Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

 

Discover Papua New Guinea - One of the Most Culturally Diverse Nations in the World

Papua New Guinea’s complex culture and biodiversity mean an endless supply of amazing discoveries for even the widest-travelled adventurer. While hiking the Kokoda Track is an act of pilgrimage for some, the insight into remote indigenous cultures and encounters with exotic wildlife are reason enough for many.

Alotau. Alotau is the provincial capital of the Milne Bay Province located in the southeast bay of Papua New Guinea. The town and surrounding area has been an important staging ground during World War II and we will see remains and memorials dating back or referring to the war. On a tour of the town, visitors will appreciate lovely vistas of the bay and experience the markets, which are frequented not only by locals, but also by islanders selling their products or looking for produce to take back into Milne Bay. 

Wewak. The Sepik region of Papua New Guinea is a wonderland of islands, beautiful coastlines, river systems and mountain ranges. It is the site of Japanese surrender in September 1945, and a history rich in human endeavours. First colonised by Germans in 1885, the area soon attracted mercenaries, explorers, traders, labour recruiters, and missionaries. But it is the timeless history of the Sepik people themselves which provide the mystery and exotic folklore of this fascinating area. 

Tufi. Tufi is located on the south-eastern peninsula of Cape Nelson in the Oro Province of Papua New Guinea. It is situated on a tropical fjord, which is the work of ancient volcanic activities and was not shaped by ice as the descriptive name might lead you to believe. Surrounded by uncharted coral reefs, the underwater world has attracted many divers wanting to see for themselves how the area earned the description of having more fish than water.

Rabaul. Rabaul, the former provincial capital, has quite a remarkable location. The town is inside the flooded caldera of a giant volcano and several sub-vents are still quite active today! The fumes of the volcano Tavurvur can be seen continually and the town suffered greatly during the last major eruption of 1994 when some 80% of the houses collapsed due to the ash raining down onto their roofs. Rabaul has a Volcano Observatory sitting atop the town’s center, monitoring the 14 active and 23 dormant volcanoes in Papua New Guinea. 

Samarai. Samarai is a tiny island south of Papua New Guinea’s southeastern peninsula dwarfed by neighbouring islands. Once a famous trading port and the second-largest settlement in the Territory of Papua (the Australian-administered southern part of what today is Papua New Guinea), Samarai used to be Milne Bay Province’s capital until 1968 when administrators were moved to mainland and the town of Alotau. The relocation was necessary as the 29-hectare (72-acre) island was simply overcrowded. 

Wild Earth Travel offers a variety of small ship cruises visiting Papua New Guinea. Anywhere and everywhere we are ready to guide you through our range of different options with impartial advice so you can experience the very best of this unique destination.

 

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