Discovery Trip Round Main Island – 10 Days 9 Nights

Day 2

Day trip to Amedee Island:

• Transfer in air conditioned bus from your hotel to and from Port Moselle
• Return boat trip to Amedee Island
• Aperitif punch
• Exotic lunch under the ‘faré’ (local thatch building) with a traditional dance and music show – the buffet lunch includes  a large selection of salads, hot dishes, desserts and local seasonal fruit
• Red and white wine – as much as you like
• Tea and coffee at the bar
• Sarong tying demonstration
• Demonstration – how to climb a coconut tree
• Various marine life observation activities offered by volunteers from the Aquarium
• The famous smallest post office in the world with the unique Amedee Island postmark
• Souvenir shop and bar
• Children’s playground, French Petanque ‘bowling’ ground, ping pong
• Loungers and shade umbrellas on the beach for your use
• Rental of snorkelling gear, stand-up paddle
• Light house entrance fee (300 XPF per adult)
• Return to Port Moselle and then back to your hotel.

Day 3

Car hire Category B (Clio II or Peugeot 206 or equivalent)
Day 3-9

Delivery of your car to Chateau Royal Hotel at 9.30am
(Return your car to Chateau Royal Hotel or to Magenta domestic airport if you are continuing your trip to the islands).

Take the road north out of Noumea for your ‘NC bush experience’! We suggest that you stop on the way at the Boulouparis niaouli distillery where you will see how the niaouli essence and perfumes are made. You can buy the various niaouli products in the shop – liqueurs, small bottles of niaouli essence, syrups, essential oils, balms, soaps, lotions, as well as local handicraft jewelry.

You can stop off at La Foa for lunch at the Banu restaurant, which offers delicious food in picturesque surroundings (to reserve call: 443119).

In Moindou, visit the Terremba Fort, a historical prison centre to see and learn about the prison buildings and prison living conditions, the local colonial history and the kanak rebellions. A permanent exhibition shows the jail, the 1878 uprising, how the site has been restored and a signposted outdoor trail will show you how the prison was organised.

Open every day from 9am-4pm.
Adult: 800 XPF – Senior : 500  XPF
Child: 6 years and above, students: 400 XPF
Guided tour (reservation required, minimum 4 people): 1500 XPF per adult.

Just before you get to Bourail, turn left, direction Poe and la Roche Percee. (Noumea – Bourail : 164 km – 2 hours 15 minutes approx).
The Roche Percee beach is famous for its ‘Bourail fellow’ – a rock shaped by erosion like a man’s head. The 3 Bay Trail starts from the Roche Percee beach and winds along the coast to Turtle Bay and then on to Lovers’ Bay. Admire the impressive colonial pine trees and the pristine turquoise water.

Poe Hotel (Available from Monday to Friday)

Night in a bungalow
Double occupancy – Continental Breakfast

The bungalows with a fully equipped kitchen are ideally located 100m from Poe beach.

Day 4

Recommended activities:

Everyone will find something to their taste on the Poe beach – for example, windsurfing, stand up paddle or kayaking. The Sheraton Deva Resort Hotel offers a wonderful 18 hole golf course. Leisurely walks and more energetic hiking are also possible on the Deva domain or along the coast.

Take the road to Kone.
Along the way you will see traces of nickel extraction on the mountains. Kone is the main town of the Northern Province. This town has recently developed thanks to its strategic position. It is the turn off point to the Kone-Tiwaka road which links the east and west coasts.

Arrival at La Néa Hotel

• Night in bungalow
• Double occupancy – Buffet Breakfast included
• Restaurant & swimming pool

Day 5

Take the Kone-Tiwaka road to the east coast which crosses the island and is famous for its beautiful landscapes (120 km -1 3/4 hours) to Hiengene. This is one of the most popular areas in New Caledonia with tourists. Its famous black limestone cliffs have been eroded into amazing shapes including the famous hen and the sphinx. The view is breathtaking from the lookout point to the south of the village. The Linderalique rocks are surprising and mysterious.

Le Koulnoue Village Hotel 

• Night in premium bungalow
• Double occupancy – Buffet Breakfast included.
• This hotel is nestled in the middle of a beautiful coconut tree grove.
• The bungalows have been totally refurbished.
• Restaurant & swimming pool.

Day 6

Make the most of your morning to discover the local sites. Admire the superb views from the viewpoint. Go northwards and take the old fashioned Ouaième river ferry to the Colnett and Tao waterfalls.  Meet up at 2pm at the Hienghene diving centre for a scenic boat trip. Take 2 hours to admire the Linderalique rocks, the ‘hen’ from the sea and then on to the village and bay of Hienghene.

Koulnoué Village Hôtel 

• Night in premium bungalow
• Double occupancy – Buffet Breakfast included.

Day 7

Leave Hienghene for Poindimie, about 1 hour’s drive away (86km). This is the main town on the East coast. Admire the lush vegetation,  mountains and white sandy beaches along the way.

Arrival at Tieti Hotel  where your tropical bungalow will be waiting for you. This charming hotel with a special Pacific atmosphere is ideally situated on the most beautiful beach of the east coast.

Visit of the Melanesian House and Customs
Meet up with your guide Alain at 1.30pm to plunge into Kanak culture and customs. He will take you to visit a tribe where you will do ‘la coutume’ (make a special welcome offering) and visit a Melanesian thatched ‘hut’ to discover the traditional way of life.

• Night in tropical bungalow
• Double room– Buffet breakfast included
• Restaurant & swimming pool.

Day 8

Departure from Tieti hotel to Sarramea / Farino, (191 km – 2 hours 45 minutes approx.) The coastline between Poindimie and Kouaoua is a diverse mix of New Caledonia landscapes with the Ponerihouen coconut groves, mountains covered in lush forests plunging into the sea and red peaks uncovered by nickel mining. The winding road which crosses the island to Farino is very picturesque.

Night at Terre de Soleil lodge (Available from Monday to Friday)

• This lodge is a haven of peace and quiet in the heart of the countryside.
• There are 4 bungalows each with a different atmosphere (modern, Pacific, African, Indian).
• They all have a private patio with a spa pool and a fireplace.
• Night in your bungalow. Dinner at the Lodge.
• We advise you to take dinner at the Lodge because it is far from any other restaurant and its food is renowned.
• Double occupancy – Buffet Breakfast

Day 9

Must see: Great Fern Park
This beautiful park, with peaks undulating between 400 and 700m, is located at the crossroads of Farino, Moindou and Sarramea villages, which are very friendly and welcoming places to visit. It was set up in 2008 with the objective of protecting the local ecosystems of dense dry forest which have an exceptionally rich biodiversity and a very high rate of native species. In 2009 the Research Institute for Social Development estimated around 500 plant species in the park. 70% of these species are endemic. The park is also home to many native birds including the Cagou, Noutou, Caledonian warbler and green pigeon.

It is open every day except Tuesdays.
Entrance fee: 300 XPF per person.

In Sarramea, take a short walk from the Evasion Hotel up the river to reach a natural bathing pool called the ‘Feuillet hole’, named after a French governor who liked to swim here.

Host tables in this area:

• Aux Delices des Jumelles, Sarramea
• Chez Mamie, Farino
• Les Bancouliers, Farino

Take the road back to Noumea (116 km – 1hour 30minutes approx.)

Drop off your rental car at Chateau Royal Hotel. Meet the car hire rep at 5.30 pm at the reception.

Chateau Royal Beach Hotel Resort & Spa

• Night in superior garden double room
• Double occupancy – Buffet breakfast included.

Or drop off the car at the Magenta domestic airport (if you are continuing your trip to the islands).

Day 10

A private car will pick you up at the hotel and take you to Tontouta International Airport (a 40 minute drive).

Rate per person:  please contact us.

This trip is offered all year round except during the peak season (15/12/2016 – 05/01/2017) and it depends on availability.