Sights in Port Moresby
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Parliament Haus
The impressive Parliament Haus was officially opened in 1984 with Prince Charles on hand. The main building is in the style of a Maprik, or Sepik-style, haus tambaran, while the attached, circular cafeteria building follows Highland design principles. The façade is quite stunning, with a mosaic featuring unmistakably PNG motifs. Photographers with wide-angle lenses will be rewarded with great shots in the late afternoon light.
The cavernous lobby is entered through doors whose handles are stylised kundu drums (an hourglass-shaped drum with lizard skin). Inside, huge Sepik masks share space with several display cases full of fantastic butterflies, including the native Que…
reviewed
-
Varirata National Park
Right after the small store at Laloki River Gorge is the turn-off to Varirata National Park which, at 1000 hectares and over 800m high, is the highlight of the Sogeri Rd. It's 8km from the turn-off and you'll find six clearly marked walking trails ranging from 45 minutes to three hours long, and some excellent lookouts back to Port Moresby and the coast. The bird-watching here can be rewarding, with an array of kingfishers and Raggiana birds of paradise as highlights.
It's possible to camp here, but unless you're in a large group, it's potentially unsafe. The best place is on the grass outside the derelict huts. There are pit toilets. Speak to the ranger-in-charge (if you…
reviewed
-
National Botanic Gardens
At the northern end of Waigani Dr, just beyond the University of Papua New Guinea, the National Botanic Gardens are an island of calm and beauty in the midst of an otherwise lacklustre city. Don't miss them! There is more than 2km of boardwalk threading under and through the jungle canopy; well-maintained lawns and gardens displaying both local and exotic plant species, and probably the best collection of native and hybrid orchids in PNG.
There are also some excellent wildlife displays, such as tree kangaroos, hornbills, cassowaries, a giant python, and a large aviary that houses parrots and birds of paradise (the only chance most visitors get to see them).
reviewed
-
National Museum
All the exhibits at the National Museum, just beyond Parliament Haus, sit under a fine film of dust. But you can happily spend an hour or so looking at the displays that cover the geography, fauna, culture, ethnography and history of PNG. There are superb examples of masks, shields and totems, a magnificent Milne Bay outrigger canoe decorated in cowrie shells, and a display showing how bilums are made.
Photography is not allowed, but you can take pictures of the few birds, lizards and snakes living in the courtyard.
reviewed
-
Hanuabada
Past the docks to the north lies Hanuabada, the original Motu village. Although it is still built over the sea on stilts, the original wood and thatched houses were destroyed by fire during WWII. They were rebuilt in all-Australian building materials, corrugated iron and fibrocement, but it's an interesting place and the people have retained many traditional Motu customs.
You cannot simply wander around the villages if you are not a guest or if you don't have a local guide, but your hotel should be able to suggest someone.
reviewed
-
Ela Beach
On the southern side of Town is the long, sandy stretch of Ela Beach. The beachfront promenade is a popular walk during the day, though the sands are not full of sunbathers these days. Even locals perceive this area as potentially unsafe. If you do swim here, you'll attract a lot of attention, but the biggest threat may be the shallow water, thick seaweed and black, spiny and painful sea urchins - you might prefer to take to the waters at your hotel swimming pool.
reviewed
-
Hombrum Bluff Lookout
A few kilometres down the dreadful Kokoda Track road (barely navigable in a 2WD in the dry season only) is a turn-off left (west) back towards Port Moresby. This is the Hombrum Bluff road that runs along the top of the Laloki River canyon wall. It leads to Hombrum Bluff Lookout that rises 1300m and was used as a retreat for the military brass during WWII. Below is Seventeen Mile which was an important base camp for more than 400 soldiers.
reviewed
-
Old Parliament Building
The Old Parliament Building was never an architectural wonder, but its opening as the House of Assembly in 1964 was a significant milestone on PNG's road to independence. Sadly, the shell it has become symbolises the country's steady decline in recent years; it is occupied by squatters and buai-sellers. Despite its majestic hilltop position overlooking Town and the port, there's nothing that indicates its former significance.
reviewed
-
Bomana War Cemetery
It's only 46km to Sogeri but there is enough to see to make it a full-day trip. The first stop is the large and carefully tended Bomana War Cemetery, where 4000 PNG and Australian WWII soldiers are buried; American soldiers who died in PNG were generally shipped home for burial. It's a serene yet sobering place. PMV 16 from Gordons Market runs past the gate.
reviewed
-
Laloki River gorge
A few kilometres past the Bomama War Cemetery cemetery, the road winds up the impressive Laloki River gorge and you're soon more than 600m above sea level. There are several viewing points looking into the gorge and up to the Rouna Falls and power station. Just beyond is a small store and a track leading to the rundown Kokoda Trail Motel.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Ela United Church
There is little of historical interest remaining in Port Moresby's CBD, where office towers and neglect have steadily claimed much of the area. The oldest building still standing is the Ela United Church, opened by the London Missionary Society in 1890.
reviewed
-
McDonald's Corner
On the Kokoda Track road you can drive past McDonald's Corner where there's a small memorial that marks the start of the Kokoda Track. It was here that Australian WWII soldiers disembarked their trucks and began the long muddy march.
reviewed
-
Paga Point
The harbour headland, Paga Point is adjacent to Town. It's worth walking to the top of Paga Hill for the fine views over the town, the harbour and the encircling reefs, but don't go alone.
reviewed
-
Crystal Rapids
There's nothing worth stopping in Sogeri for, but a couple of kilometres beyond along another diabolical dirt road the Crystal Rapids make a pleasant swimming and picnic spot.
reviewed
-
St Mary's Catholic Cathedral
St Mary's Catholic Cathedral has an impressive entrance portal in the style of a Sepik haus tambaran(spirit house).
reviewed
-
Koki Market
The picturesque stilt village of Koki, at the eastern end of Ela Beach, is worth visiting if you can find a local to take you. The best way to do that is by visiting the neighbouring Koki Market, one of the oldest and, after a vast improvement in security, safest markets in the city. Fresh produce and fish straight off the boat are sold here, but even if you're not shopping for produce, it's a colourful place to watch grassroots-style PNG commerce.
Don't flash around your jewels or expensive cameras if you're alone, but if you go with a local (someone from your hotel, perhaps) then carrying a camera shouldn't be a problem. Always ask before taking someone's picture and yo…
reviewed
