Things to see and do Thio

This museum is installed in an old colonial building. It traces the world of mining and the history of the region. The Le Nickel company (SLN), founded in 1880, was at the origin of development in Thio. It set up the infrastructure necessary for the exploitation of the site. The mines, the ore processing plant and the shipping wharf required a large workforce, half of which was recruited from Japan. A very interesting museum directly related to the modern exploitation that you can appreciate by visiting the mine.

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.

Every month, the Thio tourist office organizes tours of the plateau mine, which has been in operation since 1874 and is still operated by SLN. The first mine in New Caledonia, it is one of the largest nickel deposits in the world and the only site in the country open to the public. These days are commented by Maurice Fels, a local historian, and then by a site manager. They are followed by a traditional tribal meal. Attention, closed shoes and pants are mandatory. Remember to ask about the calendar and to reserve.

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.