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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
Publisher/Managing Director Chauncy Stark
Managing EditorGraham Hawkes
Group Sales ManagerLisa Morris
Production SupervisorOsmyn Morgan
Advertising Co-ordinatorSharon Robson
AccountantPam King
Credit ControlGladys Hooker
Trade Publications Ltd308 Great South RoadGreenlane, AucklandNew ZealandPO Box 9596
Newmarket, AucklandPhone +64 9 529 3000Fax +64 9 529 3001Email [email protected] www.tplmedia.co.nzDX No: CP33510
Prepress and PrintGEON
All material published in traveltrade is copyright but may be published provided written consent is obtained from the publisher and that traveltrade is acknowledged as the source. Opinions are the authors’ and do not necessairly represent those of TPL Media.
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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