Papua New Guinea is a Pacific country, consisting of the Eastern half of New Guinea and the island of Melanesia. Papua New Guinea has the richest tribal heritage of all countries in the world, with scores of tribes living in reservations on the islands. The country has 852 documented languages, of which there are no known speakers for 12. The country is also home to a number of tribes that have not come into contact with the outside world for centuries, making them a scientific and cultural curiosity. Clearly, Papua New Guinea is one of the most exotic and interesting places there are to visit. Here is a list of best things to do in Papua New Guinea that can really make your trip one of its kind!
10 Must-Have Experiences In Papua New Guinea
From festivals to water sports, these 10 things to do in New Guinea will really add stars to your trip experience. Don’t believe us? Take a look and indulge in them yourself!
1. Attend the Milamala Festival
2. Visit the National Museum and Art Gallery
3. Watch the Goroka Show
4. Spend a day at the Varirata National Park
5. Meet the mudmen in Asaro
6. Shop at Ralf Stuttgen’s Place
7. Have coffee at Duffy’s
8. Plan a dinner at Rapala
9. Participate in the Hiri Moale Festival
10. Chill on the beaches at Yuo Island
1. Attend the Milamala Festival
The traditional festival of the Trobriand Islands is celebrated to mark the harvest of the sweet yams and is one of the most recommended things to do in Papua New Guinea. The festival is usually celebrated with a whole host of activities, including canoe racing, matches of cricket and some really dirty dancing according to local customs. This festival of free love and yams has become increasingly unpredictable in dates because it depends on the wishes of the local chief.
Location: Kiriwina, Trobrian Islands
Dates: Usually held in July and August
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2. Visit the National Museum and Art Gallery
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The Museum, located in Port Moresby, should be on top of your Papua New Guinea things to do list. The various exhibits are divided into sections such as music instruments, ceremonial drums used in festivals(kundu and garamut), clothes and costumes, totem poles and canoes and other seafaring things, and finally elaborate masks. The Milne Bay canoe is a popular attraction here, decorated in extensive splashboards and huge cowrie shells.
Location: Port Moresby, New Guinea
Timings: 9AM to 3PM
Entry fee: INR 2100
3. Watch the Goroka Show
The show is the oldest in all the country, and attracts thousands of people to the National Sport Institute’s Sports Oval in Goroka, the capital of the Eastern Highland Province. The singsing groups are the central attraction of the festival, flooding the show with traditional music and dance. All hotels in the city are sold out weeks before the event, and the Goroka festival is truly one of the hottest things to do in Papua New Guinea in September.
Dates: 14 – 16 September
4. Spend a day at the Varirata National Park
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Located at an average height of about 800 metres, the Varirata National Park is a little reminder of the fact that the Oceanic islands are home to some of the most stunning and diverse flora fauna in the world. There are several clearly marked trails here that can take anywhere from an hour to three hours to traverse. You can spot the occasional paradise birds and kingfishers, but birdwatchers have reported more exotic species, making it one of the best Papua New Guinea activities for nature enthusiasts.
Location: 36 kilometres from Port Moresby
Entry fee: INR 100
5. Meet the mudmen in Asaro
So this is something that you would definitely not see anywhere else and is truly one of the most amazing things to do in Papua New Guinea. Traditional warriors in Asaro wearing costumes also covered themselves in mud and wore mud masks to produce a striking and intimidating image, and even though there are no tribal wars and real mudmen to speak of in Asaro anymore, tour companies can organize recreations of local warfare for tourists.
Location: Asaro tribe lives near the town of Gorka
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6. Shop at Ralf Stuttgen’s Place
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If you are looking for shopping in Papua New Guinea for tribal artifacts or just great souvenir gifts, Ralf’s place near Wewak is a great place to go to. Located right on a ridge from where you can see the coast at tower, here you will find all kinds of Sepik carvings collected and compiled from over 50 villages. Ralf is also a naturalised citizen of the country and knows all there is know about the nearby villages. So if you are looking for something in particular on the islands, Ralf Stuttgen’s is one of the top things to do in Papua New Guinea.
Location: 15 kilometres from Wewak
7. Have coffee at Duffy’s
While this would not really figure on lists of things to do for other places, Duffy’s is the first international cafe to be found in Papua New Guinea. The decor and feel of the cafe is sleek and cool and very hipster friendly. We would recommend the freshly squeezed juices. Duffy’s is also emblematic of the country’s(and also Port Moresby’s) rising profile in the international tourism market and is one of the top 10 things to do in Papua New Guinea.
Location: Gabaka Street
Timings: 7AM to 4PM
Cost for two: INR 900
8. Plan a dinner at Rapala
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Rapala is the height of fine dining and definitely the best restaurant for a dinner date in Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea. Situated inside the Crowne Plaza, the place is quite old fashioned in its decor and feel. However, the dishes are anything but old. There are plenty of things that are recommended here, but the tasting platters are especially elegant and flavourful.
Location: Douglas and Hunter Streets
Timings: 6.30 to 9.30 PM
Cost for two: INR 3400
9. Participate in the Hiri Moale Festival
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Another festival to mark the Independence Day in Papua New Guinea, the Hiri Moale Festival is the showpiece celebration of the capital of Port Moresby and one of the best things to in Papua New Guinea. The indigenous Motu people that have lived here for centuries race giant decorated canoes. The celebration is also held to mark the change in direction of the trade winds that brought traders home from the Gulf in medieval times.
Location: Ela Beach
Dates: September 16
10. Chill on the beaches at Yuo Island
A great answer to the question of Papua New Guinea what to do, the beaches on this remote island just off the mainland are god’s own paradise. The pristine beaches and waters and forests here will make you feel like the last person on Earth. There is no electricity or running water here to add to the lost world charm. The ultra clear waters here are great for snorkelling and diving, and you can find some truly exceptional marine life here.
Location: 20 minutes from Wewak by motor boat
These things to do in Papua New Guinea are a cross-section and a mere snapshot of the rich possibilities in this exceptional country. If you have been wondering what to do in Papua New Guinea, you must add these to your next international trip itinerary for an impeccable holiday!
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