Namatanai

Introducing Namatanai

This is the second-largest town on New Ireland; it has a hotel, supermarket and a few stores (but no bank). Namatanai was an important station in the days of German occupation. Now it’s just a transit point on a pretty bay. You’ll get electricity only from 6pm to 10pm, despite the local hydro project. The Namatanai Hotel (/fax 984 3057; s K80-150, d K130-200) is right on the site of the old German station house by the waterfront. The six fusty rooms will suffice at a stretch. Meals are available for about K30. A much more welcoming option is Boluminski Guesthouse (984 3077; s/d without bathroom K85/120), a B&B-like venture run by Robert and Sandy, who will adopt you. The four fan-cooled rooms are simple but there’s not a speck of dirt to be found. The bathrooms are tip top and the mattresses are thick. Knowledgeable Robert is happy to guide you to various sites worthy of interest in the area, including waterfalls and WWII relics (from K40). Meals cost from K20. It’s in a verdant property about 3km from the centre. Recommended for solo women travellers.