Hienghène

Hienghène sits where a river meets the sea on the northeast coast, and the rock formations at the river mouth are what people come for: black weathered limestone standing out of the water, one group of which is universally read as a hen sitting on eggs and another as a sphinx. The coast here is a UNESCO-inscribed part of the New Caledonian lagoon system, and the country behind is steep, forested and central to Kanak life.

Background

In the Fwâi language the commune is called Hyehen. It covers 1068.8 square kilometres, rises from 0 to 1628 metres, and counted 2454 residents in the 2019 census. The islets of Hienghène Bay are what remains of a layer of limestone and silica that spread over the entire bay some 40 million years ago. Wind and water wore away the softer limestone and left the harder silica standing in odd shapes. Besides the Hen and the Sphinx, one group carries the name Towers of Notre Dame. The commune is also home to Hienghène Sport, a football club in the New Caledonia Super Ligue.

Source: Wikipedia, "Hienghène"

What's there

• The brooding hen rocks - black limestone at the river mouth read as a sitting hen.
• The sphinx rock - the second formation along the same shore.
• The river mouth - where the Hienghène river meets the lagoon.
• The forested interior - the steep country rising behind the coast.

When to go

April to November is the dry cooler season. The northeast coast is the wettest part of the territory. Cyclone season runs November to April.

What to expect

The drive from Nouméa takes about five hours on winding roads. This is the wettest region and rain is frequent. Accommodation is limited and books out.

Nearby

Tao Waterfall is north, and Poindimié is south.

Key facts