The Baie de Prony (Prony Bay) sits at the southern end of the main island (Grand Terre) of New Caledonia. It is named after the steamer Prony that performed a hydrographic survey of the bay between 1853 and 1855. A model of the Prony is on display beside the avenue as you walk into the village.
The landscape around the bay is characteristic of southern New Caledonia - very rich in iron ore and chrome, the earth is vivid red/orange in colour, and the hills scarred by mining operations past and present.
Prony Bay itself is rich in coral, unique shells, and marine life, and is a popular stopover and anchorage for yachts. Discovered in 1979, the bay is also home of L’aiguille de Prony (the Needle of Prony), a spectacular pyramidal reef formation sitting at 35 metres depth, 15 metres at the base and rising to just 6 metres 
below the surface. Divers liken it to a bell tower of a cathedral. It is a hydrothermally constructed concretion bristling with small turrets, from each of which flows fresh water.
The Village of Prony was founded by Captain Hippolyte Sebert in late 1867. Trees from the surrounding area were cut down and shipped to Noumea for building materials.
The 1870s saw the beginning of the extraction of cobalt and chromium in the area and in 1873 the prison administration took over and installed 150 convicts, who continued the logging operation. At night they were locked up in the prison (the ruins of which can be explored here) and during the day they would be out cutting down trees and dragging the massive trunks to the bay where coastal shipping would transport them to Noumea.
In 1887, the convicts were replaced by political exiles from France, and by 1911 the supply of lumber from the area was all but exhausted and the prison was closed. Since then the old mining village has been transformed into a cluster of holiday homes, and the prison colony and its associated stone buildings and walls have been left to the mercy of some magnificent banyan trees.
This Cache
An afternoon outing to the south from Noumea will comfortably fit a visit to Prony. Any 2WD vehicle, within reason, should be able to handle the road. The main road heading southeast out of Noumea via Plum (Route du Grand Sud/RP1/CR7) is 
spectacular at some points and tarmac all the way. It also includes a few fords just for fun. The short road down to Prony at the end is a dirt road that does get a but cut up and channeled by rain, but most vehicles should handle it fine.
Vehicles must be parked just outside the village itself (see the Parking waypoint) and entry to the village is then made on foot. Give yourself a bit of time to explore here as there is plenty of history to find here, and all the while please be respectful of the local population.
The cache itself is a pill bottle placed about 2 metres from ground level and anchored by a small rock. It is intentionally easy to find. There is no reason to interfere with any ruins. Please refer to the spoiler image and hint if necessary.
Happy Caching!!!
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