Vaqueros 2 Charlotte Bertonneau 6713Vaqueros 2 Charlotte Bertonneau 6713
Vaqueros 2 Charlotte Bertonneau 6713Dive into the heart of the rural world on horseback
To explore the South Province on horseback is to enter a rural world of preserved traditions. Equine owner-breeders are often long-standing residents who know a lot about their island’s history. With them, the whole culture of the bush opens up to you. The stockmen generously share their testimonies of the past, their bush lifestyle, their relationship with the land. Several equestrian centers are located on livestock farms, such as Les 3 Boucles in Thio, where you can watch the cattle bathing. In this typical West Coast atmosphere, riding a horse proves to be much more than a classic horseback ride!
default
Vaqueros 2 Charlotte Bertonneau 1163
ManagerCenters with quality labels
The Comité régional de tourisme équestre (CRTE-NC) awards labels to promote equestrian facilities in New Caledonia. A guarantee of quality, safety and professionalism, these labels are based on a number of criteria. Guide qualifications, equestrian center insurance, declarations, etc. These “horseshoes” guarantee that riders are in safe hands. The following facilities have been awarded the label in South Province:
Live your Wild West dream
Eager to feel like a cowboy? Put on a hat, jeans and leather boots, and head to one of the West Coast ranches. Some passionate landowners will be delighted to share what makes them tick on a daily basis: the horses, of course, but above all this Wild West culture, worthy of the best Westerns. You only have to visit the local agricultural festivals to realize this. At the Bourail fair or the Fête de Boulouparis, there’s always a rodeo to play the stockmen! Wind pump, vintage horse-drawn carriage, gaiac furniture… At the Ranch de l’îlot Puen in Boulouparis or the Far West Ranch
Yala Ranch Charlotte Bertonneau 3782
Yala Ranch Charlotte Bertonneau 0244
Vaqueros 2 Charlotte Bertonneau 5755
A land and water experience
The South Province offers horseback riding experiences where leaving the heights to reach the shore can be done in the same day! Imagine galloping along a white sandy beach, swimming with your horses, with the mountains in the distance and the ocean in front of you… The Lebris peninsula near La Foa or the islet Puen are just some of the spots where horseback riding rhymes with the lagoon! At low tide, you can even explore the mangrove swamps. Inland, it’s in the rivers that you’ll find those magical sensations, when your horse swims with you on its back.
Service providers who can take you for a ride between land and water:
defaultTreat yourself to a one-of-a-kind experience in New Caledonia: horseback riding along the beach, with hooves sinking into warm sand or splashing through the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, seaside horseback excursions are open to all and offer a unique way to explore the stunning Caledonian coastline. At a walk, trot, or gallop, enjoy a moment of connection with nature—where sky, sea, and bushland come together. Several riding centers in the South Province offer rides at sunrise or sunset, half-day adventures, or even rides right through the water, for a fully immersive journey through the UNESCO-listed lagoon paradise.
Into river
Yala Ranch Charlotte Bertonneau 3721Dive into the heart of New Caledonia’s natural beauty with a river horseback ride—an experience as refreshing as it is unforgettable.
In the South Province, several riding centers offer guided treks along rivers or even directly through the water—an original way to explore the island’s inland bush landscapes. These river rides strike the perfect balance between adventure, relaxation, and discovery. You’ll cross shallow streams, follow the water’s edge beneath the shade of niaoulis or tree ferns, and enjoy swim breaks—for both horses and riders!
Arpentiate the Central Range on your mount
Charlotte 4952While equestrian activities often begin inside estates and ranches, they soon take to steeper terrain. Horseback riding is an original way – sometimes the only way – of accessing the landscapes of New Caledonia’s Central Range. At a slow pace, high up on your mount, you gradually climb the steep mountain slopes to reach the grandiose panoramas of the ridges. Relief, plains and ocean merge into one. Along the way, it’s a chance to get to know the endemic plant and animal species.
Get more inspirationin south province
Explore the best of the south province
