THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Papua New Guinea
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Things to Do in Papua New Guinea
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Kokoda Track, Port Moresby Nature Park, Multi-day Tours, Islands.
Kokoda Track, Port Moresby Nature Park, Multi-day Tours, Islands.
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See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Hiking Trails
Cemeteries
Government Buildings
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
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What travellers are saying
- Paddy M1 contributionIts not a religious journey, but it feels like a pilgrimmage.
We were incredibly well supported by Tracie and Adventure Kokoda prior to leaving. Our Trekking guide did a superb job throughout, and his military background gave insights and context to each battle situation like no other
A trip of a lifetime
Thanks HBWritten 24 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Annabel F16 contributionsSuch a lovely way to spend the day. The park is very secure and safe. The gardens are beautiful. Everything is spotlessly clean. The welfare standards for the animals is very high, better than a lot of Australian zoos I’ve been to, and plays an important role in conservation. The chicken burger is delicious and the cafe is a beautiful spot to relax with fantastic live music on the day we were there. Can’t believe it was only 22 Kina entry fee. Can’t wait to go back.Written 28 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Happy TravellerSydney, Australia9,149 contributionsI wasnt really keen to go too close … so we went to a reserve opposite the volcano. There was a tranquil lake and hot springs to one side. Beautiful day … very sad to hear the stories from our guide Bernadette. Id be frightened to live there.Written 22 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Feli P4 contributionsThis was THE highlight of our stay in PNG. We saw no other tourists during a 5 day trip in the Upper and Middle Sepik.
Cyril took care of everything. He knows basically everyone around the river, and will make you feel as safe as possible. Has great English as well.
He may seem “tough” to you at first, but has a big and soft heart. Be gentle and communicate clearly your expectations, he’s always proactive and frank regarding what’s possible or not.
I’ve read some recent scary news about the region, but found no signs of violence at all, and was received with utmost kindness and seas of genuine smiles.
We would usually wake up early, have breakfast, and spend 3 to 6 hours riding the canoe while stopping by interesting villages. Our journey started with a long trip to the village of Wagu, which is near a good spot to watch the birds of paradise. If you are not into birdwatching, this won’t be that interesting to you (we had more fun in the Middle Sepik, and saw plenty of cool birds while cruising, anyway).
*FAVOURITE VILLAGES*
🌴 Kanganamun was the village we found the most scenic - lush greenery, pretty gardens, majestic spirit houses.
🛖 Avatip was beautiful and exceptionally lively (it’s the “longest” one in the region).
⚽️ Kamanibit has a special place in our heart. It had the most comfy accommodation and it’s the place Cyril calls home. He took us to a “sporting event” we will never forget. I won’t give details as to keep expectations low, but I suggest you definitely ask him about what’s going on, when you are there!
⛪️ Karawari and Blackwater river villages were distinct, with highest elevation, lake views and churches different from anything I’ve ever seen.
*TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION*
🪣 Living conditions are basic in this part of the world. No running water, electricity (from solar panels) only for a couple hours a day. You will sleep in decent mattresses (on the floor) with mosquito nets, and toilets outside. Expect bucket showers and lots of insects.
🥗 Food is simple, but better than we expected: rice, veggies, fruits, fish. Dinners will be cooked with love by your hosts.
🛶 The canoe you will travel in is stable, and pretty dry. Bring a hat, sunscreen and repellant.
*PS: I have read one “bad” review about Cyril online, where a tourist presumed malice on his part. Without getting into personal details, I have proof that this tourist is wrong, and that Cyril went above and beyond to make things right in what was an exceptional situation.
That’s the thing with the Sepik, and PNG in general. It’s pretty unpredictable. So make your plans flexible, your heart open, and let yourself enjoy the journey.
If you are considering a trip to the Sepik and thinking it may be “adventurous” - yes, it’ll probably be rougher than you expect. If you are expecting it to be memorable - yes, it will be more unforgettable than you imagine.
Cyril’s whatsapp, as of 2025, is +675 7111 0089. If you ever read this, my brother, thank you for taking care of us, for introducing us to your family, and for the memories 💚Written 5 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Zac S16 contributionsGreat spot for tracking, birds watching and nature enjoying. From negative side, even though roads are still maintained, facilities look like a bit abandoned- toilets, information centre are closed and covered in dust.bnq areas were not used by anyone for a while. Again it's amazing spot but do not count too much on facilities- just unification with the nature:)Written 16 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sean RAdelaide, South Australia, Australia5 contributionsWe had come off the Kokoda Trail and found the graves of some of the soldiers whose experiences we had followed.Written 10 November 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert M27 contributionsWe visited Mt Wilhelm as well as cultural tours over 10 days including g Hela, Enga, Western, Simbu, Jiwaya, and Eastern Province with Imbuka Trek and Tours Ltd. We had a Private guide cook and driver. It was an incredible experience which was customized to our wishes which included bird watching and some trekking. We got so much more than expected and at a good price. We felt comfortable and safe the entire holiday.
Imbukatrekntours@gmail.com
Robert McCroskey. Rmccroskey@nwmsonline.comWritten 30 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - RoadTripRogerPutnam, CT592 contributionsKitava is unlike any cruise stop we have ever made. The island's 2,200 residents, spread among three villages, are subsistence farmers and fishermen who live, without electricity or other modern conveniences, in thatch-roofed huts fashioned with materials from the lush equatorial forest.
Kitava is one of the Trobriand Islands, whose "savages" were famously written about by Bronislaw Malinowski, the "father of social anthropology," when he studied them in the 1920s. Even today, their way of life is astoundingly alien to us, with the use of yams as a medium of exchange and a measure of wealth, the belief in magic and spells, the fluid system of marriage and divorce, and the adoption of a particularly aggressive form of cricket -- incorporating dancing and taunting -- as a substitute for intertribal warfare. (Wish we could've seen a game!) It's all way too much to talk about here, but the Wikipedia article on the Trobriand Islands is fascinating reading.
So how do cruise ships figure into this picture? They're part of the very slow and very incomplete modernization efforts undertaken after the islands came under the control of Papua New Guinea in 1975. A ship visits, on average, once a month, and on that day huge numbers of people walk for about an hour down to the beach to meet passengers who are ferried ashore on the lifeboats. Market stall after market stall extend for several hundred feet along the edge of forest that lines the beachfront.
Most of the stalls are selling handcrafts, mainly wood carvings and goods like mats and handbags woven from plants; we see a small fire set up to dry the fiber. But some of the stalls are fundraising displays for causes like the midwife service, a water purification system, and tuition for students aspiring to attend college.
The local schools are well represented, too. Formal education (including English) has been mandated since Papua New Guinea absorbed the islands. The children solicit contributions for their schools with singing and dancing. Some of the kids are in traditional Trobriands attire; we learn that they are required to dress this way once a week as a way of reinforcing a link to their traditions.
On the other side of a small channel (100 yards or so) is a tiny uninhabited island where the snorkeling is terrific, with great views of colorful coral and tropical fish. The only way to get over there is via one of home-made outrigger canoes -- some with sails, others paddled. For five kina (about $2), the locals will help visitors into the boats (which is none too easy for the typical retirees on the ship) and ferry them across. On the way we see bottlenose dolphins and a big sea turtle.
So it's a fun and fascinating day, but a sense of unease remains. The people are so obviously needy, and we wonder how they feel being gawked at by comfortable white retirees. When they sing and dance and offer their crafts, do they feel it is demeaning? Is it a sharing of their culture with pride? Is it an economic transaction, willingly entered into, that monetizes their culture? It's so hard to say. But the people of Kitava do no overt begging or panhandling that we can see.
We try to do a little good. We had read that the schools badly needed supplies, so we packed a bagful of pads, pencils and such to donate. We buy some of their crafts and pay the ferrymen more than they ask. It's nowhere near enough, but it eases our guilt. And our fellow passengers all seem to be doing the same thing. So maybe our visit does some good.Written 23 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - smvNYCNew York City, NY377 contributionsWe had an amazing time on Kiriwina Island. The waters around it are rich with corals and other sea life and one can easily snorkel from the shore. The only thing was the number of youths in boats that kept approaching us asking if we need a ride to the reef or back.Written 20 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Renuka RFiji118 contributionsWent for a visit and also got a tour of the Parliament House. Interesting to see the collection of butterflies of PNG. The outside of the building looks pretty interesting too.Written 2 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jobiksCairns, Australia124 contributionsThis is an emotional place with a sad atmosphere. The cemetery is immaculate and well laid out with beautiful gardens and huge raintrees. Lots of information about the wars and the brave men that fought for their countries and the commmonwealthWritten 9 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AussieTraveller2464Yamba, Australia5 contributionsMy husband and I booked a tour with Rocky Bay tours prior to our cruise. We had a little difficulty locating the tour bus (mainly as we were looking for Milne Bay tours, due to confusion about the company name) and then were given the remaining 2 seats on the bus. A second bus had been organised for the remainder of those who had booked and those guests were delayed in their departure. This was the only negative aspect that we experienced and we were glad we made it on to the first bus. The tour itself was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality we experienced at the village. It felt like a ‘real’ experience of village life and not something contrived for tourists. There was no hawking of goods or attempts to extract additional money from us. The people, from young kids to teenagers to adults did everything possible to help us enjoy the experience, such as assisting us into the water for snorkeling, providing a tub of water for rinsing off after swimming, ensuring we had plenty to eat etc. I’d recommend taking reef shoes if planning to snorkel as the reef is close to shore and hard to walk on to reach water deep enough to swim in. What the villagers have done in organising these tours is an example of a community with few resources banding together in a very clever , well planned enterprise that benefits the whole village. It is a credit to their resourcefulness and I highly recommend this tour to visitors to the Alotau region.Written 3 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
