PNG Questions

Hello to all,

Just joined the forum and have three questions that I hope someone more knowledgeable than me can help with. If so it would be greatly appreciated.

I want to visit PNG sometime after Christmas and travel from there to Papua and then on to other Indonesian islands.

Could someone please confirm whether or not the border between PNG and Papua is open to tourists and easy to cross. I'm assuming it is but just want to check.

Also, does anyone know anything about official sea ports of entry in PNG where it is possible to enter via private boat. A list of these would be most helpful.

And lastly, does anyone know whether or not there is much sea traffic between Australia and PNG? I've done plenty of crewing on boats before so am curious as to whether it would be possible to do the crossing from Cape York or Cairns this way. Just a thought really, as I realise now is not the most opportune time of year, weather wise.

Many thanks and happy travels to all.

The Torres Strait between Queensland and PNG is a very dangerous waterway. The only ships travelling between Queensland and PNG are freighters, generally out of Brisbane and very expensive cruise boats, rarely, from Brisbane or Cairns. There is no other regular shipping.
Also, January-April is cyclone season, and it promises to be a bad one this year.

The border is generally open, and when open, easy to cross as long as you have the necessary visa.

There's virtually no sea traffic for passengers between AU and PNG.
What exists are yachts and the odd cruise or cargo ship - both of the latter would cost you more than flying. Yachts will depend on your timing and luck, I guess.
But really, flying would probably be easiest and cheapest.