In 1864 the islands were annexed by France who in turn established it as an Aboriginal Reserve[2] as it was not believed suitable for extensive colonialization.

The island has no rivers, but has abundant vegetation, dense interior jungles, fertile soils, terraced cliffs and coral reefs.

Nearly 2 million years ago, the island was uplifted to its present shape and elevation, today it sits at a mere 60m above sea level at its highest point.

The forested Wetr district, comprising the northern part of Lifou, has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports populations of red-bellied fruit doves, grey-eared honeyeaters, New Caledonian friarbirds, New Caledonian myzomelas, fan-tailed gerygones, South Melanesian cuckooshrikes, long-tailed trillers, streaked fantails, Melanesian flycatchers, large and small Lifou white-eyes, and striated starlings.

[4] With its rich Pacific waters fish including crab, lobster, turtle are in abundance, along with typical raised animals such as goat, pig and chicken.