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Grand Terre is one of the largest islands in the South Pacific measuring 500-km long, 50-km wide and surrounded by a 1600-km long coral reef. With diverse landscapes fractured by towering mounatins, the patient traveller will find much to do on this island. However, for most holiday-makers, the island is simply too empty and too subtle to make an impact on tourism with long drives between sights and few beach resorts along its coast to enjoy. Those that do seek out the hidden adventures of the island should head north from the international airport at Tontuata.
The peaceful moauntain retreat of Sarramea and La Foa is the best spot to get active with some good mounatin hikes, horse riding along fertile river valleys, and adventure tours including canoeing and caving. This region lies an hour drive to the north of the international airport making it as accessible as the seaside capital of Noumea which lies the same dsiatnce south of the airport.
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Hotel Evasion, Sarramea, Inland, Grand Terre
Euro € 156 per couple
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Hotel Evasion is a delightful rainforest retreat in the charming tropical mountains of Sarramea, twenty minutes inland from La Foa or a two hour drive north of Noumea. This boutique retreat offers ten private bungalows in landscaped garden, a swimming pool, restaurant and spa.
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Naina Park, La Foa, Inland, Grand Terre
Euro € 80 per couple
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Naina Park is set in leafy gardens on the outskirts of La Foa town on the dry west coast of Grand Terre, two hours drive north of Noumea. Ten individual bungalows, traditionally designed but with modern interior furnishings make this a good spot for adventurous travellers looking to explore the nearby rivers and mountains.
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The most scenic region is the coast around Hieghene which is a four hour drive up the coast and across the rugged mounatins to the humid west side of the island . Here, high mountains tumble to the coast and there are plenty of remote tribal villages in the tropical interior to explore.
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Tieti Tera Resort, East Coast, Grand Terre
Euro € 102 - 192 per couple
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Tieti Tera is a modern resort mid way along the tropical east coast of Grand Terre about three hours north of Noumea. With a long sweeping sandy beach and decent swimming lagoon, mountains to explore and stylish bungalows, Tieti Tera is the most upmarket resort on Grand Terre outside of Noumea.
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Koulnoue Village Resort, Hienghene, Grand Terre
Euro € 108 per couple
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Koulnoue Resort is located a few kilometres south of Hienghene and its scenic coastline. With 50 rooms in duplex bungalows and set in a large coconut plantation fronting a pretty beach, Koulnoue is a good choice for families looking for an affordable beach holiday or for travellers exploring this scenic region of Grand Terre.
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The prettiest beaches on Grand Terre are found at the very northern tip of the island around the region of Poum. Althiugh there are some accommodations around Poum, travellers can also stay in Kone Town which acts as the business centre for the northern province and is the gateway to the wealthy Nickel mines in the interior.
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Hotel Hibiscus, Kone, Grand Terre
Euro € 107 - 141 per couple
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Hibiscus Hotel is located at the entrance to the mining and business town of Kone on the north west side of Grand Terre. Hibiscus is a modern hotel with neat air-conditioned rooms, landscaped rock gardens and a nice swimming pool and makes a convenient base for those looking to explore the northern end of Grand Terre.
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