PNG Goroka Accommodation

Hi my partner and I are planning a trip from Aus to PNG in September. We intend visiting Goroka for the annual show, does anyone have suggestions for accommodation ? We have backpacked around SE Asia India and Nepal so are used to budget guest house accommodation and would consider village home stays as well.

Also is flying to Goroka from Port Moresby the only option or can Goroka be accessed from other locations by air or road services.

Whilst you ight have back packed everywhere beware of PNG. Been ripped off on three ocasions and basically given up and had far better and cheaper by 60% experiences through adventure indonesia and go into western PNG. if you do go be very carful and forget village accomodation really. my husband has been there many times and if you are still interested let me know and i will give you our phone number to discus

Don,

I have been to the last two Goroka Shows and both times stayed at the Goroka Lodge. It is about a 20 minute walk from the Lodge to the show grouds, through the centre of town. The lodge is not cheap, probably about K200 per night, but nothing in PNG is cheap. There are other options - do a search on Goroka and you will find them as each year there is a lot of discussion about show accomodation on TT.

You can get to Goroka by bus from either Lae or Madang on the northern coast.

I have stayed in lots of villages and had good experiences. I don't think it would work for the Show as transport into town would be a problem. However, before or after the show if you have the time would be good. Just ask around in Goroka and you will find out about the options.

Unlike Frangy, I have never been ripped off and only had good experiences travelling in PNG.

I stayed at the Lutheran Guesthouse a few times and would recommend it....clean, friendly, quiet and good food. We left our larger backpacks there while we visited villages and went to Kegsugl; there were no problems. I agree with #2, getting to and from a village for the show would be time consuming but I would try to do a village stay before or after the show; it is well worth it.

I only had great experiences while traveling in PNG. I have been to all of the countries you listed and enjoyed them all but PNG is something special. Enjoy!

Sorry, I cannot help you with New Ireland....did not visit there!

There should be another guesthouse run by the church... I believe it's affiliated with the Lutheran guesthouse... this one is for female Christian members but they usually accommodate male tourists. I was there during the show and much to my surprise, it was almost empty. A dorm bed ran you around 20 or 30 kinas 3 some years ago and I don't think the price would go that high over this duration. I stayed with various local families in the villages or the outskirts of cities. No problem at all. Even during the show. Very few families asked for anything. But sometimes I give them some and they are quite happy with a few bucks a day mostly as a gesture of good will. Remember giving is a very important part of the culture and they certainly are extremely giving. And it helps with a little gesture from our side too. There are of cheating elements in the society but beyond the obvious ones it quite depends on how you treat them as well. Now taking a bus to Goroka would certainly give you lots of time to get to know the passengers and there's certainly a very good chance that one of them would offer you a place to sleep. Good luck.

If you do stay in a village, you must give something to the family you stay with. In Highlands culture, all obligations are repaid eventually, and as an outsider the only way for you to do this is at the time (anyway, it's a lot cheaper than a hotel!) Enjoy!