With pristine beaches, traditional tribal villages and a culture which has only recently opened to tourism, Papua New Guinea is becoming a must-do for travellers seeking a unique holiday experience. One of the great joys of visiting Papua New Guinea is that it remains largely undiscovered, and offers visitors the chance to rekindle their spirit of adventure in an exotic, safe and friendly environment. If you’ve always dreamed of visiting the Pacific, but crave something more meaningful than palm trees and colourful cocktails, this fascinating destination could be just what you’re looking for. At some islands bamboo rafts line the shore, ready to take snorkellers to a sandy atoll that looks so idyllic it resembles a picture postcard. Alotau, the capital of Milne Bay Province in south-eastern Papua New Guinea, played a pivotal role in the Battle of Milne Bay which took place in 1942 and war history tours are deservedly popular.
Join a war history tour
Conch shell fanfare
Papua New Guinea is warm throughout the year and has distinct wet and a dry seasons. However, it is always warm enough to swim. Even during the dry season the humidity seldom drops below 70 percent. June to September are the most popular months for tourism as this is the driest time of the year. Most of Papua New Guinea’s major festivals happen around this time too, for the same reason. Cyclones and heavy rain are common during the wet season, making this a less ideal time for tourists to visit.
Hire a guide when you’re exploring. Some parts of New Guinea are safer than others and guides know the places you can see and which ones to avoid.
While you’ll probably see beautiful shells for sale, harvesting these damages local reefs. Buy a different souvenir and save the planet.
Drink bottled water and clean your hands regularly, either with water or hand sanitiser. Opt for freshly cooked food and fruit you can peel if possible.
Don’t just visit the capital cities and popular tourist spots. Smaller villages are equally captivating in their own way and shouldn’t be missed.
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Dr Tiana Templeman is an award-winning food and travel journalist, travel author and media industry academic. She is the creator of The Travel Temple, writes for Australian and international media outlets and appears on radio talking about where to go, what to see and travel industry trends.