0 Likes
This overlook is about a half an hour trek from the parking lot of the regional park of the giant ferns, Le Parc des Grandes Fougeres, in the truly spectactular mountains of New Caledonia's largest island, Grande Terre.
The trail is closed to vehicles except for mountain bikes and is well kept, easy walking, and sign-posted so you can't possibly get lost. The orientation table on the top of the Pic de la Mine Launay gives a good idea of where you are. But what really impresses you when you look around is just how much land and forest wilderness there is. The tiny village of Lafoa is only a 15 minute drive from the Park and Noumea is another hour and a half away.
...
New Caledonia is the closest South Pacific Island to Australia and New Zealand. It is a French Territory and although the official language is French the culture is a blend of Melanesian, European, Polynesian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian, and more. There is one large mountainous island called Grande Terre and 6 smaller islands - the three Loyalty Islands, Belep and the Isle of Pines.The islands are remarkably unpopulated and there are vast areas of wilderness. There are hundreds of kilometers of walking treks, camp grounds, more than 42 parks and reserves, and crystal clear rivers with sparkling waterfalls. Almost one third of the population is located in the capital city of Noumea. Nickel mining is the primary industry and is the major contributor to the high standard of living in the country. Grande Terre is surrounded by the second largest barrier reef in the world and the protected lagoon created by this barrier reef is the largest in the world. Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008, the lagoon is 24,000 square kilometers and supports a diverse and luxuriant fauna of fish and invertebrates.The vibrant, clear and rich colors are one of the first things that visitors notice when they arrive. Noumea has a complete range of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and activities to welcome visitors.
