defaultCheck out our selection of must-see places in the Great South. If it’s your first visit, this initial glimpse will surely inspire you to come back and explore the wild treasures, trails, and activities of this stunning region.
Feel free to explore the Sud Tourisme website and visit tourist offices, where our memory makers will share their best tips and reveal hidden gems!
As soon as you leave Le Mont-Dore for the southernmost part of Grande Terre, you’re back in the colours of New Caledonia. The red of the laterite soil, the green of the rainforests and mining scrub, and the blue of the lake and rivers that line the plain. The South Province has developed a number of magnificent natural sites for all kinds of leisure activities. The most popular spot is undoubtedly Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue. At 9,000 hectares, it’s not only vast, but also exceptionally well-preserved. It’s a complete change of scenery. Take the marked trails to discover the park’s superstars: kagus (birds) and centuries-old trees, like the Grand Kaori, which is about 1,000 years old. A shuttle bus can also drop you off at strategic points in the park, including at many of the swimming holes.
Bring your swimsuit to enjoy the numerous swimming holes on site!
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defaultFrom Le Mont-Dore, south-east of Nouméa, a whiff of adventure titillates the senses of adventurers and sports enthusiasts. To combine physical effort with majestic sea and mountain scenery, head for the Sentier du Mont-Dore! At 800 meters high, this demanding hiking route offers breathtaking panoramas of Nouméa, the lagoon, and the Great South. Its linear route crosses Le Mont-Dore diagonally. You can choose to set off from the Col de Plum, near the fountain, or from the Corniche overlooking the sea, past Vallon Dore. In both cases, the summit is a challenging climb, punctuated by exceptional viewpoints. A greate consolation for the efforts made. And don’t forget your sunscreen and water: the sun beats down hard from early morning on!
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Sentier Du Mont Dore Par La Corniche Charlotte Bertonneau 2004
Sentier Du Mont Dore By Plum Charlotte Bertonneau 1921
defaultdefaultSentier Du Mont Dore Par La Corniche Charlotte Bertonneau 2004Sentier Du Mont Dore By Plum Charlotte Bertonneau 1921defaultIn the heart of the Great South, the blue of Lake Yaté contrasts with the red and green of the vast open spaces. The Yaté hydroelectric dam, 45 metres high and 641 metres long, is also the starting point for a beautiful hike. Built in 1959 by Société Le Nickel (SLN), it supplies 20% of the territory’s electricity. The artificial lake that feeds it has a surface area of 40 km². For the best view of the lake, simply pass the dam entrance and continue towards Yaté, drive for a few kilometres, and find the viewpoint on your left. The result is the occasion for unforgettable photos.
A land of nature and history, Baie de Prony boasts exceptional biodiversity and vestiges of New Caledonia’s past. Between the Havannah and Woodin canals, you’ll discover the old village of Prony, once inhabited by convicts, then woodcutters and the first miners. The village is also the starting point for the GR NC 1, a long-distance hiking trail consisting of 7 stages. The îlot Casy can be reached from the bay or the village in just a few minutes by taxi-boat. A nature reserve with over 80% endemism, the area is often deserted. You can take advantage of the trail to admire the flora and fauna, camp out, or go snorkelling in its vicinity. Diving enthusiasts won’t want to miss a visit to the Aiguille de Prony, a famous calcified chimney plunging 35 meters below the water’s surface.
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Village De Prony Charlotte Bertonneau 0190defaultdefaultVillage De Prony Charlotte Bertonneau 0190Located at the southern tip of the Great South, the Cap N’Dua nature reserve is a 830-hectare natural space, rich in biodiversity. At the end of the road leading to it, you’ll find a lighthouse and the starting point of a trail. Along the way, a first viewpoint foreshadows the splendid landscapes that await you. Facing the orientation table, you can admire the turquoise lagoon, islets, and small coves lined with columnar pines along the coast. On a clear day, you can even make out the Île des Pins. The Cap N’Dua hiking trail links Anse Majic (Bonne Anse) to the lighthouse regulating navigation on the Havannah Channel. The observatory below is used from July to September to watch the humpback whales that calve in our waters.
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Cap N Dua Sentier Du Cap N Dua Charlotte Bertonneau 3743
Cap N Dua Sentier Du Cap N Dua Charlotte Bertonneau 3335South of the Goro tribe, the road from Yaté to Prony passes close to a beautiful cascade: the Wadiana Waterfall. At 30 metres high, you can see it from the road, facing the sea. It flows into a rocky basin, carving out natural water slides. You can go for a swim just before the river’s mouth. The setting is enchanting with its lush vegetation, the sound of water, and birdsong. Shortly after the waterfall, also known as the “Goro Falls”, at the edge of the lagoon, you can see the remains of an iron mine abandoned by the Japanese at the start of the Second World War, then closed after Pearl Harbor.
Having a deep after a hike
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Aventure Pulsion Parc De La Riviere Bleue Charlotte Bertonneau 3645
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Point De Vue Creve Coeur Col De Prony Charlotte Bertonneau 9832
Baleine au large de Prony - Grand Sud
defaultdefaultAventure Pulsion Parc De La Riviere Bleue Charlotte Bertonneau 3645defaultPoint De Vue Creve Coeur Col De Prony Charlotte Bertonneau 9832Baleine au large de Prony - Grand Suddefault
