South Province: Nature and History

South Province can be explored through two distinct themes: protected natural areas and specific historical sites. At Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, protected areas and a canoe trip to Forêt Noyée are part of the nature experience. Fort Teremba offers a glimpse into the history of administration and penal servitude; the Musée Maritime de Nouvelle-Calédonie and the historic site Île Nou – Bagne de Nouville in Nouméa add further historical perspectives. When planning your trip, first consider which theme matters more to you. This provides a clear starting point for finding a hotel and planning your stay.

Protected Nature and a River Trip

Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue is a protected area in Province Sud and also includes the two nature reserves of Haute Pourina and Haute Yaté. You can canoe down the river to the famous Forêt Noyée. The canoe trip gives your nature itinerary a clear destination; check water conditions and access requirements before travelling.

Parc Provincial Zoologique et Forestier is accessible only by car or active modes of transport; there is no public transport. Check the latest official access information before your visit, as transport arrangements may change. Take this restriction into account when planning your journey.

Places of History

Fort Teremba was established in 1871 as a penal and administrative centre for the Uaraï area, which included La Foa, Farino and Moindou. These three place names specify the area the centre was established to serve. In the wider destination of New Caledonia, Fort Teremba, built in Moindou, is a historic monument and an open-air museum about the history of the penal colony and the Kanak uprisings. The museum features a permanent exhibition on New Caledonia’s penal colony and the history of the fort; interactive terminals, audiovisual presentations, models and figures are part of the exhibition.

Two other historical themes can be explored in Nouméa: the Musée Maritime de Nouvelle-Calédonie traces the maritime history of the area. The historic site Île Nou – Bagne de Nouville was a prison from 1864 to 1927, housing more than 22,000 convicts. Maritime history and penal servitude thus stand side by side as distinct themes, with the period of the prison’s history clearly defined.

New Caledonia in the Wider Travel Picture

In the wider destination of New Caledonia, the lagoons are home to an extraordinary variety of coral and fish species. They also form a continuous sequence of habitats, ranging from mangroves to seagrass meadows. This natural connection offers another perspective on the landscapes of New Caledonia.

Bougna is also part of New Caledonia’s culinary heritage. It is usually made with fish or meat, tubers, Poingo bananas and coconut milk. It is cooked in banana leaves surrounded by hot stones. At tribal accommodations in La Foa, Bourail, Yaté, Hienghène and on the islands, you can take part in preparing bougna in a traditional Kanak earth oven.

The Centre culturel Tjibaou in Nouméa combines an arts centre focused on Kanak culture with a museum, a venue, a library and a boutique. Its collection of contemporary Kanak and Oceanian art comprises more than 600 works, some of which are on permanent display. The collection and the centre’s different functions offer several ways to engage with the art and culture of New Caledonia.

In the wider destination of New Caledonia, Domaine de Deva in Bourail has 158 kilometres of marked hiking, horse-riding and mountain-biking trails. They pass through 1,700 hectares of dry forest, home to numerous protected endemic species. Another nature activity can be found in and around Parc des Grandes Fougères: there are streams and rivers for swimming in cool freshwater, including Cœur de Farino, set into the rock.

Discover more destinations: Plum, Nouméa, L'île-Des-Pins, Vao, Yate, Bourail, Le Mont-Dore, Paita, Dumbéa, Bouloupari, La Tontouta, Sarraméa.

Return to the wider travel overview: New Caledonia.