Off the beaten track

Want to travel differently? South Province has got what it takes to satisfy all those yearnings for adventure and for something different! Unique thrills, immersion in the wilderness, nights in quirky accommodation, sharing traditions, tasting new flavours…. There are plenty of ways to discover New Caledonia in a new way, far from the clichés and mass tourism. To make your stay unforgettable, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 off-the-beaten-track experiences to do in the South Province!

1. Get the adrenaline pumping

By skydiving

Free-falling above the Caledonian lagoon is a must for all adrenaline junkies. But rest assured: it’s a safe and supervised aerial sport. At an altitude of over 3,500 meters, it’s time for the big jump! At 200 km/h, get ready for that adrenaline rush! You’ll enjoy about 40 seconds of absolute freedom. Then the parachute opens, and you’ll be gazing at the exceptional landscape under your canopy. The more adventurous can even take the controls for a few seconds. When you land, you’ll want to do it all over again!

By microlight, seaplane or helicopter

Soaring over the most beautiful landscapes in the South Province can also be done aboard an aircraft! From a microlight or helicopter, the feeling of freedom blends perfectly with the contemplation of the landscape. In Poé, you can even land on the lagoon in a seaplane, if the weather’s right. Touching down on the turquoise water and flying low enough to spot turtles and manta rays provides incredible emotions, a mix of adrenaline and amazement! No doubt you’ll remember your session in the air for a long time to come! Microlight departures are possible from Nouméa, La Foa or Poé (from Nouméa for helicopters).

2. Venture into the wild outback

Discover the Central Range and its mountainous landscape

With its Central Range, remote trails, and wild tracks, the South Province promises authentic discoveries that only you can enjoy. Love a good bushwalk? The variety of marked trails is impressive! If you’re a bit of a sportsman, the peaks of the Chaîne are within your reach. Climbing Mont-Dore, the hiking on the plateau de Dogny… These are tough routes, sure, but the panoramic views at the end make it all worth it! For an immersive experience, take the time to hike the GR Sud long-distance hiking trail. From Prony to Dumbéa, you’ll be in for surprises at every turn! Prefer a different mode of transport? Why not saddle up a horse? That way, you can cover more ground in less time. From La Foa or Bourail, you can enjoy the experience of crossing the Chaîne, or even go for a swim on the beaches with your trusty steed!

Explore the rocky coastline of the Forgotten Coast

One of the wildest experiences in New Caledonia is kayaking along the shores of the Grand Sud, along the Côte Oubliée. From the surface of the water, you’ll discover nature in a completely different way, with the sensation of being all alone in the world. Over 4 days and nearly 65 km of paddling, you’ll feel like Robinson Crusoe: wild camping, snorkelling, a bit of fishing for the day, whatever you want. Adventure is the name of the game!

Explore the South Province in a four-wheel drive and take the back roads

Cruising around the Great South in a four-wheel drive gets you places that are impossible to reach with a regular car. With a guide, you’ll get explanations about the areas you visit. A local meal is included in these tours. In the end, it’s another way to explore the most unfamiliar places, unknown even to most of the locals themselves.

3. Discover a silent world in the UNESCO World Heritage lagoon

In the Caledonian lagoon, close to the coral reef, you’ll be amazed. Diving among manta rays, meeting underwater creatures, admiring coral reefs…. Many dream of it, but few get the chance to experience these unique moments! The good news in New Caledonia is that this dream is accessible by scuba diving, or simply with a mask and snorkel! Guided by a professional, you’ll discover unsuspected places: shipwrecks, shark nurseries, drop-offs teeming with lagoon creatures, and so much more. Every time you meet marine animals, the magic happens.

So, ready to dive into the world’s largest lagoon? To find the best places in South Province, check out our post on the snorkeling and diving spots !

4. Dare to try new flavors

Are you more of a foodie? Open your taste buds wide: typical and unusual flavours await you! Deer meat is one of the South Province’s signature products, and can be enjoyed all along the west coast. Try some delicious venison sausages! Where? At the Nessadiou delicatessen, for example. Located on a 210-hectare farm near Bourail, the farm is well worth a visit. But the most unusual culinary experience is to taste the bancoule worm. Taking part in the Bancoule Worm Festival in Farino in September is the best opportunity to try this surprising flavour! Raw, cooked, or flambéed with Pastis, the choice is yours!

Les restaurants en province Sud

A word of advice

Bring cash with you to buy products sold on farms, at fair stands, and on the side of the road.

5. Discover Kanak legends and traditional farming methods

Discover the heights of Borégahou, in the heart of the traditional land of Ôrôé-speakers. Learn to recognise endemic flora and fauna and their symbolic significance in Kanak culture, and discover traditional irrigation methods in taro fields and yam plantations. Georgina will take you to the “table of sacrifices” viewpoint, with its breathtaking vistas, and share with you the history, myths, and practices of this secret place.

6. Dive into the heart of the bush

On the west coast, in Boulouparis, Bourail, and La Foa, the culture of the stockmen, cattle breeders with deep-rooted traditions, will surprise you and show you a different side of New Caledonia. Away from images of tree-lined beaches, in vast plains and fields, a way of life has developed over time. To get close to it, watch the rodeo at a bush fair, join in a barbecue on a ranch tour, or feed the cattle. On farm tours, the owners will tell you their story, handed down from generation to generation.

8. Picnic on an islet

What better way to get a taste of freedom than to leave the dry land and set sail? New Caledonia’s South Province boasts a large number of wild, deserted islets. While some aren’t accessible, you can picnic or even camp on others. Those closest to Nouméa, such as Îlot Signal or Île Larégnère, offer the advantage of being only a few minutes away by taxi-boat. At Boulouparis, Bourail, La Foa, Thio or Île des Pins, you’ll have access to islets such as Îlot Ténia, Île Verte or Îlot Konduyo that have barely been visited. But the most unusual islet is undoubtedly the Îlot Casy. Isolated in the Great South, it is home to remnants of the penal colony era, now covered by lush vegetation.

9. Experience a night under the stars

Sleeping under the stars in exceptional places, experiencing quirky accommodation, camping in the heart of nature are all great ways to get away from your daily routine. With just a sleeping bag in tow, spend the night on the heights of the La Nera River, or on one of the many islets accessible by taxi-boat. Away from the city lights, you’ll be treated to a wonderful starry sky. Have a blast spotting the Southern Hemisphere constellations!

Here are the top quirky places to stay in South Province:

snooze in a yurt in La Foa;
stargaze in a comfortable bubble, in Farino ;
camp in a cabadienne or a treehouse tent in the Parc Provincial de la Riviere Bleue
spend a night in a safari tent in Port Ouenghi ;

10. Delve into the history of the penal colony

As witnesses to New Caledonian history, numerous sites -some that have hardly ever been visited – are waiting to be discovered. In Nouméa, a beautiful trail takes you on a journey to the oldest colonial villas in the Faubourg Blanchot. Built by settlers and convicts in the late 19th century, they have helped forge the identity of New Caledonian architecture. Remnants of the penal colony era are also to be found throughout South Province. You can see them in exhibition venues, such as the Fort Teremba or the Musée de Bourail, , but also along hiking trails, particularly in the Great South.

11. Visit a working mine

Have you ever ventured inside a mine? If not, head for the east coast, near Thio! Nickel is an integral part of the Caledonian landscape, and its mining has left its mark on the history of Grande Terre. In Thio, you’ll have the unique opportunity to visit the world’s oldest open-pit mine. In operation since 1880, the Mine du Plateau opens its doors to you once a month. Now there’s an original way to learn more about New Caledonia’s historical and mining heritage.