Discover North Province: Nature, Culture and Markets
Accommodation in North Province
North Province offers a variety of reasons to visit: the east coast of Province Nord is home to waterfalls and tropical forests, alongside hikes, horseback rides, kayak trips, markets and historic sites. These activities are linked to specific places such as Voh, Koumac, Poindimié and Hienghène. The destinations and market days can help you plan your trip.
Nature, Coast and Historic Traces
Cœur de Voh is a natural vegetation formation in a mangrove near Voh. The hike to Mont Katepaï also starts in Voh and leads to the summit, so this place offers both a landscape to admire and a named hiking destination. Important to know when travelling to Cœur de Voh: public transport does not go there. You will need a rental car or a privately guided tour.
The lagoon of Poum and its reef are listed as a natural site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A scenic road runs from Koumac via Poum and Poingam to Boat-Pass, following the coast for much of the way. Koumac is also home to Tiébaghi, a former chromium-mining village. The coastal scenery and mining history thus offer contrasting perspectives on the region.
Hiking and Horseback Riding
The GR® Nord is 86 km long and runs through the municipalities of Ponérihouen, Poindimié and Touho. The Tchamba–Saint-Thomas and Saint-Thomas–Pombéï stages pass through Poindimié. If you would rather plan your hike around specific places than just the total distance, these two stages provide a useful reference point.
In Voh, the hike to Mont Katepaï leads to the summit. Hiking on foot or on horseback, as well as scuba diving, are among the highlights of this natural region. The western plains are well suited to longer horseback rides. As well as a named summit to aim for, the region offers options for longer rides and other outdoor activities.
Kayaking and Nature by the Water
Association Odyssée offers guided sea kayaking trips and river excursions on the Amoa, led by qualified guides. From Poindimié, you can kayak to Îlot Tibarama for a day trip that includes snorkelling; the islet is just a few minutes away from Poindimié by boat. The guided sea and river excursions are distinct from the specific day trip to Îlot Tibarama, which combines kayaking and snorkelling.
The Napoémien River, near Poindimié, has spots where you can take a refreshing break. This is another way to enjoy nature around the town, in addition to the GR® Nord stages that pass through it and the possible kayak trip to Îlot Tibarama.
Kanak Culture and Markets
When visiting tribal communities, you can share bougna, a traditional Kanak dish. The guided visit to the Napoémien tribal community includes preparing bougna and learning about the uses of medicinal plants. It takes place on weekends only.
At the Hienghène market, women from the valleys and the village of Hienghène gather on Tuesdays and Fridays to display and sell local produce. The Poindimié market takes place in the town centre on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings. The market days therefore differ between the two places. If you plan to visit a market, it is best to time your trip to coincide with the relevant day of the week.
Discover more destinations: Goro, Koumac, Malabou, Koné, Hienghene, Poindimie, Voh, South Province.
For the broader travel overview: New Caledonia.
