Blue River Park

The Blue River Park (Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue) protects the red earth and endemic forest of southern New Caledonia, a landscape that grows on nickel-rich soil and looks like nowhere else. A drowned forest of bleached kaori trunks stands in the Yaté reservoir at its entrance, and the Grand Kaori, a thousand year old tree, is reached by a short trail. The park is the best place to see the cagou, the flightless grey bird that is the emblem of the territory and barks like a dog. Cars stop at the gate, and visitors continue by shuttle, bicycle or on foot.