West New Britain Accommodation and Travel Information
In contrast to East New Britain, this province is sparsely populated and relatively undeveloped, with vast areas of pristine rainforest. The local economy is mainly supported by forestry and palm oil production. The area has the country’s largest collection of volcanoes – five are still active and 16 are extinct or dormant. There are also active thermal areas with mud pools, geysers and hot springs. The capital is Kimbe, and there is superb diving at Kimbe Bay.
Attractions:
- Kimbe
This provincial centre services the large palm oil industry and has a hospital, banks, post office, shops and a daily market. It lies about 30km from the main airport at Hoskins.
- Talasea
Located on the Willaumez Peninsula this little town looks out across a bay to many islands. The whole peninsula is thermally active and within the town area there are bubbling mud pools.
- Pangula Island
Opposite Talasea, the island is home to the Valley of Wabua (Valley of Hot Water), with its thermal geysers and fumaroles.
- War wrecks
Wrecks of two US bombers, one of them a B-24 Liberator, lie in the hills behind Talasea.
- Volcanic areas
There are several extinct volcanoes around Hoskins and an active geyser field at Koimumu, a short way inland. At Mount Pago, an active volcano about an hour east of Hoskins, the Pakili Wildlife Management Area has steaming mud pools and geysers.
- Diving and snorkelling
Kimbe Bay is famous for its huge corals, big fish and caves. Land-based diving is available from Walindi Plantation Resort, which has a live-aboard, the MV Febrina, and with Dive Hoskins at Palm Lodge Hoskins. Snorkelling is good at Walindi.
- Fishing
Big fish found off Kimbe Bay are blue and black marlin, sail fish and dog-tooth tuna, while the waterways around Kandrian and Talasea are known for spot-tail bass. The Arrjim Island Bass Fishing Camp on the remote south coast of West New Britain is internationally renowned for its black and spot-tail bass.
- Trekking
There is good trekking around Cape Gloucester where Mount Langila is still rumbling gently. You can walk along the beautiful Kandrian coast to Eseli, staying in guesthouses. From Talasea, walk out to Cape Hollman on the Willaumez Peninsula. Lake Dakataua, at the end of the peninsula, is a picturesque spot to explore. Contact Ecotourism Melanesia for more information.
For accommodation in West New Britain, just visit our West New Britain accommodation page to search West New Britain accommodation listings, and make enquiries or bookings online. Our listings include motels and motor lodges, hotels, bed and breakfasts, camping grounds and holiday parks, resorts and lodges, backpackers and hostel accommodation.
For things to see and do in West New Britain, just visit our things to see and do in West New Britain guide to search for West New Britain listings, and make enquiries or bookings online. Our listings include tourist attractions, tours, and sightseeing in the area.