A forest trail to a thousand-year-old tree, and an encounter with the kagu
At a glance
- Category
- Hikes
- Area
- The Great South
- Distance
- 4 km
- Elevation gain
- 50 m
- Time
- 1.5 h
- Difficulty
- 1 out of 5
- With children
- Yes
- Best time
- Morning (the kagus are active)
- Places to stay nearby
- 5 places to stay within 10 km
An easy walk in the Rivière Bleue provincial park to the Grand Kaori, a tree about a thousand years old. On the way you often meet the kagu, the flightless bird that is New Caledonia's emblem.
Route. From the centre of the park, along a forest track and a path to the kauri. Bikes and kayaks can be rented in the park.
- Arrive at opening time
- An hour's drive from Nouméa
On the map
Orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.
Where to stay nearby: Rivière Bleue park: the Grand Kaori
All places to stay in the area →
Distance from the sight as the crow flies: Refuge des Tristaniopsis — 2.7 km; Refuge des Muletiers — 6.7 km; Camp des Fougères — 7.9 km; Refuge de la Mine Soleil — 9.8 km.
Tours nearby
All tours on the island →
History and towns
Nouméa: the Tjibaou Centre and the baysRenzo Piano's architecture, the Lagoon Aquarium and the Ouen Toro lookout
Half a dayAll year≈ 25 km
Canyons and thrills
Rivière Bleue park: kayaking through the drowned forestRed earth, white trunks in the water and the kagu bird
A full dayAll year; park closed on Mondays≈ 26 km
Sea and lagoon
A day on Amédée lighthouse isletA cast-iron lighthouse from 1865, a lagoon with turtles and lunch on the islet
A full dayAll year≈ 29 kmMore to see nearby
Museum
Tjibaou Cultural Centre
The centre of Kanak culture, in buildings by Renzo Piano≈ 25 km
Beach
Anse Vata
Nouméa's main beach, with kitesurfing and a promenade≈ 30 km
Beach
Baie des Citrons
A calm bay lined with bars — Nouméa's evening scene≈ 31 km
Museum
Lagoon Aquarium
Life in the lagoon: corals, nautiluses, sea snakes≈ 31 kmOpening hours, prices and rules are a rough guide: check official websites before you go.