Things to do in Papua New Guinea

25 things to do in Papua New Guinea

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Trek the historic Kokoda Track

  Hike the rugged 96-km jungle trail across the Owen Stanley Range, retracing the footsteps of WWII soldiers and experiencing breathtaking mountain scenery.

  Owen Stanley Range, Oro/Central Provinces

• Dive the coral reefs of Kimbe Bay

  Explore one of the world's most biodiverse marine environments, teeming with colorful corals, pelagic fish, and macro critters in the warm waters of West New Britain.

  Kimbe Bay, West New Britain

• Experience the Mount Hagen Cultural Show

  Witness the incredible assembly of over 100 tribal groups showcasing traditional dances, elaborate costumes, and ancient rituals in the highlands.

  Mount Hagen, Western Highlands

• Explore the Tufi fjords by canoe

  Paddle or dive the dramatic flooded fjords of Cape Nelson, surrounded by lush rainforest and pristine coral walls plunging into deep blue water.

  Tufi, Oro Province

• Cruise the mighty Sepik River

  Journey along one of the world's greatest rivers, visiting remote villages renowned for their towering spirit houses, elaborate woodcarvings, and crocodile folklore.

  Sepik River, East Sepik Province

• Visit the volcanic caldera of Rabaul

  Stand on the rim of a massive flooded caldera and watch the active Tavurvur volcano vent steam, while exploring the remains of a town buried by a 1994 eruption.

  Rabaul, East New Britain

• Witness the Baining fire dance

  See the spectacular night-time ceremony of the Baining people, where masked dancers leap through towering flames and spin burning bamboo torches.

  Gaulim, near Rabaul, East New Britain

• Birdwatching in Varirata National Park

  Spot magnificent birds of paradise, bowerbirds, and the elusive Doria's tree-kangaroo on scenic walking trails overlooking Port Moresby.

  Varirata National Park, Central Province

• Stroll through Port Moresby Nature Park

  Get up close with tree-kangaroos, cassowaries, and vibrant parrots in lush tropical gardens, one of the capital's most popular attractions.

  Port Moresby, National Capital District

• Explore the stilt village of Hanuabada

  Walk the wooden boardwalks of this traditional Motuan coastal village, where houses stand on stilts over the sea and canoes are still the main transport.

  Port Moresby, National Capital District

• Pay respects at Bomana War Cemetery

  Reflect at this beautifully maintained Commonwealth cemetery where over 3,800 WWII soldiers rest, set against a backdrop of peaceful tropical gardens.

  Bomana, near Port Moresby

• Surf world-class waves off Kavieng

  Ride uncrowded reef breaks and points in the warm waters of New Ireland, with perfect barrels for experienced surfers amid idyllic island scenery.

  Kavieng, New Ireland Province

• Browse the Tolai shell money market in Rabaul

  Witness the unique tradition of tabu shell money, still used for bride prices and trade, at the bustling local markets run by the Tolai people.

  Rabaul, East New Britain

• Climb Mount Wilhelm, PNG's highest peak

  Trek through alpine grasslands to the 4,509m summit for panoramic sunrise views across both north and south coasts, an unforgettable highland adventure.

  Chimbu Province

• Immerse in Trobriand Island yam culture

  Visit the ‘Islands of Love’ where yam houses are decorated with ancestral carvings, and the annual yam festival showcases intricate exchanges and cricket rituals.

  Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province

• Scuba dive WWII plane wrecks off Kavieng

  Descend onto perfectly preserved Japanese and American aircraft lying on shallow reefs, now encrusted with corals and surrounded by marine life.

  Kavieng, New Ireland Province

• Discover PNG's heritage at the National Museum and Art Gallery

  View masterpieces of Sepik masks, ancestral carvings, war shields, and contemporary art that narrate Papua New Guinea's 800 cultures.

  Port Moresby, National Capital District

• Trek to serene Lake Kutubu

  Hike through rainforest to this highland lake of mythical significance, home to unique fish species and the Foi people who live by its shores.

  Lake Kutubu, Southern Highlands

• Experience the Goroka Show tribal gathering

  Be mesmerized by thousands of warriors in full facial paint, feathered headdresses, and grass skirts performing synchronized chants at this iconic highlands festival.

  Goroka, Eastern Highlands

• Snorkel the Loloata Island reef

  Just a short boat ride from Port Moresby, this fringing reef offers calm, clear waters teeming with clownfish, rays, and sea turtles.

  Loloata Island, Central Province

• Relax on Madang's idyllic lagoons

  Paddleboard or kayak across crystal-clear lagoons dotted with volcanic islets, surrounded by coral gardens and palm-fringed beaches.

  Madang, Madang Province

• Encounter the legendary Asaro Mudmen

  Meet the famous tribesmen who cover themselves in white clay and wear grotesque mud masks to reenact their haunting battle legends.

  Near Goroka, Eastern Highlands

• Fish for giant black bass on the Fly River

  Cast for the ferocious black bass, a bucket-list freshwater sport fish, in the remote and winding waterways of the lush Western Province jungle.

  Fly River near Kiunga, Western Province

• Visit the Huli Wigmen of Tari

  Photograph Huli warriors with their iconic yellow-painted faces and elaborate human-hair wigs adorned with everlasting daisies, a living highland tradition.

  Tari, Hela Province

• Dive the pristine reefs of Milne Bay

  Explore the 'Coral Triangle' diversity at sites like Samarai and the Conflict Islands, where manta rays, sharks, and macro critters thrive.

  Milne Bay Province (near Alotau)