Must-see attractions in Papua New Guinea

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    Port Moresby Nature Park

    Port Moresby

    At the northern end of Waigani Dr, by the University of Papua New Guinea, this is an island of calm. More than 2km of walkways thread under and through…

  • National Museum & Art Gallery

    Port Moresby

    This superb museum, beautifully remodelled for the country's 40th anniversary of independence, is the best introduction you can get to Papua New Guinea's…

  • Varirata National Park

    Port Moresby

    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…

  • Asaro Mudmen

    The Highlands

    Asaro village, northwest of Goroka, is famous for its mudmen – warriors who traditionally covered themselves in grey mud and wore huge mud masks before…

  • Yuo Island

    The Sepik

    This small island has delightful picture-perfect beaches under coconut trees, a couple of decent waves if you bring your own surfboard and paddle out to…

  • Haus Tambarans

    The Sepik

    There are numerous villages around Maprik, many with a striking, forward-leaning haus tambaran, an architectural style echoed in such modern buildings as…

  • Parliament Haus

    Port Moresby

    The main Parliament Haus building is in the style of a Maprik- or Sepik-style haus tambaran, while the attached, circular cafeteria follows Highland…

  • memorial to Christopher Robinson

    Papua New Guinea

    The main thing to do on Samarai is just wander around soaking up the faded-glory. From the wharf, head toward the hill and, at the northeast corner of the…

  • Rainforest Habitat

    Lae

    Most people come to see a microcosm of PNG’s marvellous flora and fauna, including birds of paradise, cassowaries and tree kangaroos; although the real…

  • Haus Tambaran

    The Sepik

    Korogo has an impressive haus tambaran with a pair of carved eagles at each end of the roof, related to a local myth, as well as colourfully painted…

  • Muschu Island

    The Sepik

    Palm trees, turquoise waters, nearby reefs and a left-hand point break (November to March) make Muschu one of Papua New Guinea’s best-kept secrets. Hidden…

  • Submarine Base

    New Britain

    For a picnic spot, nothing can beat the Submarine Base at Tavui Point. The Japanese used to provision submarines here during the war. There are tunnel and…

  • Tari Basin

    The Highlands

    The Tari Basin and the Tari Gap are world renowned birding spots, and because the altitude ranges from 1700m to 2800m through a variety of habitats there…

  • Sohano Island

    Papua New Guinea

    The most easily accessible of the islands near the southern mouth of the passage is Sohano, a few minutes by boat (K2) from Buka. It was the provincial…

  • Matupit Island

    New Britain

    The 1994 eruption should have destroyed little Matupit Island but the prevailing winds brought Tavurvur’s load over Rabaul and left this connected island…

  • Hagen Market

    The Highlands

    This is one of PNG’s biggest and most varied markets and a great place to buy bilums and Highland hats. There’s also a vast range of fresh produce on sale…

  • JK McCarthy Museum

    The Highlands

    JK McCarthy was one of PNG’s legendary patrol officers and wrote one of the classic books on New Guinea patrolling – Patrol into Yesterday. Among the…

  • Queen Emma's Steps

    New Britain

    From the Historical & Cultural Centre it's a short walk to the site of Queen Emma's house, Gunantambu, now occupied by of the Gazelle International Hotel…

  • Kimbe

    New Britain

    Kimbe is the provincial headquarters and a major centre for palm-oil production. Although it has a seafront, it's a fairly unassuming town with no real…

  • Omarakana

    Papua New Guinea

    Halfway between Losuia and Kaibola, Omarakana is where the island's paramount chief resides. You'll know you're there by the large, intricate, painted yam…

  • New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum

    Rabaul

    Established in 1933, the New Guinea Club was a businessmen’s club with strict guidelines for membership, although that didn't prevent a young Errol Flynn…

  • Kamiali Wildlife Management Area

    Papua New Guinea

    This 69,000-hectare reserve comprises forests, mangroves, sandy beaches, coral reefs, waterfalls, rivers and lakes, and includes the steep David Suzuki…

  • Kalopa Cave

    Papua New Guinea

    At Kaibola village, at the northern tip of Kiriwina, you can swim and snorkel at the picture-postcard beach, though much coral has died recently. About 1½…

  • Mission Point to Cape Boram

    The Sepik

    Near the main wharf lie the rusting remains of MV Busama. Further down at Kreer, on the road to the airport, there’s the wooden hulk of a Taiwanese…

  • Botanical Gardens

    Lae

    The Botanical Gardens offer a pleasant stroll through a patch of rainforest and grassland in the centre of Lae. Butterflies flutter and reptiles scuttle…

  • Unitech

    Lae

    About 8km from the centre of town, Unitech has a number of notable buildings set in landscaped gardens, including Duncanson Hall with its 36 Sepik-style…

  • Kokopo Market

    New Britain

    The buzzing Kokopo market is also well worth a stroll. It’s best on Saturday. Buai (betel nut) and its condiments, daka (mustard stick) and cumbung …

  • Lae War Cemetery

    Lae

    The Lae War Cemetery, just south of the Botanical Gardens, is meticulously maintained by the Australian government. There are 2808 graves here, 2363 of…

  • Cape Wom Memorial Park

    The Sepik

    Fourteen kilometres west of Wewak, this is the site of a wartime airstrip and the war memorial marks the spot where Japanese Lieutenant General Adachi…

  • Bomana War Cemetery

    Port Moresby

    A turnoff near Fourteen Mile takes you to the large and carefully tended Bomana War Cemetery, where 4000 unknown PNG and Australian WWII soldiers are…

  • Hanuabada

    Port Moresby

    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…

  • Bagail Cemetery

    New Ireland Province

    The closest thing Kavieng has to a regular 'sight' is the Bagail Cemetery, where Baron Boluminski was buried. The tough guy's grave is right before you as…

  • Japanese Memorial Peace Park

    The Sepik

    This peace park marks the mass grave of many troops. The soldiers’ bodies were later exhumed and returned to Japan. Here you'll find a memorial and a fish…

  • Vulcanology Observatory

    Rabaul

    A worthwhile site is the Vulcanology Observatory, about 900m off Tunnel Hill Rd, from where you can enjoy million-dollar views over the bay and the…

  • Old Parliament Building

    Port Moresby

    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…

  • Hombrum Bluff Lookout

    Port Moresby

    Some kilometres down the rough Kokoda Track road (barely navigable in a 2WD in the dry season only) is a turn-off left (west) back towards Port Moresby…

  • Main Haus Tambaran

    The Sepik

    The main, two-storey haus tambaran features three garamut drums with pig, crocodile and hornbill carvings. Upstairs is a treasure trove of shell-inlaid…

  • Mt Kis Lookout

    The Highlands

    A motorable track just off Wisdom St climbs to an excellent lookout, Mt Kis, so-called because it’s the lovers’ leap of Goroka. There are two large water…

  • Enga Take Anda Cultural Centre

    The Highlands

    At this large and fascinating cultural centre, art gallery, museum and workshop, you'll find a grand building with informative displays, including…

  • Ohu Butterfly Habitat

    Papua New Guinea

    The Ohu Butterfly Habitat, 15km southwest of Madang, is a community conservation and research project where butterflies, including PNG’s famous birdwing…

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