Is there a backpackers hangout in Port Moresby?

I've resigned myself to the fact that accommodation won't be cheap in PNG. But is there anywhere that independent travellers/ backpackers can go to meet like-minded souls?

Does anybody know about Magila Backpackers?

Thanks
Jon.

There are hardly any backpackers in PNG (I met none in 2 months) so there are of course no hangouts as such either.

What I found was that accomodations called "backpackers" in PNG and the Solomons were mostly simple local guesthouses mainly used by locals. Their owners have usually been to Oz and got the name idea there.

Never heard of Magila before - maybe some of the resident expats know it?

Based on their website they are a typical budget motel, and seem good value by PNG city standards.

Gday Jon,
I stayed at the magilas last year for a short while before starting work in Moresby; In short, Magila doubles as a brothel!. To be honest, you wont get much cheaper than the 50 kina per night rates in PM, the rooms are average (as is the food). It is located in 6 mile, not too far from the airport. Unfortunatelly i experienced theft here, and it is not reccommended to leave the magila compound to go walking in the local area. I have heard that there is a CWA guest hostel in port moresby which some of my PNG friends claim is quite good and reasonably priced. Sorry i dont have any more details. As Laszlo eludes to, you probably won't run into too many backpacker in PNG.
Have fun in PNG.

Another safe budget place recommended by many (but not in LP) is the Lutheran Guesthouse.

Jon, I can vouch for abitofeverything's assessment of Magila - it is a front for what is basically a brothel! However, they do have quite a few 'backpacker' type rooms (whihc of course is required in their line of work) which are probably reasonably priced. But Magila is out of town and there is no where to go near by. It is in a pretty rough area.

A couple of places that would be at the lower end of the market, but look quite okay and are in better locations are:

- Comfort Inn in Boroko - email comfortinn@daltron.com.pg

- Weigh Inn which is almost in Town, close to Andersons Supermarket - weighinn@global.net.pg

- Shady Rest in Three Mile, has a good restaurant - reservations@shadyrest.com.pg

Check out the prices these places charge - I think they will be okay as far as Port Moresby goes.

I also agree with that assessment of Magila.

Put it this way - dirty sheets, used condom in shower recess.

But it also gets a HEAP of mining people though it. We met some really awesome people there. Mostly people said to us "what the hell are you doing here?" but we drank in the Magila Gorilla club, chatted to the prostitutes, and had a good time.

Does anyone have an email address for the Lutheran Guesthouse?