- Key townsLa Foa, Bourail, Koné
- From NouméaBourail ~2 h by car
- Best forRoad trips, surf, culture
- Stay2–4 nights
North of Nouméa, the RT1 road runs up the West Coast through towns like La Foa, Bourail, Koné and Koumac. It is cowboy country, called 'brousse' by locals, with cattle stations, rodeos and a relaxed small-town feel.
Bourail
Bourail, about 2 hours from Nouméa, is the coast's beach capital. Don't miss La Roche Percée and the 'Bonhomme' rock, the column-pine-lined Turtle Bay (Baie des Tortues) where turtles nest in the warm season, and Poé beach, a calm lagoon beach good for snorkelling, kitesurfing and paddleboarding. The Bourail fair each August brings rodeo, livestock shows and food stalls.
History and the Heart of Voh
Near Moindou, Fort Teremba is a restored penal-era fort from the 1870s. Further north, the mangroves at Voh hide the famous Heart of Voh, a natural heart-shaped clearing best seen on a scenic flight.
Tips
- Hire a car in Nouméa or at La Tontouta; public transport is limited. See car hire.
- Fill up when you can: fuel stations are spread out north of Koné.
- Avoid driving unlit rural roads at night because of animals and pedestrians.
Stay in West Coast
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Top sights in West Coast
La Roche Percée & Turtle Bay
Sculpted cliffs, surf beaches and a pine-fringed bay where turtles nest.
Read guide →
Heart of Voh
A natural heart-shaped clearing in the mangroves, made famous from the air.
Read guide →Header photo: Photo: Biglolo, CC BY-SA 4.0
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