Things to do in Morobe Province
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Rainforest Habitat
Visiting the Rainforest Habitat is like stepping into a microcosm of PNG's most exotic flora and fauna. It comprises about 3000 sq metres of reconstructed rainforest inside a covered shade house. It incorporates a lake, raised walkways and an abundance of plants and birds. Planting began in 1994 when 10,000, mostly native, plants were placed into the habitat. The guesthouse here has bunk beds, shared bathrooms and kitchen, which will appeal to those wanting to be near to nature, and far from everything else. Ring first.
Most people come to see the bird of paradise collection and orchid garden although the real star is 'Argo', the huge and largely inactive saltwater crocod…
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Tami Islands
Tami Islands are an idyllic collection of four coral atolls and every bit the South Sea cliché you could hope for - white sandy beaches, friendly locals, coconut palms and good snorkelling with none of the pesky western intrusions such as electricity, shops, food and reliable transport.
Tami Islanders are renowned carvers and you'll most certainly be shown the famous Tami Island bowls, although it is possible to purchase these on the mainland at Malasiga, a village recently settled by the Islanders. Enquire around Dregerhafen for boat departure times to the islands - market days are best. Unless you charter, plan to stay the night.
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Lae War Cemetery
Lae War Cemetery, just south of the Botanical Gardens, is meticulously maintained by the Australian Government. There are 2808 graves here, 2363 of which are Australian and most of the rest are Indian, New Zealand and British. An Anzac (Australian New Zealand Army Corp) Day dawn service is held here every year commemorating those who lost their lives during WWII. If the war seems rather distant and unreal, pay a visit and read some of the headstones; the tributes can be quite moving.
There are security guards and it's quite safe to visit.
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Botanical Gardens
Botanical gardens offers a pleasant stroll through a small patch of rainforest and grassland in the centre of Lae. The huge, vine-covered trees host colourful birds and butterflies, and the gardens have an exotic orchid collection. Officially, it's closed on weekdays but the guards at either the main northern gate (near the RAAF DC-3) or the southern gate (near Lae War Cemetery) usually let you in. Try to avoid coming here alone or phone ahead for a guide from the Forest Research Institute.
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Club 69
This is currently the club of choice with locals and expats alike. Security is top notch, which means you should be able to shake your booty to an eclectic mix of local reggae, R&B, hip-hop and pop on the packed dance floor in safety. There's no street sign; watch for the queue outside the stadium.
Lone women should find a friend before heading to a nightclub and generally travellers need to exercise judgement before embarking on a blinder in a public forum.
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Butterfly Ranch
Perhaps the most viable of the WEI's activities is its Butterfly Ranch. It supplies collectors around the world with examples of PNG's astounding variety of insects. The philosophy is that villagers earn money by collecting and selling butterflies, beetles and other insects that have already laid their eggs, thereby ensuring the procreation of their species. While earning an income, villagers also interact more closely with their environment.
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uplifted marine terraces
Further down the coast towards Sialum are some of the world's best examples of uplifted marine terraces. From the air it is possible to appreciate the ancient coral reefs that have been thrust upwards to form a geological staircase. The entire area, which also incorporates the Bobongara archaeological site (the oldest human habitation site in the Pacific outside of Australia), has been nominated as a World Heritage listing.
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Aero Bar
A quiet bar overlooking the foyer of the hotel and kitted out with WWII photography and aviation memorabilia. Collared shirts are mandatory. Downstairs the casual Sportsman Bar (open 09:00 till late) has a large-screen TV and slightly cheaper beer.
Lone women should find a friend before heading to a nightclub and generally travellers need to exercise judgement before embarking on a blinder in a public forum.
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Lae Yacht Club
The airy, informal 'Yachty' is in a prime position on the harbour and is good for both drinking and eating. Its Tuesday and Friday night barbecues are excellent value (your choice of steak plus chips and myriad salads). The clientele is largely (but not solely) drawn from the dwindling expat community. It's a great place to meet people even if at times the conversation can seem rather divorced from PNG realities.
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Aviat Club
Serves the cheapest beer and reasonable Chinese; it's a very local scene with snooker tables, pokies and a band most Wednesdays. The main bar is members-only but the nightclub is not and considerably rougher.
Lone women should find a friend before heading to a nightclub and generally travellers need to exercise judgement before embarking on a blinder in a public forum.
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WWII Dump
Towards the end of WWII the area was used as a staging post for US troops and vast numbers of GIs passed through. The war's abrupt end left millions of dollars worth of aircraft and equipment redundant, so the whole lot was bulldozed into a huge hole; ask at Dregerhafen High School, about 4km south of Gagidu Station, for directions.
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Planet Rock
A big nightclub opposite the old airfield where the music is deafening and security both inside and out is necessarily tight. There's no extra charge for fighting.
Lone women should find a friend before heading to a nightclub and generally travellers need to exercise judgement before embarking on a blinder in a public forum.
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Melanesian Arts Gallery & Tour Agency
Beside the old airstrip, the Melanesian Arts Gallery & Tour Agency is crammed from floor to rafter with an excellent array of artefacts. Beside the obligatory penis gourds you can pick up items from all over PNG including Sepik masks, Highland shields and Tami Island bowls. Prices are reasonable and shipping can be arranged.
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Wau Ecology Institute
There are several places around Wau and Bulolo of interest to walkers and nature lovers, particularly those with a thing for insects. The Wau Ecology Institute seems to be steadily running down, but its laboratory, library, museum, lecture theatre, large insect collection and accommodation are still operating.
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swimming spots
Although there isn't a lot to do in Finschhafen, its proximity to Lae and abundance of white sandy beaches make it a great weekend escape. Butaweng waterfalls and Langemack Bay are the pick of the mainland swimming spots. Better still, slap on the sun screen and take a day trip to Tami Island.
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Stargate Food Bar
One of the more popular kai bars (cheap takeaway food bar) around town with a few tables and chairs. A greasy plate of kaukau (sweet potato), aibika (greens) creamed with coconut and chicken comes heaped with a lot of local conversation.
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Vanda Restaurant
A classy seafood buffet is served on Friday evenings and an equally scrumptious brunch buffet (10:00 to 14:00) on Sunday. Otherwise the mix of well-prepared international dishes includes crocodile satay, Mt Wilhelm trout and white-chocolate cheesecake.
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Mt Lunaman
To the southeast of town Mt Lunaman or, more correctly, Lo' Wamung (First Hill), was used by the Germans and Japanese as a lookout point. The Japanese riddled it with caves and tunnels, though none of these are open today. Don't go here alone.
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Lae Game Fishing Club
Keen to hook a blue marlin or yellow-finned tuna? Your best bet is to contact the Lae Game Fishing Club based at the Lae Yacht Club. Although they don't officially run charters they may put you in touch with locals who do.
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Pagini Tours
Expat Fred Cook runs this one-man operation out of the Lae International Hotel. He specialises in small-group day trips around Lae and can, with advance notice, arrange game-fishing charters.
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Momahi Tours
Based in a guesthouse outside of town on the way to the airport, this locally owned operation tours nearby crocodile farms, Potsie and Gabensis villages and runs picnic trips to Erap River.
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Smoked Bodies
The best place to view a smoked body is at Watama, a village within an easy walk of Menyamya. Ask at the Menyamya provincial authority, which will contact the relevant village elders.
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Unitech
About 8km out of town and located in some nicely landscaped parks and gardens. The Matheson Library is impressive, as are Duncanson Hall's 36 Sepik-style carved pillars.
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Luluai's Italian Restaurant
Possibly the best pizzas in PNG. Can't say the same for the pasta. The menu is also shared with the Kokomo Coffee Shop next door, which makes the cakes they both serve.
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Lae Golf Course
If golf is your game, the Lae Golf Course is one of the best in PNG and has a fine clubhouse. Clubs can be rented for around from the SIL Guesthouse.
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