Must see attractions in Papua New Guinea

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…

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…

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

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

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…

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

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 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…

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…

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…

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

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…

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 …

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

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…

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…

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…

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…