Blue River Provincial Park
Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue
A nature reserve on the red-soil plateau of the main island’s south, where a thousand-year-old giant kauri, bright blue river water and the kagu, the national bird, make a unique landscape.
Blue River Provincial Park lies in the southern province, about 1.5 hours’ drive southeast of Nouméa. It covers roughly 9,000 hectares on red soil rich in nickel and iron, and its vegetation is dominated by plants found only in New Caledonia. The river looks clear blue because of its minerals and white riverbed, creating a striking contrast with the red earth and green forest. Highlights include: a giant kauri (Agathis lanceolata) known as the Grand Kaori, said to be over a thousand years old; the submerged dead forest in Lac de Yaté; and the kagu, New Caledonia’s national bird, which cannot fly. The park is one of the best places to see kagu in the wild, and they often appear by the trails early in the morning. The park has several trails, picnic areas and campsites. You can drive into the first section, but deeper areas require the park’s shuttle bus. Entry for adults is about XPF 400 (confirm on site). Note: the park can only be reached by car, entry hours are limited, and it is usually closed on Mondays. There is no mobile signal in the mountains, so bring plenty of water and food. Some sections close during the rainy season when the river rises.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun approx. 7:00–17:00 (closed Mondays)
Nearby sights
- Monts Koghis
- Tjibaou Cultural Centre
- Madeleine Falls
- Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park
- Prony Bay Whale Watching
- St Joseph's Cathedral
- Nouméa City Museum
- Place des Cocotiers