Leave Nouméa behind and set your course for the southern tip of Grande Terre, in the villages of Yaté and Le Mont-Dore! Here, the arid, red earth is adorned with lakes and rivers and surrounded by prehistoric flora. This unexpected landscape offers an extensive playground for outdoor activities, including hiking on the GR® NC1 and provincial trails, mountain biking and kayaking in the Blue River Park (Parc de la Rivière Bleue), swimming, whale watching in the lagoon, and encountering the cagou, the native New Caledonia iconic bird, in its natural habitat…
To reach the Great South by car from Nouméa, head towards Boulari in the southern village of Le Mont-Dore. From there, you have two possible routes. The first option takes you on the road to Yaté, passing through the stunning Blue River Park (Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue), offering superb views and scenery. Plan for a 1-hour drive to reach the park and 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the village of Yaté. The second option follows the road south to Prony, a journey of 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the village. While parts of the road are unpaved, it remains in good condition, and there’s no need to hire a 4×4. Guided tours are also available from Nouméa.
The Great South is the ultimate destination for observing New Caledonia’s iconic wildlife in its natural habitat: humpback whales can be spotted from mid-July to mid-September on day cruises, multi-day cruises, or from Cape N’Dua; while cagous, the native bird known for its distinctive barking call, can be found at Blue River Park (Rivière Bleue Provincial Park).
