One Week in PNG

I'm flying with Air Niugini this June between Japan and Fiji and thought I would spend a week in PNG on my way back. I am aware that one week is nowhere near enough time to do much exploring, but I am hoping to at least see some beautiful scenery and/or relax on a beach or two and do a bit of snorkelling if possible. Any ideas where I should go? With such a short time-frame, I don't have delusions of cruising the Sepik or visiting any far-flung islands - just somewhere easily accessible by plane from Port Moresby.

I thought of either Rabaul or Madang. Are either of these places feasible to visit in a single week? Is it even the right season to visit? Perhaps somebody has a better idea? I'm all ears!

Thanks in advance!

Hey there,

I haven´t been to Rabaul, but Madang was okay. A bit sleepy and not much to do. My favourite place was Alotau. It´s right on the East coast in the Milne Bay province. Also not a big place, but I felt a nice atmosphere and there´s a lovely place to stay, the <p>Napatana Lodge</p>. They have a restaurant and bar and a lot of the expats go there for a drink or two. They can organise activities for you if you like (should visit the skull caves). If you´re a diver, there are some great dive and snorkeling spots (dive base was situated next to the Japanese hotel on the main street or you can go out with the guys from Tawali Resort). I also hired a car and went to the East Cape and a bit along the coast. If you do go to Alotau, you should make sure to spend one or two nights with Wayne at the <p>Ulumani Treetops Lodge</p> around 20 minutes from Alotau, where you can be picked up (Gretta from Napatana can help you arrange this). The place is situated in the jungle on a little hill and you have a spectacular view of the bay - bring some cold beers for sundowner. They have more expensive accomodation as well as backpacker rooms and you can do bush hikes to some small waterfalls up the hill behind the Lodge.

If you go, I hope you´ll enjoy this place as much as I did!

Hi,

I would go along with the Alotau recommendation - pretty, clean, sleepy and safe. Both Airlines PNG and Air Nuigini service it. Bernard's Guesthaus in East Cape is also lovely and over the water. Tawali has great diving and is five star - built into the rainforest by the water over a limestone cliff. Gretta at Napatana Lodge has a good heart for local community level guesthouses and tours. Napatana's "flashpacker" rooms are very good.

Rabaul is fascinating. You fly to Kokopo. Stephen and Martha at Kaibaira are the best dive operators and have accommodation. Kokopo has other places to stay including the lovely Rapopo and in-town Kokopo Beach Bungalows. I have also stayed at the Catholic Mission in Kokopo which is good on a budget. Volcano, the remains of Rabaul, great diving, great snorkelling (submarine base), Tolai culture, war caves.

Madang is my home ples so I will also say that is lovely! Good snorkelling and diving. Madang Lodge or the CWA are good places to stay. CWA is in town but no air con.

The other popular spot is Kavieng. Head down the famous highway, great diving, very sleepy and pretty, lots of islands to explore.

Enjoy the week - great place

Rich

For a bit more complete picture of PNG, I think one week would be long enough to visit both Madang on the coast and Goroka in the Highlands, traveling between them by road.

I would prefer this option to the Rabaul area alone, though New Ireland would be a stronger competitor.

Hi everyone,

Thanks a lot for the advice. Seems that Alotau might be a good option too. However, I had the impression from the guide books that the weather in Alotau might not be that great in June. Am I correct in assuming this?

Hello all. The posts here are a great help to me as I'm starting a 12 month RTW trip in August 2010 and will be going to PNG in late January. Only thing is I havn't decided what to do/how much time to spend there yet.

After reading through the LP guidebook and seeing the prices of the trekking (not to mention tour company online itineries for the treks) I've decided that I will probably return to PNG on a separate trip in the future with pure trekking in mind. Do the Kokoda and Highlands etc.

So now I'm left with 'what to do after landing in Port Moresby?' The Alotau option sounds great, do you have to fly? There seems to be no PMV routes in the guidebook.

If so, my main question if anyone can answer is this...when landing in Port Moresby, is it relatively easy to book a local return flight to Alotau in terms of availability? I can book with STA from here, but would rather pay local prices than another £250 internal flight! And would 1 week be enough there?

Any answers would be great.

Thanks, Nathan

Yeah I would have to agree about Alotau.
We travelled for 2 months all around png and ended up in Alotau. Although the town is pretty rough, if you can get an invite to one of the nearby villages you'll be in for a beautiful stay. Gretta is def the person to speak too (at Napatana).
We went up to stay at Ullamani at Waga Waga for 3 days....we stayed for 3 weeks. It is such an awesome spot, the family are gorgeous, and Warren from Ullamani can organise anything for you to do. It is highly recommended and a real treat after staying in some of the rougher places in png.
Have a great time - PNG has its problems and dangers but it is a wonderful place with gorgeous friendly people. Just dont get intimidated by the incessant staring.

Have fun,
Perky.

Sorry - my advice is in another direction....7 days is enough time to see the Sepik. Mind you just the lower and middle most likely. You will have time to village hop for a few days nights as you work your way through the Sepik. The Sepik is amazing and a must see. Yes, Alotau is nice, but on a world scale the snorkeling ranks somewhere in the middle. Fiji is better - or stop in Palau on your way to Japan...