Kerema Getting there & around

Getting there & around

Bad weather causes frequent flight disruptions and cancellations and, much to the locals’ dismay, the airlines refuse to carry betel nut.

Airlines PNG (648 1251) flies between Port Moresby and Kerema (K459) daily except Sunday. Flights continue to Balimo (K574, Monday and Friday), Kikori (K390, daily except Sunday), Daru (K571, Monday and Friday), Mt Hagen (K541, Thursday) and Kiunga (via Lake Murray, Obo and Suki on Saturday). At the time of research Airlines PNG had indefinitely suspended many services to smaller airstrips; however, it may be worth enquiring about flights if you are of the Indiana Jones ilk.

North Coast Aviation (648 1230) flies three times a week from Kerema to Lae (K417) via Kamina (K171), Kaintiba (K204), Kanabea (K204) and Menyamya (K252) although the exact route varies with who wants to get off where.

Hevi Lift (648 1230) also operates a Monday flight to and from Moresby and Kikori, and a Wednesday flight to Mt Hagen which returns to Kerema on Thursday.

PMVs travel the Hiritano Hwy on a good year between Port Moresby’s Erima bus stop and Kerema (five hours, daily). The road, however, is in dire need of some TLC and currently vehicles are only able to get as far as Malalaua (K20, four hours), from where you will have to catch a dinghy (K50, two hours). Don’t risk travelling in stormy weather, and be sure to pick up some mud crabs at the mouth of the river before crossing the bay to Kerema.