Port Moresby Travel Guide
Port Moresby accommodation, Port Moresby activities and attractions, Port Moresby maps, transportation to and around Port Moresby - the ALL NEW Jasons Port Moresby Destination Travel Guide is your complete visitor guide for Port Moresby.
Overlooking a superb natural harbour on the southern coast of the mountainous Central Province, Port Moresby is the centre of business and government for PNG, and its principal port. The city was named after Captain John Moresby, who mapped the southern coastline in 1873. The business centre and docks sit on a peninsula at the entrance to Fairfax Harbour, while the greater city extends along the coastal bays and into the hills.
Port Moresby is a fascinating blend of old and new, and home to the country's largest foreign community. The National Parliament Building, with its striking blend of modern architecture and traditional design, can be found here. The city is the gateway for international travellers to PNG, with Jackson International Airport located just 10km away. It is the hub of the country's domestic air services, with services to most of the 466 provincial airfields. From Ela Beach in the city, the shoreline leads to Koki Bay, a traditional meeting place for locals and the venue of a colourful market, then inland to Boroko and Waigani suburbs.
Population: 200,000
Area: Located in the Central Province, on the southern coast bordering the Coral Sea.
Climate: Temperatures range from 23ºC-32ºC in coastal areas and 14ºC-28ºC in the highlands
Dry Season: Varies from province to province, but the driest months are generally May to December.
Major Attractions: National Museum & Art Gallery, Botanic Gardens, Hiri Moale Festival, Paga Hill, Hanuabada, Koki Market, Yachting, Ela Beach.
Attractions:
- National Museum & Art Gallery
The museum and gallery are an ideal way to explore the cultural heritage of PNG's complex and varied tribal lifestyles.
- National Botanic Gardens
Located at the University campus, these fine gardens have some excellent examples of the varied flora and fauna, including tropical Birds of Paradise and magnificent orchids.
- Hiri Moale Festival
Usually held in September, this annual event celebrates the Hiri (trade voyage) first made by the Motu people in the early 18th century to trade for food supplies. The festival features the colourful cultural displays of the yellow-faced Mekeo Sing Sing groups and the Miss Hiri Hanenamo beauty pageant, as well as canoe racing and an arts and crafts exhibition. The arrival of the Lagatoi (traditional canoes) at Ela Beach is one of the highlights.
- Paga Hill
The site of the original settlement, this is a favourite lookout spot for visitors, with fine views over Port Moresby and its harbour.
- Hanuabada
A Motuan stilt village close to the city centre, which retains some of the character of the Motuan tradition.
- Koki Market
This colourful daily market is a great place to browse for bargains. At the weekend, the crowded stalls offer fresh fruit, seafood and local vegetables.
- Yachting
The Royal Papua Yacht Club is located at Port Moresby, with yachting and mooring facilities.
- Ela Beach
The city's beach is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking, and not far from the main hotels and shops.
- Markets
Gordons Market, on Gordon Court Road off the end of Cameron Road, is one of the largest in the country and always bustling. The fresh fruit and vegetables are superb, and they also sell fish and exotic meats. Koki market, on the waterfront near the Koki shops, is the main seafood market and best on Saturdays.
- Parliament House
Built in the style of a Maprik Haus Tambaran (house of spirits), this impressive building was opened in 1984. It’s an interesting place whether Parliament is sitting or not. A small shop has books and displays of Papua New Guinea’s fantastic butterflies. Open 9am to noon and 1pm to 3pm.
- City and Harbour Views
These are great from Paga Hill behind the Crowne Plaza or from Touaguba Hill above the harbour. A tour of the city may include these lookout points as well as the stilt villages of Hanuabada.
- Moitaka Wildlife Sanctuary
Crocodile feeding is on Friday afternoons from 2pm-4pm when the place is open to the public. There are some huge crocs and it’s an act worth seeing. Other animals and birds include a precocious Raggiana bird of paradise. Located a few kilometres out of town on the Sir Hubert Murray Highway. Admission fee.
- Bomana War Cemetery
Thousands of young Australian and Papua New Guinean soldiers are buried in this carefully tended WWII cemetery, a heart-wrenching reminder of the horrific campaigns in the region. Located on the Sogeri Road not far from the Sir Hubert Murray Highway.