Finschhafen Area Getting there & around

Getting there & around

Nearly all Madang-bound boats call at Finschhafen (at either Maneba or Buki wharf, maybe even both). Banana boats usually only go as far as Buki. Lutheran Shipping’s comfortable Gejamsao had been in ‘dry-dock’ for two months when we passed through and no one seemed to know if schedules were to be resumed – ask around.

Harbor Star Shipping (472 2993; Ipi Bldg, 2nd St) runs MV Orion, which departs from the Luship wharf at Voco Point for Buka wharf every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday morning between 9am and 10am, returning the following day. The tickets (deck/air-con/1st class K40/50/80) can be bought at the wharf prior to departure. The trip takes six hours and is met by PMV trucks that trundle to Gagidu Station (K1.50).

Alternatively, banana boats (K50, three to four hours) leave from Lae and Buki Point Beach when they’re full – usually in the morning. They won’t run in bad weather, which is frequent between June and September.

Tough-as-nails PMVs run between Gagidu and Maneba over a diabolical road (1½ hours, K5).