Be wowed by this imposing construction set in the middle of a typical Great Southern landscape with its river, lake, red earth and maquis minier shrubland!
At 45 metres high and 641 metres long, the Yaté hydroelectric dam in the largest in New Caledonia. Opened in 1959 to supply electricity to factory furnaces belonging to Société Le Nickel (SLN), the structure took 4 years to build and was a massive undertaking requiring more than 1,500 workers. You can admire it from afar or enjoy a guided tour of the premises (several times a year—check the schedule). Sports enthusiasts should be aware that La Gigawatt, an annual running race famous throughout New Caledonia, starts from the dam! Right beside the dam, a 9 km hike known as the “Route à Horaires de Yaté” offers unique views of the mouth of the Yaté, its red earth banks and the lake’s green islands.
Note: swimming is not permitted downstream of the dam for safety reasons.
Note: swimming is not permitted downstream of the dam for safety reasons.
