Things to see and do Bourail

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.

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.

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.

This beautiful beach takes its name from the turtles that regularly come here to lay their eggs - but beware, swimming is forbidden because of the strong currents. However, you should not miss it, as its location is exceptional. Facing the pass and the lagoon, the magnificent columnar pines stand next to the famous Bonhomme de Bourail. From the Roche Percée, the three bays path to the Baie des Tortues, passing by the Baie des Amoureux and the belvedere, is one of the most beautiful pedestrian itineraries of the West Coast.

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 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.