Madang Getting there & around

Getting there & around

Air

Madang was headquarters of the now defunct Airlink and is consequentially feeling the pinch of the airline’s demise. Planes don’t fly between 5pm and 8pm (when the flying foxes leave their roosts) for fear of bat-strike!

Air Niugini (852 2699; fax 852 2849; Nuna St) has flights into Madang daily from Port Moresby (K487, one hour) and Wewak (K360, 40 minutes) and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday flights to Lae (K270, 30 minutes), Kimbe (K556) Rabaul (K710) and Kavieng (K660).

MAF (852 2229) and Island Airways (852 2601) are both based at the airport and service many small communities in remote areas. Their schedules vary with passenger requirements but if you are heading to the Finisterre or Bismarck Ranges or the Ramu Valley (Aiome, Simbai or Teptep), these are the guys to see. Island Airways also flies to Mt Hagen. To charter a Cessna capable of carrying four people plus luggage costs around K1450 per hour of flying time.

^ Back to top

Car & motorcycle

Car

Budget (852 1144; Coastwatchers Hotel, Coastwatchers Ave) The chauffeur service (per hr K80) includes driver, tax and fuel.

Hertz (852 3103; Modilon Rd)

^ Back to top

Boat

Lutheran Shipping (Luship; 852 2577; luship.madang@global.net.pg; Modilon Rd) is predominantly a cargo carrier but it is possible to secure passage on the weekly boat to Wewak (K79 to K107, Monday night departure), the fortnightly boat to Vanimo (via Aitape; K107 to K192) or the monthly boat to Lorengau (Manus Island). There are two classes but apparently little difference between them – both can be packed.

Rabaul Shipping (Star Ships; Lae 472 5699)has no office in town but the staff in the Lae office should be able to give you the schedule for the MV Kokopo Queen, which sails twice monthly to Vanimo (K165, two nights) via Wewak (K80, overnight). Alternatively the staff at Luship may be able to help.

^ Back to top