Regions of Papua New Guinea
DISCOVER OUR CITIES, TOWNS, PROVINCES AND UNIQUE ICONIC ATTRACTIONS
Papua New Guinea is like no place you’ve ever been. Wherever you are in the world, it’s easy to get here with a little planning. Choose your one in a million adventure in trekking, diving, surfing and more! Explore our amazing ceremonial ensembles at one of our many cultural festivals held throughout the year. Click on a province or select a region to read more about the incredible places you can visit in Papua New Guinea.
KICK OFF OR WIND UP YOUR JOURNEY IN PORT MORESBY
Embrace the best of both worlds in our capital city where warm, sandy islands and untouched national parks meet a thriving metropolis of small cafes and bars, a diverse food scene and a unique blend of fine art and artefacts.
Highlands Region
Eastern Highlands Province – THE COFFEE PRODUCTION CENTRE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Goroka’s colourful mix of culture, coffee plantations and craft in cool high altitudes means you’ll never want to leave.
Goroka’s attractive, well-organised town is the provincial capital of the Eastern Highlands. It comes alive in September each year to host upwards of 40,000 painted warriors celebrating Papua New Guinea’s Independence Day. Anytime of year is a pleasure to visit. Discover the excellent displays of artefacts, pottery, weapons, war memorabilia and a collection of first contact photos from 1939 at the JK McCarthy Museum.
MUST SEE
Take a guided tour of a coffee plantation and meet the friendly locals in some of the outlying villages.
Encounter the eerie Asaro Mudmen up close who once used sinister mud masks to scare their enemies.
Discover the interesting cave paintings at Lufa where you can also climb Mount Micheal with a guide.
Enga Province – ONE LANGUAGE, ONE PEOPLE
YOU’LL BE IMPRESSED BY PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S HIGHEST PROVINCE FILLED WITH FAST FLOWING RIVERS, SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS, HIGH VALLEYS AND MOUNTAIN PASSES.
Dominated by only one language, many people in Enga do not need to speak English or Tok Pisin, so use a guide to ensure a smooth trip. From the main town of Wabag, visit nearby high-altitude lakes, discover the Laiagam salt ponds, and tackle the short 15-minute hike to the thundering Yuo Falls.
MUST SEE
– Experience the wonder and excitement of the annual Enga Cultural Show.
– Take a stroll through the collection of native orchids and rhododendrons on display at the Laiagam Botanical Gardens.
– Learn all about our Engan customs at the Taekanda Cultural Centre.
– Witness a ‘Tee’ ceremony, a grand and public exchange of gifts between clans or tribes.
Simbu Province – HEART OF THE HIGHLANDS
YOU’LL LEAVE SIMBU FEELING INVINCIBLE AFTER CONQUERING MOUNT WILHELM, PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN (4,509M).
Bordered by Madang to the north and the Gulf to the south, Simbu’s provincial capital, Kundiawa, sits beside a spectacular airstrip, built on a sloping ridge beneath the towering mountains. Cold weather gear is recommended in these occasionally snowy mountaintops. The province is dotted with a number of hospitable guesthouses that will accommodate your every trekking and touring request.
MUST SEE
– Spend a day (or overnight) at Betty’s Lodge, a trout and rabbit farm at the base of Mount Wilhelm.
– Discover rock paintings and the Keu Caves at the Nambaiyufa Amphitheatre close to Chuave.
– Take a panorama of the Madang coast (104km away) on a clear day from the very top of the country, Mount Wilhelm.
Southern Highlands Province – THE PAPUAN WONDERLAND
LUSH, HIGH VALLEYS SANDWICHED BETWEEN TOWERING LIMESTONE PEAKS.
In Mendi and Ialibu you’ll get a strong feeling for the intricate social systems that define the Southern Highlands. This is one of the few remaining places where the traditional way of life can be seen in everyday living, making it an adventure seeker’s dream. Summit the country’s second-highest mountain, Mount Giluwe (4,368m), explore the tracks around Mount Ialibu (3,465m), or simply enjoy the peaceful scenery at Lake Kutubu.
MUST SEE
– Organise a guided tour from Lakwanda to visit skeleton caves, mountain trails, the region’s endemic orchids, bird watching sites, and cultural activities.
– Feel the mist rising off the spectacular 100m plummet of the Wasi Falls at the Wildlife Management Area.
– Pick up an Imbonggu basket from the Mendi Market, best visited on Fridays and Saturdays when the full force of vendors come to town.
Western Highlands Province – OLD AND NEW WAYS LIVING CURIOUSLY TOGETHER
UNLEASH YOUR INNER POET WHEN YOU SEE THE SHROUDED MISTY PEAKS OF WESTERN HIGHLANDS PROVINCE.
The capital city, Mt Hagen, is a bustling commercial centre where wealth from coffee and tea plantations has brought rapid change to traditional lifestyle. If you want to visit the last frontier of Papua New Guinea this is it. Taste the sweetest strawberries at Rondon Ridge, attend one of the regular cultural festivals held throughout the province and don’t miss the kaleidoscope of colours on view at the Saturday markets.
MUST SEE
– Pop into the Western Highlands Cultural Centre featuring a reconstructed village hut and exhibits of artefacts and curios.
– Gain permission to visit the archaeological sites at Kuk Valley, the first place on earth to cultivate land for gardening.
– Catch a glimpse of the richness of traditional Highland’s social structure and ceremonial dress at the Mt Hagen Show held in August each year.
Hela Province – SCENIC MOUNTAINS, AUTHENTIC CULTURE
TREK THROUGH SCENIC MOUNTAINSCAPES, MEET PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S CULTURAL ICONS, AND CHECK OFF ANOTHER BIRDWATCHING DESTINATION ON YOUR TRIP TO HELA.
Hela province is one of Papua New Guinea’s newest provinces, formed from three Southern Highlands districts in 2012. From the capital of Tari you’ll be delighted by our unspoilt environment and vibrant Hela customs. Home to the iconic Huli Wigmen, this is the place to learn about our striking body decoration and hear the melodies of our flute-like panpipes and bamboo Jew’s-harps.
MUST SEE
– Take a selfie for Instagram with a Huli Wigman.
– Raft down the white-waters of the Tagari River.
– Watch the rarest of birds in their natural habitat from Ambua Lodge.
Islands Region
Autonomous Region of Bougainville – THE JEWEL OF THE SOUTH SEAS
CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS, BUSY OCEAN PASSAGEWAYS, HEAVY JUNGLE AND A RECENT CONFLICT DEFINE THIS IDYLLIC ISLAND PROVINCE TO THE NORTH-EAST OF PORT MORESBY.
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville has been known for its picture-perfect beaches and bays since French explorers spread stories of its beauty almost 200 years ago. Choose from 60 lakes to visit, or brave the sinkholes, caves and volcanoes to make for an unforgettable journey. Look into the Reed Festival, Canoe Festival, and Chocolate Festival for complete cultural immersion.
MUST SEE
– Shop til you drop at the Saturday markets, where the perfectly crafted Buin baskets and Buka baskets will delight you.
– Sight-see the still-standing colonial-period buildings with manicured lawns and gardens at Sohano.
– Attempt to identify the 98 non-marine resident bird species in the region.
East New Britain Province – HOME OF TAVURVUR AND VULCAN
A FASCINATING WORLD WAR II HISTORY COUPLED WITH THE EVER-PRESENT THREAT OF TWO ACTIVE, GRUMBLING VOLCANOS MAKE EAST NEW BRITAIN A FAVOURITE DESTINATION.
Be sure to enlist a guide to help you discover all the hidden charms of the Gazelle Peninsular. Take a tour of the war relics, barge tunnels and caverns on the road from Kokopo to Rabaul. Or visit the Duke of York Islands, 45 minutes from Kokopo by boat, where you can scuba dive, snorkel and picnic under the coconut trees overlooking aquamarine waters.
MUST SEE
– Take a stroll through the Kokopo markets to see what’s in season and taste some local fare.
– Get up close and personal with an active volcano (Tavurvur) on the edge of Simpson Harbour.
– Observe the mesmerising dance rituals of the Baining Fire Dancers in the mountain forests.
Manus Province – RICH BIODIVERSITY IN OUR SMALLEST PROVINCE
VISIT THE TINY VOLCANIC ISLANDS WHERE WAR HISTORY, RICH CULTURE, AND NEW TOURISM FIGHT FOR A SPOT IN THE LIMELIGHT.
The Admiralty Islands and a scattering of low-lying, mostly uninhabited atolls, form the province of Manus, whose northern border touches the equator. Plan well for your Manusian adventure, as tourists are a rare sight here. You can spend a morning browsing the market in the main hub of Lorengau before negotiating your afternoon activities with a local guide.
MUST SEE
– Get swept up in the rhythms of the spectacular and unique traditional Garamut-led Manus dance.
– Try our famous fresh fish and seafood including reef fish, tuna, mackerel, crab and lobster at the restaurant at Harbourside, or on request at your guesthouse.
– Explore the small island of Tuluman that came into existence in the 1950s thanks to an undersea eruption and rapidly cooled lava.
New Ireland Province – UNDENIABLE BEAUTY, PEACEFUL PEOPLE
NEW IRELAND’S NEVER-ENDING BEACHES, POPULAR CULTURAL FESTIVALS, SMATTERING OF ISLANDS AND UNCROWDED REEFS AND WAVES MAKE IT A DREAM DESTINATION IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
If you’re looking to do some diving, surfing or blue water game fishing, New Ireland will keep you very busy. Hire a canoe from the beachfront in Kavieng and spend a leisurely day exploring the islands. For local culture, don’t miss the breathtaking Malagan Mask Festival in June each year or the special shark calling rituals famous to the islands.
MUST SEE
– Cycle the length of the main island from Kavieng to Namatanai on the suitably flat Bulominski Highway.
– Feast like an island chief at the Kavieng Hotel’s Friday night seafood buffet.
– Explore Fissoa and other inland waterholes along the Bulominski Highway.
West New Britain Province – A VIRTUALLY UNEXPLORED DESTINATION
OUR DIVING AND VOLCANIC ACTIVITIES WILL PULL YOU BACK TO WEST NEW BRITAIN AGAIN AND AGAIN.
Kimbe Bay in West New Britain is fringed by a number of active volcanic mountains. Dive magnificent volcanic caves draped in staghorn coral and reef drop-offs from the dive centre at Walindi Plantation Resort. If you’re keen to keep your head above water, the fishing, trekking, and hot springs are excellent diversions in this area, meaning non-divers can also enjoy the superb natural surroundings.
Must see
– Explore the deepest recorded cave system in the southern hemisphere at Muruk in the Nakanai area.
– Try the famous Numundo Beef farmed locally and exported to the world.
– Visit the Talasea District in an active volcanic region.
Momase Region
East Sepik Province – HOME OF THE MIGHTY SEPIK RIVER
EXPLORE A WONDERLAND OF ISLANDS, COASTLINES, RIVER SYSTEMS AND MOUNTAIN RANGES THAT DEFINE THE PROVINCE.
Immerse yourself in the timeless history of the Sepik people and our exotic folklore of this fascinating area. Enjoy Wewak’s palm-fringed beaches and dreamy sunsets. Feast on the giant river prawns available at Talio Lodge or the crocodile curry from the Boutique Hotel. Take a boat to Kairuru Island and enjoy the waterfalls snorkelling and natural hot springs. Top off your stay in East Sepik with a day trip or overnight expedition on the mighty Sepik River where you will see a strong influence of the crocodile in everyday life.
MUST SEE
– Discover the signature Sepik woven baskets, carvings and masks at Taun Market.
– Visit the war memorial at Cape Wom, where the Japanese surrendered in 1945.
– Explore the fascinating architecture behind the spectacular forward-leaning haus tambarans in Maprik.
Madang Province – THE PRETTIEST TOWN IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
THE MADANG PENINSULA IS A SHOW-PLACE OF PARKS, WATERWAYS, LUXURIANT SHADE TREES AND SPARKLING TROPICAL ISLANDS.
Grab your towel and hat and head off to Kranket and Siar Islands, two of the most popular spots for swimming in the still blue waters. Every Province in Papua New Guinea claims to be the most excellent location for divers, but Madang boasts offshore volcanic islands and coral gardens with superb visibility. Top off your stay with a visit to the Kalibobo Lighthouse, an iconic Coastwatcher’s memorial.
MUST SEE
– Discover 34 sunken ship dive sites at Hansa Bay, near Bogia.
– Surf the perfect left hand break at Tupira.
– Explore the Kau Rainforest Museum, a showcase of traditional bush knowledge owned by the Didipa Clan.
Morobe Province – PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S INDUSTRIAL CENTRE
FROM ISLANDS TO HIGHLANDS, YOU’LL FIND IN LAE A TRUE MELTING POT OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S CULTURAL DIVERSITY.
You’ll be surprised by Papua New Guinea’s second-largest city, Lae. Enjoy modern conveniences and comfort, right on nature’s doorstep. Explore the markets, war history, water activities, islands, caves, forest habitat, and much more in this coastal city and its surrounds.
MUST SEE
– Fish and dive the reefs around the coastal towns of Finschhafen, Salamaua and the Siassi Islands.
– Soak up the rodeo-style events, motor-cycle stunts, cultural dress pageants, and amusement rides at the Morobe Show each October.
– Spot the elusive New Guinean long-beaked echidna at the Rainforest Habitat in Lae.
West Sepik Province – BEAUTIFUL BEACHES ON A NEAT PENINSULAR
JUST 30KM EAST OF THE INDONESIAN BORDER VANIMO TOWN IS OUR BEST-KEPT SECRET IN SURFING.
If you’re looking for a place near the sea to go off the grid, this is it. The beaches in town are effortlessly superb, and offshore, Narimo Island is a great picnic spot. You can hire a boat for the day from West Deco village near the main wharf. Pack your picnic lunch and plenty water beforehand.
The distinctive artefacts from Sandaun include painted canoes of Sissano Lagoon and large shields from the Telefomin district. The shields have broad zigzag, spiral or V designs that represent their ancestors’ bodies.
MUST SEE
– Visit the border to Irian Jaya taking in the special sights along the way.
– Explore the World War II aircraft wreckage at Aitape, including a B-24 bomber.
– Search for the perfect wave at Lido near Vanimo and the surf beaches around Aitape.
Papua Region
Central Province – WIDE-OPEN SPACES RIGHT ON PORT MORESBY’S DOORSTEP
EXPERIENCE COASTAL VILLAGES, AMAZING BEACHES, AND WORLD-CLASS WRECK AND REEF DIVING A MERE HOP AND SKIP FROM THE CAPITAL CITY.
Central Province envelops our National Capital District making its many attractions and adventures the most accessible in the country. Hear the Birds-of-Paradise chatter in the Varirata National Park canopies, witness the sprawling plains rise into mountain ridges and plateaus, float in crystal-clear rivers off the beaten track, and explore the many beaches and islands with a local guide.
MUST SEE
– snap a panorama of Port Moresby’s coastline from the Sogeri Plateau.
– kite and surf the waves off the beaches at Hula village.
– overnight in an original 19th Century Carmelite convent on Yule Island.
Gulf Province – WHERE FOUR RIVER DELTAS SPILL INTO THE SEA
PACK YOUR SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE AND HEAD WEST OUT OF PORT MORESBY WHERE THE GULF PROVINCE PUTS THE WILD IN WILDERNESS.
The Gulf province, located on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea, is a long way off the beaten track and tourism facilities entail simple guesthouses and village stays. If you’re a keen angler or canoeist you’ll be in your element, and for the land lovers, bushwalking expeditions in the Gulf retrace the journeys of earlier explorers such as a route that follows an early 1900s gold exploration track.
MUST SEE
– Great rivers that flow into the swampy, delta-land of the Papuan Gulf.
– Neolithic longhouses built on piles high above the muddy, ever-changing riverbanks.
– The Bulldog Track connecting to Wau over the western end of the Owen Stanley Range.
Milne Bay Province – HOME TO THE ISLANDS OF LOVE
DIVING, ISLAND HOPPING, BEACHES AND FESTIVALS, DISCOVER WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT IN MILNE BAY.
It’s no surprise that Milne Bay’s main tourist attraction is its diving, thanks largely to its location at the extreme eastern end of Papua New Guinea, and 160 named islands and 500 cays and atolls scattered over 250,000km2 of ocean. The provincial headquarters at Alotau is the base for a number of liveaboard dive boats and small charter boats that can organise popular island hopping itineraries.
MUST SEE
– Fergusson Island’s active thermal region with natural hot springs, bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers and volcanoes.
– Alotau’s Kenu and Kundu Festival and Milamala’s Yam Harvest Festival on the islands of love.
– Dramatic underwater drop-offs and overhangs scattered with WWII wrecks.
Northern (Oro) Province – THE LAND OF BARK CLOTH AND BUTTERFLIES
ORO PROVINCE BOASTS THE WORLD’S LARGEST BUTTERFLY, MAGNIFICENT FJORD-LIKE RIAS, AN ACTIVE VOLCANO AND A WELL-KNOWN WWII BATTLE-SITE.
The history of Oro Province is as dramatic as its landscapes. From the early gold rush days to the devastating Pacific campaign of World War II, followed by the deadly eruption of Mt Lamington not long thereafter, which forced the provincial capital to Popondetta, you’ll be moved by the rich history in this province.
MUST SEE
– Take a royal selfie with Queen Alexandra birdwing, the largest butterfly on the planet.
– Watch the age-old practice of beating the bark of a mulberry tree into soft tapa cloth.
– Dive with the resident hammerhead sharks and moray eels at Tufi.
Western Province – WHERE BIRDS AND ANIMAL LIFE OUTNUMBER PEOPLE
WESTERN PROVINCE IS PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S ANSWER TO THE AFRICAN SAFARI.
Our Western Province is unlike anywhere else in Papua New Guinea. This is the perfect destination for anglers, photographers and lovers of flora and fauna.
Explore our wide-open grasslands home to Rusa deer, wallabies and wild pigs. Spot crocodiles and lizards lingering patiently near riverbanks, and the flocks of wildfowl and ducks that seem to be flying across rivers on loop. This is where you’ll see two of the greatest rivers in the country, the Fly and the Strickland, run for almost their entire length through a single province.
The main town of Western Province on the small island of Daru, just off the coast is really the Wild Wild West. Once a busy pearl and beche-de-mer trading port, Daru is now the centre of a growing fishing industry. You’ll see crocodile skins from the province packed up and exported from here.
MUST SEE
– Visit the Tonda Wildlife Management Area, the largest protected area in the country.
– Decide if the Wawoi Falls in the middle Fly is our largest waterfall.
– Witness the cliff-face of the Hindenburg Wall in all its jaw-dropping proportions.
Port Moresby – URBAN CULTURE, GATEWAY TO PNG
DISCOVER PORT MORESBY, THE SOUTH PACIFIC CITY OF CONTRASTS.
Embrace the best of both worlds in Port Moresby, where sandy islands and untouched national parks meet a thriving metropolis of small cafes and bars, a diverse food scene and a unique blend of fine art and artefacts.
Village and urban life exist in unison here, on Papua New Guinea’s south coast. Spend a day in the sun at nearby Fisherman’s Island, walk beneath the shaded canopies at Port Moresby Nature Park, and travel through time on your tour of the cultural artefacts and fine art housed at the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG). For suppertime in the city, explore Harbour Side’s fine selection of restaurants along the boardwalk overlooking Fairfax Harbour.
MUST SEE
– Discover the ragianna bird-of-paradise at the Port Moresby Nature Park.
– Take a selfie below the dazzling entrance to Parliament House.
– Meet our exceptional artists at one of the city’s weekend markets.
