Hienghène
A northeast coast town below black limestone rocks shaped like a brooding hen.
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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.
What you actually see
- 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.
Honest expectations
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.
What to pack for Hienghène
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.