follow a short ascent through humid and dense forests, before entering the mining scrubland.

The Grande Cascade trail (5 hours - 15.7 km - difficult). Located at the end of the main valley trail, this is a long walk to the upper Blue River.

Kaori Trail (3 hours - 8.5 km - medium). Also located at the end of the valley trail, this is a somewhat physical walk among the giants of the forest.

The Koureu Deni trail (2 hours - 4.6 km - medium).This pretty botanical trail starts near the Bon Secours development. Slightly strenuous, it takes you to the giant houp through different types of environments.

The Renaissance Mine Trail (3 hours - 8.3 km - medium). This is a varied loop that leads you on the steps of an old mule track leading to the Renaissance mine prospecting site. The landscapes dominate the valley of the Blanche River and offer a beautiful spectacle.

The GR1 trail. It allows walkers to evolve on paths leading from Prony to the Dumbéa dam and to cross the Blue River Park on foot. By following this fabulous path, you will explore the Great South in all its richness, along ancient paths traced by the Kanaks. Beware, it requires a thorough preparation and a good knowledge of the terrain. You need to be in excellent physical shape and have adequate equipment, as well as enough food because no refreshments are available.

Several service providers also offer various activities in the park and you can contact them beforehand to find what you are looking for: Sud Loisirs (kayaking, mountain biking and hiking - ✆ +687 77 81 43 - www.sudloisirs.nc), H2O Odyssée (kayaking - ✆ +687 91 10 03 - www.h2o-odyssee.com), Aventure Pulsion (kayaking - +687 26 27 48 - aventure-pulsion.nc), Escal'aventure (rock climbing - ✆ +687 74 78 37 - www.escalaventure.com) and Loisirs Concept (rock climbing - ✆ +687 43 90 13 - loisirsconcept.nc).

The Deep South is full of secrets and superb spots where being guided can be very enjoyable, especially if you do not have your own vehicle and rental 4x4s are rare (book in advance). Toutazimut offers various excursions from Noumea.

With your fins, mask and snorkel, you will discover an important variety of fish that we do not suspect so close to Noumea. Several buoys mark out the circuit with a wealth of information on the underwater fauna. On these buoys, you will find the different fishes and corals that can be observed along the way. Turtles and a dugong even frequent the area. A stroll for all; our favorite! We advise you to come during the week and early, to avoid the crowd.

Built in the 19th century to supply Nouméa with wood, it is now invaded by lush vegetation. Huge banyan trees cover the buildings with their bewitching roots. In the last quarter of the 19th century, a village was grafted onto the site where the exploitation of the wood lasted until 1911. An association of restoration enthusiasts has rehabilitated the powder magazine built in 1884 and a path has been laid out to fully enjoy the remains. Wet forest and mining scrubland follow one another as you enter the heart of the penitentiary's history.

Once arrived, we are on a hill overlooking Noumea, we discover the superb panorama on the lagoon, the Tjibaou Cultural Center and the Mont-Dore. Below the hill, Notre-Dame-du-Pacifique watches over Nouméa. One of the last dry forests still preserved in the vicinity of Nouméa can be found on 36 hectares. In the Valley of the Endemics, many unique animals in the world are a real showcase of New Caledonian fauna!

Poe beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, 17 kilometers long and offering shallow waters over several dozen meters. Its colors are as bewitching as its white sand and reefs swept by the waves of the open sea, which contrast with the flat calm of the lagoon. Popular with the inhabitants of New Caledonia and especially with families from Nouméa, the tourist activities are rich and benefit from the recognition of the site as a Unesco World Heritage Site. You will see many kitesurfers and some windsurfers.

Located in the communes of Sarraméa, Farino and Moindou, the Grandes Fougères Park was inaugurated in 2008 to protect an exceptional natural environment. A network of hiking trails has been developed to allow visitors to survey 4,500 hectares of tropical rainforest. The flora and species present are mostly endemic (cagou, notou, crested parakeet...). Mountain bikers are welcome, but there is no bike rental company on site. Motorized vehicles and dogs are not allowed.

In the Xârâcùù language, they are called xwâkwé nè, "the sources of fire". For centuries, Kanak warriors dipped their weapons there before going to war. A legend transmitted by the Melanesian oral tradition explains the origins of this place. A long time ago, the valley of La Crouen was sacred. Only a family guarding the site lived there, along with a god named Wankwéné, who punished the unwary who committed the sacrilege of coming here. One night, the god stirred in his sleep and shook the mountain. The river, which was flowing along the western slope, drifted towards the eastern slope. The tribes then wanted to appropriate the source. A young man from the west went in search of it and came across a young girl from the east who had gone astray. They fell in love with each other and fled into the forest. Coming from opposing families, they could not return together and ended up in the valley of the Crouen, provoking the wrath of Wankwene. In anger, the god urinated on them, turning them into turtles and dogfish. The legend says that at the place where the urine ricocheted, two hot springs sprang up... But don't let that put you off, because the spot is very nice. The sulphurous and alkaline springs flow 250 m³ per day at a temperature between 40 and 44 °C. They are effective against asthma, bronchial affections and rheumatism, but don't be too sensitive to the smell of sulfur.

A ten-minute drive from the center stretches the pretty beach of Moara, with its white sand at the edge of the coconut trees. The bay of Port Bouquet is also worth a visit, a few kilometers away. It overlooks the sea magnificently and faces the islets Némou and Toupéti, which offer superb underwater scenery for diving. In the direction of the hourly road leading to Canala, the beach of Ouroué and its black sand also reveals a surreal landscape. The region of Thio is a beautiful area, mountains and sea offer thrills.

In the direction of Poum, at the exit of Koumac, you will have to take the road to Babouillat and drive for about twenty kilometers to reach this beautiful forest park. Picnics and camping are possible here near the Néhoué River. Children's games, walking and swimming are also available. Please note that the collection of wood and plants is forbidden. A very nice walk during which you can admire the numerous birds.

Also called "Trou Feillet" because Governor Feillet used to visit it regularly during the colonial era, this natural pool is very easy to access and allows for a pleasant swim or serves as an ideal picnic area. The Cuve de Sarraméa is a magnificent place to discover in the midst of a lush nature and left master of the place. Water holes and waterfalls are scattered along the walking paths. On some of the waterfalls, you can even make a natural slide! An aquatic hike to do.

This beach is a very popular spot for surfers thanks to the waves of the Popinée pass. But the real star of the place is of course the famous "Bonhomme", a massive rock that stands out from the cliff. To best appreciate the surroundings, two trails are recommended: the Three Bays Trail, which links the Roche Percée to the Bay of Turtles and the Bay of Lovers with superb views over 4 km from the Roche parking lot, and the Cycad Forest Trail, which starts in the middle of the beach and crosses a dry forest over 2 km.

If you leave the Ouémo peninsula on your right and the Magenta bay a little further north. At the junction, not far from the former University of the Pacific and the airfield, you will be able to admire the small strip of fine sand bordered by superb columnar pines. There are tables and benches for picnics. A playground is also available for children. It is the ideal place to start windsurfing from the beach when you are a beginner. Beware of swimmers and webbed hikers though!

The trail follows the left bank of the creek into the ever-growing wilderness to reach the river, its small waterfalls and waterholes. The rainforest, the many birds and the low elevation trail make this a popular walk for families. At the end, you can take a dip in shallow pools. It takes about forty minutes to walk the trail (although we recommend taking your time to admire the scenery) before arriving at the waterfall from the parking lot. A very relaxing and quiet place.

At the mouth of the Blue River, three hot springs offer 43 degrees water! Only one of the sources is on earth and suitable for swimming.

A few wild beaches will allow you to cool off after a day of walking or driving, including the beach of Tangadiou and the beach of the Péninsule peninsula accessible by overland roads. Very poorly attended, you will be able to observe the fishermen at dusk. Picnic areas at the seaside are also located on the tip of Pandop. 

The great curiosity of Prony Bay is of course the needle, which has nothing to do with a coral formation, but which results from a freshwater resurgence. This gigantic chimney takes root at a depth of 38 meters and rises 2 meters below the surface of the water. Imagine a mineral cathedral coming from the depths. Calcification is the result of the action between fresh water, coming from lakes and rivers, and salt water from the lagoon. The fresh water infiltrates, heats up and rises... Needles rise from an arm of the cathedral, forming several bell towers at the top, below which a hole, from which fresh water gushes out, has been dug. This water, mixing with salt water, gives the impression of a turbid mixture with two compounds of different density. The Aiguille was officially discovered in 1873 when the cargo ship La Somme, passing through Prony to load wood for the prison, ran aground there. The ship was stranded there for about 50 hours, and it was an aviso that relieved her of her heavy cargo, thus putting an end to her stranding.

Today,it is a diving spot: the heat of the cavity is not to the displeasure of the fishes that come here in great numbers. The needle never stops growing, making its own limestone gangue. Corals and fish are present. A real kingdom for bivalves, the site is also a spawning ground for loaches in November. You might as well say that it is a wonder for all those who can come and dive here...

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.