Manus

New Ireland

Bougainville

East NewBritain

West NewBritain

Milne Bay

TrobiandIslands

Sandaun

Vanimo

Kavieng

Alotau

Wewak

East Sepik

Mandang

WesternHighlands

Morobe

EasternHighlands

Enga

SouthernHighlands

WesternChimbu

Gulf

Northern

Central

Port Moresby

NationalCapital

A host of experiences, ranging from

trekking and diving to bird watching,

surfing and cultural tours can be

found in Papua New Guinea (PNG)

– a destination rich with natural and

adventure-based attractions.

It’s a South Pacific country often

overlooked by New Zealand travellers.

According to key PNG tourism

operators, that’s due to a general

lack of awareness of the destination

and what it has to offer – along with

the slightly higher cost of getting

there, compared to other countries in

the South Pacific.

But there is much to appeal to an

adventurous Kiwi market.

PNG is linguistically the most

complex nation in the world with more

than 800 distinct languages spoken.

The rugged terrain of the mainland

and more than 600 islands offshore

means tribes have developed in

geographic isolation also ensuring

original cultures have been preserved.

So, clients travelling to PNG can

have a range of cultural experiences,

particularly if they travel to the

Highlands.

For trekking enthusiasts there are

many treks to choose from including

the Kokoda Track, probably PNG’s

best-known attraction.

Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) CEO

Rod Hillman said the Kokoda Track

is the most important land-based

attraction in PNG.

He said it has traditionally been

Australians visiting PNG to trek to test

themselves and to acknowledge the

sacrifice their soldiers made there

during World War Two when the

Australians fought the Japanese.

“As a trekker going through a place

of enormous significance – it’s a

living, breathing, cultural experience.

“The Kokoda Track was there as

a way for people to travel when the

Japanese were here during the war

– it was the last line of defence. It is

incredibly important to the Aussie

psyche.”

The KTA has made many safety

improvements to the track, providing

first-aid training to all the porters

and guides and there are also new

licence requirements – meaning all

operators must be licensed.

“It reassures trekkers there is a

guaranteed minimum standard.”

There have been more base-station

radios installed in each of the villages

along the way. Hillman said they

are starting to see a few more Kiwis

travel to PNG to take on the track.

There has also been a major

discovery on the track this year – the

Lost Battlefields. It is a battlefield on

the Kokoda Track that no one has

been to since 1942.

“There are artifacts of war lying

everywhere – it is believed to be

the only pristine war site left in the

world,” Hillman said.

Currently work is being done with

the local community to see how to

get trekkers in there.

“For the majority of people who

come to do the trek they come for

the pilgrimage and leave with an

understanding of the culture, it’s an

empowering experience.”

Hillman said agents can promote

the Kokoda Track to clients by

showing them it is an opportunity

to undertake a top ten trekking

experience in the world.

“And never underestimate the benefit

you bring to the lives of the people who

live there.

“There have been close to 4000

trekkers this year. And it’s hugely

important to the local economy.”

PNG Trekking Adventures’ Pam

Christy said the Kiwi market is quite

hard to tap into – especially since

New Zealand has its own adventure

activities and it is quite expensive to

get to PNG.

She said combining diving, culture

and trekking is an attractive option,

creating a package so people get a

good overview of everything in PNG.

“The landscape is so raw, there is

nowhere else in the world like it.”

Christy said some of the areas

on the treks are still very isolated.

For example, on a trek recently, an

Australian man went through a village

where the locals had never seen

European people.

“It’s a humbling experience and

the culture is so vibrant, especially

the Highlands traditional dress. There

is nothing like it in the South Pacific.”

Christy, a Kiwi herself, said

awareness of the Kokoda Track needs

to be raised among the trade here

because Kiwis just don’t know about it.

She said the treks are not cheap to

do, simply because of the logistics,

but are well worth it.

“People travelling to PNG tend to

be in their early 40s to 60s – clients

with more disposable income.”

And while it is expensive to get to

PNG and to fly domestically around the

country, the on-ground costs are cheap.

“It is an amazing country; it is one

of the last unexplored countries in

the world. It is very untouched.”

PNG Trekking Adventures is not

working with anyone in New Zealand

at the moment, but agents can

contact the company direct to book

its tours and earn commission.

PNG is also widely recognised as

having some of the best scuba diving

in the world and visitors can dive all

year-round in PNG.

Diving Association PNG’s Max

Benjamin and owner of Walindi

Plantation Resort said PNG is located

right in the middle of what is known

as the coral triangle, which has the

highest diversity of tropical marine life.

“That means PNG just about has

it all in terms of marine life and that’s

what makes diving in PNG so special.

“People come to PNG for the diving

and then travel around and do side trips

to the Highlands for cultural tours.”

Benjamin said agents can push

PNG’s world-class dive resorts to clients

and contact Dive Fish Snow to book.

The secret of the South Pacific

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SurfingBird Watching Cruising Diving TrekkingFishing Kite SurfingKEY:

Managing Editor Gordon Gillan

Journalist Chloe de Ridder

Graphic Design Amber Renée Hobbs

Published by

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Managing EditorGraham Hawkes

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Production SupervisorOsmyn Morgan

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Credit ControlGladys Hooker

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Front cover image credit: Kirklandphotos.com

SUNSET AT TUFI

2 www.papuanewguinea.travel

1. DISCOVER PNG’S CULTURE

With more than 750 cultural groups and more than 850

languages there are plenty of colourful tribes for clients

to meet – they could attend the Mt Hagen festival or

Mask Festival and join in a ‘sing sing’ with the locals.

2. GO TREKKING

Besides the famous Kokoda Track, PNG offers plenty

of other tracks which require different levels of fitness.

There is the Lark Force Track on East New Britain

which offers just as much World War Two history,

but is less demanding. Or, if clients are up for the

challenge, the Black Cat Track is said to require half-

marathon fitness level.

3. EXPLORE UNDERWATER

Diving in PNG offers 50 to 150 feet visibility to explore

untouched coral reefs and marine life including reef

sharks, pelagic fish, hammerheads, barracuda, manta

rays as well as World War Two wrecks (tanks, downed

US bombers and Japanese Zeros) all in 28 degree

Celsius waters.

4. SURFING UNCROWDED BREAKS

To ensure the sustainable development of surf tourism

in PNG, there is a management plan in place allowing

only a maximum of 20 surfers per surf break at any

one time. So, surfers are more than likely to have a

wave to themselves.

5. BIRD WATCHING

There are more than 600 different species of birds

including 38 species of the 43 Birds of Paradise in PNG,

making it a must-do for the fanatic bird watcher. Both on

the mainland as well as on the PNG islands species can

be found unique to that particular area.

6. MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

The view across to the coast from the summit

of Mt Wilhelm is well worth the climb. PNG’s

highest mountain is 4509m and is part of

the Bismarck Range. The ascent is relatively

easy. The track goes through remote areas

and offers a great insight into the true PNG

culture.

7. CATCH A BLACK BASS

Clients can fish in pristine waters and try to

catch the famous black bass and barramundi,

found in just about any of PNG’s coastal

areas. The scenery makes PNG one of world’s

best fishing destinations.

8. KAYAKING

There are plenty of options for all experience

levels; clients can paddle from New Ireland

along a chain of remote exotic islands, to New

Hanover. There, they can visit the people living

on these islands. Kayaking in PNG offers many

cultural experiences, including village stays.

9. EXPEDITION CRUISING

Clients can discover PNG’s remote areas and

culture by cruising.

10. KITE SURFING

With consistent 18-25 knot winds in some

parts and kilometres of untouched reef breaks,

kite surfing in PNG is a must. There are wave

riders and blue lagoons for the flat water

specialists. The prime breaks and the warm

water combined with the Larubada trade wind

mean kite surfing conditions are ideal.

PNG’s top 10 appeals

Papua New Guinea is a bird watchers’

paradise with many locations

throughout the country where clients

can see different species of birds,

including the varieties of the famous

Birds of Paradise – which are found

only in PNG.

Trans Niugini Tours run bird

watching tours in PNG. Located

in the Tonda Wildlife Management

Area, Bensbach Wildlife Lodge is

near the border with West Papua – in

the remote and sparsely populated

south-west corner of PNG.

There are flood plains where

wildlife such as deer, wallabies,

monitor lizards, crocodiles,

cassowaries, sea eagles, pygmy

geese and a host of other mammals

and birds can be seen.

The flood plains of the Bensbach

River area are an important area for

migratory birds on their journey from

their northern breeding grounds

to their wintering grounds in the

Southern Hemisphere.

Some of these migratory birds

include the curlew sandpiper and

ruddy turnstone, which breed in

Arctic Siberia and the yellow wagtail,

which breeds in Eurasia.

This is also barramundi country

and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge Caters

for the serious angler as well as those

who just want to drop a line into the

water for fun.

The lodge has eight twin rooms

with comfortable accommodation for

16 guests.

Bensbach Wildlife Lodge is

accessible by charter. Contact Trans

Niugini Tours for a quote.

Birds of paradise

PNG BIRDS

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WATERFALL NEAR MT HAGEN kir

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HULI WIGMAN

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UNDERWATER DIVING IN PNG Fra

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If clients have a day to spend in

Port Moresby, there are a range of

attractions to keep them busy.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS:

Markets: Gordon’s Market, on

Gordon Court Road off the end

of Cameron Road, is one of the

largest in the country and always

bustling. There is a great range of

fresh fruit and vegetables, while

fish and exotic meats are also

available. For the best seafood,

advise clients visit Koki market

on the waterfront near the Koki

shops. The Koki Market is the

main seafood market and is a hive

of activity on Saturdays.

Parliament House: Built in the

style of a Maprik Haus Tambaran

(house of spirits), the building

was opened in 1984. Parliament

House is an interesting place for

clients to visit whether parliament

is sitting or not. A small shop

in the building has books and

displays of Papua New Guinea’s

butterflies. Open 0900 to 1200

and 1300 to 1500.

National Botanical Gardens: The

National Botanical Gardens has

two km of boardwalk threading

beneath a jungle canopy, green

lawns, wildlife displays and a huge

collection of orchids. A shade-

house in the shape of the country

has plants from all regions. The

gardens are located just beyond

the University of Papua New

Guinea on Waigani Drive. An

entrance fee is applicable.

City and harbour views: For

views of Port Moresby and the

surrounding harbour, clients

should head to Paga Hill, behind

the Crowne Plaza or Touaguba Hill

above the harbour. A tour of the

city should include these lookout

points as well as the stilt villages

of Hanuabada Poreporena.

Bomana War Cemetery: Thousands

of young Australian and Papua

New Guinean soldiers are buried

in this carefully tended World

War Two cemetery, which is a

reminder of the campaigns in the

region. The cemetery is located

on the Sogeri Road not far from

the Sir Hubert Murray Highway.

Hiri Moale Festival: Celebrating

the traditional trading that took

place along the coast, the Hiri

Moale Festival is celebrated mid-

September, around Independence

Day. The festival involves replicas

of the lakatois (giant canoes),

singing and dancing.

National Museum and Art Gallery:

Located on Independence Hill,

close to Parliament House, the

National Museum and Art Gallery

has displays of fauna, culture,

geography, ethnography and

history of Papua New Guinea

which include examples of masks

and shields, shells and local

foods. A small courtyard in front

of the museum is a place for

visitors to sit, while taking in the

local wildlife. The small bookshop

has a limited range of books on

pre-history and culture. Open

Monday to Friday 0830 to 1530

and 1300 to 1700 on Sundays.

Admission is by donation.

Access and entry fees: Most land,

beaches, lagoons, bays and

islands in Papua New Guinea,

are owned by a village, family

or individual. Clients must ask

permission for access and a small

entry fee may be payable.

24 hours in Port Moresby

HIRI MOALE QUEEN AT PORT MORESBY

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Papua New Guinea is quite new as a destination for

surf enthusiasts, but the breaks are becoming known

for providing a great challenge and being free from too

many other surfers.

On the southern side of PNG, 10 minutes out of Port

Moresby, is Sero Board Riders Club (Taurama Point)

where the main barrier reef stretches along the southern

seaboard all the way to the Milne Bay Province.

The Surfing Association PNG’s development of

surf tourism has also resulted in an unprecedented

approach to the creation of an equitable and

sustainable surf tourism model.

Surf in PNG is subject to the wet/dry season cycle.

Southeast trade winds dominate from November and

waves range from three to six-feet during this time,

with the best waves in the early morning. Hula Beach,

100km to the east of Port Moresby, is a great spot.

Other surfing spots in PNG are around the Milne Bay

area, Bougainville Island and the Gazelle Peninsula in

East New Britain, which has waves ranging from three

to six-feet along the coral atolls, including point and

beach breaks.

The Northern side of PNG also has good surfing

locations, with waves on the mainland and offshore

islands generated by the monsoon swell peaking from

mid-November through to late April.

There are consistent waves in Vanimo which range

from beach breaks, point and island reef breaks.

Accommodation and transport is available from Vanimo

Beach Hotel, Sandaun Motel and Vanimo Surf Club

located at Vanimo’s premier surf location at Lido village.

Around Kavieng in New Ireland Province are

numerous reef setups which provide varying surf

breaks. Just off Kavieng town is the environmentally

low-impact Nusa Island Retreat, which provides

accommodation, meals and boat transport to the

surrounding islands. Nusa Island Retreat limits the

number of surfers staying at any one time and is often

fully-booked during the surf season.

There are a variety of surf tour operators for bookings

to surf destinations in PNG. For more information, see:

http://www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg.

Surf the uncrowded waves

WAVE BREAKING ON A PNG ATOLL

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FRESH WATER TROUT

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COLOURS AND FESTIVITIES

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea’s capital and

the main entry point, is a place of contrasts.

During the winter months the National Capital

District is dry, dusty and brown, while summer

is wet, humid and overgrown.

The annual Hiri Moale festival held every

September celebrates one of the trading

voyages between central province villagers

and the people in the Gulf of Papua New

Guinea. The event is a three-day festival of

traditional dance, singing and drama.

During the festivities, Port Moresby’s Ela

Beach is lined with stilt houses, canoes

and swaying dancers decorated with leis of

frangipani and hibiscus.

Equally colourful is the display of native

orchids found at the National Botanical

Gardens. The collection of more than three

thousand orchid species, distinct to Papua

New Guinea, is the largest in the Southern

Hemisphere. The orchids flower all year round,

with peak flowering season for most being

between December and March.

4 www.papuanewguinea.travel

Papua New Guinea has long been a popular

destination for trekking, mountain climbing and

bushwalking and is home to the world-famous

Kokoda Track.

It has largely unspoilt mountains, rivers and

forest, as well as many significant War relic sites.

There’s something for every level of fitness, from

professional tour operators and overnight treks,

through to scenic bush walks that take a few hours.

The Highlands region is famous for its tall

mountains, with readily accessible peaks. Mt

Wilhelm at 4509m is the most popular target for

PNG mountain climbers with good road access to

Kegsugl village from Kundiawa and National Park

huts for climbers to stay in.

While being accessible, Mt Wilhelm is not easy and

guides should always be taken to assist climbers.

From the central Highlands city of Mt Hagen,

the peaks of Mt Giluwe and Mt Lalibu (both

volcanic plugs) are accessible for trekkers. Mt

Hagen, Mt Ongo, Mt Kubor and Mt Kine Kaino

Ku are also all accessible tracks and both the

Bismarck and Kubor Ranges offer great trekking.

Goroka is also a centre for several good climbs with

Mt Michael and Mt Gahavisuka being accessible.

If clients are after a serious trekking experience,

they can take the route from the highlands town

of Kompiam in Enga province to the Yuat River in

East Sepik province. From here, canoes will take

them to Angoram.

This 15-day hard trek is only for the most

experienced, fit trekkers and several tour

companies are available to assist trekkers during

their expedition.

It is recommended to trek with a guide on all

the treks in PNG.

The Kokoda Track is 96km of bush track that crosses

one of the most rugged mountainous terrains in the

world, passing through 19 villages from Kokoda to

Owers Corner, or in the reverse direction.

On average, it takes between six to 10 days to

walk the entire track – depending on the itinerary

chosen and the fitness of the trackers.

The track can be wet and muddy, the climbs steep

and the descents slippery and threatening. It is where

rivers and creeks flood their banks in the wet season

but it could be dry, hot and humid in the dry season.

The Track boasts picturesque campsites, each

located near freshwater creeks in small clearings

of well-kept lawns with rainforest trees that offer

protective covering.

Temperatures drop in the evenings but the mist

and fog in the morning lift slowly as the sun breaks

through the canopy of the jungle.

There are great views of the Owen Stanley Ranges

from the various lookouts.

It was along the entire length of the Kokoda

track that some of the bloodiest and decisive land

battles of the Second World War were fought.

It is not easy to walk the track, nor is it one that

is recommended for the faint-hearted, although in

recent times, a disabled person has completed the

entire track from Kokoda through to Owers Corner

and an 86-year-old man also completed his dream

of doing the Kokoda Track.

For many travellers, it is a dream to make this

personal pilgrimage to re-live the difficult years of

the war.

The Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) manages

the track, including administration of trekking

permits, co-coordinating activities on the track and

distributing funds to communities.

Officially the trekking season starts around May

and ends in mid November.

Trek permits are available from the office of the

KTA, located on the third floor of the Brian Bell

Plaza in Okari Street Boroko in Port Moresby City.

KTA issues both individual and group permits.

2010 permit fees for international trekkers are

K300 per adult and K150 per student/child. Village

guesthouses or campsites cost K20 per night for

a trekker and K5 for guide/porter. Guides/porters’

wages average K80 to K100 per day.

There are VHF/FM radio base stations located

in villages along the track which maintain contact

between villages and the centres in Port Moresby,

Popondetta, Kokoda and Sogeri (including tour

operators). It is recommended that trekkers carry a

satellite phone for emergency use.

Tour operator-guided tracks usually carry hand-

held radios, first aid kits and sometimes satellite

phones. Clients can trek the Kokoda Track either on

their own or with a tour operator. The KTA does not

encourage trekkers to walk without a tour operator,

because of safety concerns. There’s currently no

number restriction system limiting trekkers.

What is the Kokoda Track?

Trekking and climbing

BLACK CAT TRACK

(Wau to Salamaua)

The Black Cat Track runs

between Salamaua and Wau

in the Morobe Province.

It is a forgotten World War

Two trail that passes through

difficult and hazardous terrain.

It includes river crossings,

swamps, cliffs, trees that are

fallen, moss-covered rocks

and treacherous ledges. This

makes the Black Cat one of the

toughest tracks in PNG – and

in the world.

MT WILHELM

4509m above sea level

The Mount Wilhelm climb

is able to be undertaken by

fit bushwalkers and takes

climbers to the summit

of the highest mountain

in PNG, with great views

both north and south. The

track is a simple footpath

through the forest floor, with

log steps and other simple

construction in some places

and is often undertaken over

two days.

LARK FORCE WILDERNESS TRACK

(Bainings area to Open Bay)

The Lark Force Wilderness Track

is an adventure experience that

covers trekking through the mountain

ranges of Baining in East New Britain

Province. The trek experience was

named in honour of the Australian

millitary garrison who were left to

escape a superior Japanese army

during their occupation of Rabaul

in January 1942. This trek leads

clients down a path that gives them

appreciation for the Baining culture

that exists along the track.

TREKS

THE SUMMIT OF MT WILHELM

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CAMP SITE – KOKODA TRACK

EIORA CREEK – KOKODA TRACK

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KOKODA TRACK FROM THE AIR

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The people of Papua New Guinea are mostly

descendants of the Papuans – Melanesians closely

related to the islanders of Fiji, New Caledonia and

Vanuatu. Today there are 5,130,560, people living

in PNG – more than a third of them in the rugged

Highlands.

PNG’s culture is extremely diverse and within each

region visitors will experience a variety of ancient

traditions.

The traditional Melanesian cultures – more

than 200 have been identified – are kept alive in

rituals that accompany deaths, feasts, marriages,

compensation ceremonies and initiation rites.

Visitors to country areas, especially the Highlands,

will often find local variations in village construction,

dialect and dress.

Cultural heritage is celebrated at the annual Sing

Sing shows, where villagers from around the country

demonstrate their singing, dancing and elaborate

bilas (traditional costumes).

The shows at Goroka and Mount Hagen are among

the country’s most impressive, attracting thousands

of spectators to PNG each year.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS PROVINCE

Traditional cultures thrive here, particularly in the Tari

Basin, where the Huli and Duna Wigmen are famous

for their elaborately decorated wigs and body art.

These warriors have a reverence for birds, imitating

them in ceremonial dances and decorating their wigs

with feathers, flowers and cuscus fur. Their faces

are painted with yellow and ochre and the women,

by contrast, wear black for their wedding and coat

themselves with blue-grey clay when mourning. Clans

in the Southern Highlands have a strong and intricate

social system little affected by change. It is one of

the few places where the traditional way of life can

be seen in everyday living. Visitors to the Southern

Highlands can stay in a variety of accommodation

from basic guesthouses to luxurious mountain

lodges.

WESTERN HIGHLANDS PROVINCE

The capital city, Mt Hagen, is a busy commercial

centre where wealth from coffee and tea plantations

has brought rapid change to traditional lifestyle. Old

and new ways live together, not always harmoniously.

Mt Hagen has a reputation as the wild frontier of the

Highlands.

The Saturday market in Mt Hagen is a focal point

of local life and provides a meeting place for traders

from all over the province. The men traditionally wear

a long beard and the women wear brilliant scarves

and carry brightly coloured string bags – used

to carry everything from babies to firewood. Sing

Sings are held regularly throughout the province.

The most popular time to visit is the third weekend

in August, when the annual Mount Hagen Show

is held. Hundreds of different Highland tribes are

represented, each wearing their distinctive tribal head

dresses of feathers and flowers and body paint.

Air Niugini provides flights to Kagamuga Airport

from Port Moresby. They also provide connections to

Mt Hagen from other centres in PNG.

EASTERN HIGHLANDS PROVINCE

With a history of gold mines and coffee plantations,

the Eastern Highlands Province has had more

exposure to European influence than any of the

other Highlands provinces. The province has a

history full of colourful characters, including miners,

missionaries, patrol officers and plantation owners.

Traditional dress is seldom worn these days, although

the Highlanders still live in villages of clusters of low-

walled, round huts built amongst the rolling kunai-

grass covered hills.

Goroka, a small outpost station in the 1950s, has

developed into a well-organised town with modern

facilities. It is a major Highlands commercial centre of

25,000 people. It has become known for its annual

show, held every September – an opportunity for

clients to gain an overview of PNG’s cultural diversity.

There are also yearly festivals held in the province

– the PNG Coffee Festival and Trade Fair which

started in 2001 is held every May, while each year

on Independence Day in mid-September, thousands

of painted and traditionally-costumed tribes people

come together for a huge Sing Sing.

Home is the Highlands

Papua New Guinea is teeming with isolated

fishing grounds and untouched rivers

offering anglers a variety of world-class

fishing.

In dense jungle rivers, the mighty ‘lure-

shy’ Papua New Guinea black bass will

challenge any angler. Another is the river

tiger, found nowhere else in the world.

Or, if clients are after a less challenging

fishing adventure, they could try out the

Barramundi and one option is a stay at the

remote Bensbach Lodge, near the border

of Irian Jaya.

With river fishing, clients have the

opportunity to meet the locals and relax on

the river.

Or, for those who prefer the ocean,

PNG’s Bismarck and the Archipelago Seas

are littered with challenging catches such

as dogtooth tuna, sailfish, yellow fin tuna,

marlin and plenty more.

The coastal waters around the Madang,

East and West New Britain and New

Ireland areas abound in blue and black

marlin, sailfish and dogtooth tuna. In the

waterways near Kandrian, freshwater

fisherman can take on the famous Papuan

black and spot tail bass found only in PNG,

as well as saratogo and ox eye herring.

M.V. Talio is operated out of Madang by

owner and skipper Brett Middleton and

has state-of-the-art equipment, from 8kg

to 60kg tackle and electronics including

radar, GPS and a top of the range sounder.

It has a maximum speed of 29 knots.

Clients can combine a Talio Madang

adventure with a trip to Arrjim Island Bass

Fishing Camp, on the remote south coast

of West New Britain. This area is known for

its black and spottail bass.

There are a range of specialist fishing

itineraries available, contact your preferred

wholesaler for more details.

Dropping a line

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HIGHLAND HEADDRESS AMBUA LODGE, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

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TUFI BOY WITH HIS FISHING CATCH

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DIVING IN THE RABAUL HABOUR Fra

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Papua New Guinea is located in the middle

of what is known as the coral triangle,

meaning a high diversity of tropical

fish, and making it one of the best dive

destinations of the world.

The coast of PNG is dubbed as the

‘underwater photographer’s paradise’, with

many international award-winning photos

being taken in PNG waters.

All dive operators offer dive instruction,

scuba gear hire and a range of other

services. Clients can dive year-round, the

optimal season generally being from mid-

April to mid-June and mid-September to

mid-December. Water temperatures range

from 26°C along the edge of the Coral Sea

and up to 31°C in the Bismarck Sea, with

visibility from 50 to 150 feet.

Clients can see everything from pygmy

seahorses, dense red sea whips, ridges

crammed with soft and hard corals,

invertebrates, garden eels and plenty of fish

– large pelagics, clownfish, tropical reef fish,

turtles, schools of barracuda and a few grey

whalers patrolling the reefs.

For clients’ added safety there is a

recompression chamber in Port Moresby.

REEF PROTECTIONWhile the reefs teem with life in many shapes

and colours, they are very fragile.

Most dive operators promote the use of

moorings on regularly dived sites. Divers are

encouraged to practise sensible diving and

respect the underwater environment – and

the message to all divers is to look and enjoy

the reefs, but don’t touch.

DIVE MADANG Clients can dive in Madang with a package

from Dive Fish Snow. For $2325 pp twin

share, ex- Auckland, the package includes

return airfares ex Auckland, seven nights’ twin

share accommodation, a six-day dive package

and return airport transfers. Taxes are not

included, which cost approximately $272.

PNG’S BEST DIVE SPOTS:Milne Bay is located on the eastern end of

PNG. Divers head there for the wreckage

left behind from the war. The best way to

enjoy Milne Bay diving is aboard one of the

live-aboard dive boats based out of Alotau,

the provincial headquarters. The 60 foot MV

Chertan can comfortably accommodate up to

14 divers.

Port Moresby is known for having some of

the best capital city diving in the world. Susie’s

Bommie is famous for its schooling golden

sweetlips and batfish among the colourful

tropical fish and coral. At 12-30m this

bommie is situated on white sand. Located

90m south-west of Port Moresby in the Coral

Sea is Eastern Fields, a submerged atoll rising

over 1200m and covering some 400sq miles.

Tufi is an ancient volcanic area and offers a

variety of diving experiences from the fjords

to war wrecks. Black Rocks are a series

of circular reefs offering all levels of diving.

Constant visibility of 30m plus and water

temperatures of 26°C to 29°C all year round.

West Madang is one of the oldest areas for

diving in PNG and the most popular. It has

great reef and wreck diving. Diving along the

coast is famous for its coral gardens and good

visibility. Madang was the centre of heavy

fighting during World War II and there are 34

sunken ships to explore at Hansa Bay, near

Bogia. The town has modern urban facilities,

including hotels, department stores, markets

and artefact shops.

Kavieng – Albatross Passage. At an

incoming tide this narrow passage has

eagle rays, mobula rays, big dogtooth tunas,

barracudas, plenty of grey reef sharks and

loads of other fish can be seen here on almost

every dive. Planet Channel is one of the best

dives in Kavieng – pelagic fish including

barracudas, jacks, eagle rays and sharks, soft

corals, gorgonian fans plus a selection of small

critters.

Rabaual is one of the oldest areas for diving

and has good reef and critter diving. Lots

of wrecks are there, as it was a Japanese

submarine haven in World War Two.

Submarine Base is a site with a vertical wall

plunging 300m into waters where clients

will see a myriad of schools of tropical fish,

pelagics, sharks and dugongs, nudibranches,

shrimps, eels and many hued corals. Bi Plane

Peter is a Mitsubishi World War Two Japanese

spotter aircraft which stands upright in 27m

of water and is in excellent condition. Clients

can see colourful corals above with a wealth of

marine life including moray eels, featherstars

and puffer fish.

Kimbe Bay – an area most famous for its

pristine reef. More than half the world’s

species of coral can be found in Kimbe Bay.

Pristine and colourful corals are home to a

variety of fish, crustacean and invertebrate

life. Many of the reefs have resident schools

of barracuda, tuna and jacks. A range of

shark species are regularly sighted, including

hammerheads and silvertips, particularly on

the offshore reefs. A short boat ride from shore

is Susan’s Reef, the perfect coral garden.

Fathers Reefs are a series of off shore reefs

which are the sunken remains of a huge

extinct volcanic caldera. There are two dive

boats based in Kimbe Bay that go out to the

islands – and which also get based in Rabaul.

Experience world-class diving

DIVING IN PNG

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GETTING THERE

Papua New Guinea has one

international airport in Port Moresby,

Jackson’s International Airport.

Air Niugini (PX) operates from both

Brisbane and Cairns to Port Moresby

and also from Nadi to POM. BNE is

12 times a week using a combination

of B767 and F100 aircraft, while CNS

is 10 times a week using either F100

or DH4 aircraft. NAN-POM is twice-

weekly using F100 aircraft.

PX has a fare with Air New Zealand

over BNE or CNS priced at $2020

return excluding taxes from AKL,WLG

and CHC. PX also has a fare with

Air Pacific via NAN from $1599

return excluding taxes from AKL

only. PX also has wholesale net fares

ex Australia to PNG and these are

available via select wholesalers here.

PX is represented by the Walshe

Group. Qantas also has a codeshare

arrangement with Air Niugini.

The Virgin group also offer one-

stop services using Pacific Blue (DJ)

to BNE and then on to POM. The

B737-800 BNE to POM service is

four times weekly (Mon, Wed, Fri and

Sun) in each direction with same-day

connections available.

VISAS

A 60-day Tourist Visa is available

on arrival in Port Moresby for K100,

approximately $48. To obtain a visa

before entering the country, the cost

is K75, approximately $36. Clients

will need travel documents, sufficient

funds for their stay in the country

and an airline ticket with confirmed

outbound flights before expiry date

of their Visa. Please check with the

Papua New Guinea High Commission

in Wellington.

AIRPORT

Jackson’s International Airport is the

gateway of PNG, situated about 8km

from the main town centre of Port

Moresby. Mt Hagen Provincial Airport

has been declared an International Port

of entry because of the mining activities

around the Highland provinces.

PNG relies on air transport more

than most other countries in the world

due to its rugged terrain, extending

from its coastal areas to its highlands.

PX operates 18 domestic routes

and Airlines of Papua New Guinea

has more than 400 scheduled and

charter flights per week.

CURRENCY

PNG’s unit of currency is the Kina

which is divided into 100 toea. Daily

exchange rates are listed in banks,

newspapers and hotels. Clients can

exchange their money at Jackson’s

Airport or in banks, open from 0900

to 1500 Monday – Thursday and

0900 – 1600 on Fridays.

CREDIT CARDS

Hotels, restaurants, shops, rental

car companies, cruise operators

and travel agents accept most major

credit cards including Amex, Diners,

MasterCard and Visa.

VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT)

All transactions within hotels,

restaurants and bars are subject to

10 per cent tax, which is included in

published prices.

BUSINESS HOURS

Commercial firms: Monday to Friday

– 0800 – 1630 or 1700. Saturday

0800 – 12 noon. Government hours:

Monday to Friday – 0745 – 1600.

EVENTS

Throughout the year there are

festivals and shows being held

around the country. See: http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/packages/cultural-events/ for a festival and

event calendar.

CLIMATE

Ranging from warm, to hot and

humid throughout the year. There

is a rainy season, which varies from

province to province, but in general

it’s driest from May to December.

Advise clients pack sunscreen and

watch out for sunburn, particularly

in the Highlands, even on overcast

days.

DRESS

Informal and casual, however

thongs, sneakers and sandshoes

are not allowed in some bars and

restaurants. In the Highlands, sturdy

walking shoes are recommended,

as well as a sweater or jacket for

cool evenings. Female dress should

always be modest.

TIPPING

Tips are neither expected nor

encouraged.

TRANSPORT

Transportation is mostly by air

across PNG. A good network of

roads connects the northern zone

and the Highlands region. There

are also rental cars, local boats and

ferries, taxis in larger towns, plus

local buses. There is no road link

between the northern zone and the

capital, Port Moresby, because of

the rugged nature of the terrain.

VOLTAGE

Electrical current is 240 volts. The

type of plug that electrical appliances

use in PNG is the same as here.

Some hotels provide 110 volt outlets

in guest rooms for shavers and hair

dryers.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Malaria is the only serious health

risk. Visitors are strongly advised to

consult their local doctor or tropical

disease clinic for anti-malarial

preparations before arrival. Water

quality is within World Health

Organisation standards in most

towns. Bottled water is available. In

rural areas it is advised to boil water

at all times.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Dental, doctors and hospital services

are available in all major centres.

Medical clinics and aid posts are

found in remote areas and several

hospitals are privately owned.

TIME ZONE

PNG is 10 hours ahead of

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

PNG travel toolkit

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OVERLOOKING RABAUL HARBOUR

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