Roadtrips: New Caledonia in a week

Great hiking or other activities at the Great Ferns Park. Farino is a good place to explore the West Coast.
Advice for accommodation: several campsites (in discussion with Farino town hall to make a stop ;).

Take the transversal road at Farino, in the direction of Kouaoua to switch to the East Coast. Lush vegetation contrasts with the red mining soil.

Viewpoints on the mines still in activity, observe the conveyor belt of several tens of kilometres which brings the ore to its loading area on a mineral boat at Kouaoua: Impressive!
Take the direction of Poro, a red twisted road which overhangs the mines.
Cross Houailou then Ponerihouen, a real haven of peace. Do not hesitate to stop at the women’s markets, their products are good and you can talk to them.
Advice for accommodation: Tiakan campsite. Very good value for money, by the sea, hot and clean shower, very nice.

To do: diving on the coral reef in Poindimié, Aqualagoon professionalism.

Advice for accommodation: Baboo campsite in Hienghène. Very good value for money, by the sea, cold shower but clean and very nice. Possibility to dive with them too. If you need an electric hook-up, let them know beforehand so that they can reserve a place for you to plug in.

Commencez par aller voir la fameuse poule de Hienghène, que vous n’avez peut-être pas encore eu le temps de voir, soit du haut du belvédère en arrivant dans le village, soit par la mer en louant un canoë chez Baboo, un vrai régal.
L’office de tourisme de Henghène est très dynamique, il y a beaucoup d’activité sur place, ainsi que d’autres hébergements possibles, rester plusieurs jours est recommandé…

Reprendre la route en passant par le bac de Ouaïeme, le dernier bac encore en activité. MapsMe ou autre GPS vous indiquera une route coupée, mais ce n’est pas le cas pour ce passage de ferry.
Longez la côte Est, des paysages magnifiques et époustouflants, jusqu’aux cascades de Tao et Colnett.

Continuez sur cette route provinciale Nord 10 (n’hésitez pas à vous arrêter à Pouébo), jusqu’au col d’Amos, avec des traversées tranquilles des tribus. Profitez des petites échoppes qui pullulent sur le bord de la route pour laisser quelques pièces et faire le plein de produits frais et savoureux. Cette confiance est si agréable et irréelle dans notre société…
Conseils pour l’hébergement : Parking sur Yambé avant Pouebo en bord de mer. Il est bon d’aller voir le vieil homme qui y habite et de lui glisser un billet de 500…
Vous pouvez aussi vous garer en toute tranquillité au col d’Amos, avec un point de vue ou le départ de randonnées, sans aucun service.
Sinon, vous trouverez de nombreux campings sur votre chemin.

Get back on the road and enjoy these new and different landscapes, more arid. Do not hesitate to make a small diversions to Ouégoa, very quick, the women of the stalls will be very happy to see you, they are so nice. Continue to Koumac, where all the city services are present, then head for Poum, then Poingam.
At this point of Poingam, near the gite of Poingam, very famous for its table, its camping, several departures of hikes are well marked. If you have at least 2 hours, I advise you to go to the salt marshes and experience the unusual by going to the clay mud bath, followed by a sea bath and its small shower with Niaouli hydrolate (participation according to your heart), magnificent moment…

Lodging advice: possibility of staying at the Poingam campsite on the edge of the beautiful Poingam beach, or go as far as Boat Pass in the extreme north of New Caledonia, where it is possible to park in peace but without services, without disturbing the launching of the boats, presence of picnic tables.

Long day of driving on the West Coast…
Possibility to stop at the stocksmen, call them beforehand.

Lodging advice : a wild camping area is authorized and indicated near the beach of Poé in Bourail.

To do: diving with the glass boat (giant turtles and discovery of the coral reef if it is not done, and that at a very correct price), the Roche Percée, the bay of the Turtles, the Bay of the lovers, the Park of Déva. In fact, it gives a nice program for 2 more days… But you will have to choose….
Then think about going back to Païta with another 2h30 drive at least and a small diversions to Bourail for the car wash. No other car wash between Bourail and Païta.
You will thus have done a large part of the tour of the mainland, unfortunately incomplete tour because you will not have seen the south of the island, magnificent, unavoidable it is true, in the discovery of New Caledonia. You would need at least 2 more days for that, 3 would be perfect…