Things to do in Oro Province
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Buna and Gona
The villages of Buna and Gona became Japanese bases during WWII and were the scene of some of the most desperate fighting of the war. At Giropa Plantation, on the Buna Rd, a Japanese plaque commemorates the country's dead.
Most of what remains of the bases is covered with overgrowth and a guide is necessary to work out what went on where. Basil Tindeba, from Buna, knows his way around the area pretty well; ask for him at the Oro Guesthouse and try to give a few days' notice. Another recommended guide is Maclaren Hiari MBE, who runs the Kokoda Buna Historical Foundation (tel: 329 7627). He lives two doors east of the Oro Guesthouse. These guys charge for their guiding and …
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trekking
There is a network of tracks in the area ideal for trekking. Many follow the ria around the coast. Other tracks can be quite difficult; you must be fit. Tufi Dive Resort can arrange a guide and village stays, or you could take your chances and ask around yourself. The villages and the resort can arrange boats to pick you up at various locations at the end of your walk.
Orchids, birds and butterflies can also been seen in the surrounding jungles and again, Tufi Dive Resort can arrange guides to view these.
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Mt Lamington
The 1585m peak of Mt Lamington is clearly visible from Popondetta. The mountain still shakes and puffs a little and local residents paid no attention to a slight increase in activity in 1951. However when the mountainside suddenly blew out and a cloud of super-heated gases rushed down, about 3000 people died and 8000 were left homeless. It is estimated the temperature stood near 200°C for about 90 seconds, and the gas cloud rolled down at over 300km/h.
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Diving
Diving is one of Tufi's great attractions; there is consistent 30m-plus visibility and one diver we met said 'there are more fish than water out there'. Maloway, Cyclone Reef and Marion Reef are memorable, and the muck diving under Tufi wharf is exceptional. Nearby are some WWII ships easily accessible in shallow water, while the famous B17 'Black Jack' bomber is down the coast. For a full list of dives, with pictures, see www.tufidive.com/diving.html.
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trekking tours
Mt Lamington has been fairly calm since its last eruption in 1951 and keen bushwalkers can climb it today. The Oro Guesthouse and Birdwing Butterfly Lodge can provide information and arrange guides, and Ecotourism Melanesia has trekking tours around Mt Lamington.
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fishing
Local villages can provide outrigger canoes (the standard form of transport) if you want to go fishing, and the dive resort's dive boat also does fishing trips.
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