Best Things to Do in Papua New Guinea in 2026: Top Places & Travel Tips

Papua New Guinea is nicknamed the “Land of Surprises.” The country is home to more than 800 languages, volcanic mountain ranges, and untouched coral reefs that attract adventurous travelers from around the world. If you are after a solid rundown on where to go there, this guide highlights must-see destinations across the country and helps travelers plan memorable experiences. This complete guide to things to do in Papua New Guinea covers must-see spots from tribal sing-sings to WWII battlefields, helping you craft authentic adventures beyond the usual paths.

10 Must-Do Things to Do in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea's wild diversity packs epic hikes, cultural immersion, and world-class dives into one unforgettable adventure. This curated list of top things to do in Papua New Guinea spans WWII trails, tribal festivals, and pristine reefs, blending history, nature, and raw tradition. Each spot delivers authentic experiences that outshine tourist traps, perfect for building your ultimate itinerary.

Kokoda Trail: Epic WWII History Hike

The Kokoda Track winds 96 kilometers across the Owen Stanley Mountains, and is one of the most popular things to do in Papua New Guinea. This track is often seen as PNG’s toughest hike, lasting anywhere from a week to nearly two weeks. This journey follows old battle routes from 1942, when soldiers from Australia, Papua, and allied units blocked Japan's push southward. Scattered remains, dugouts, and wrecked aircraft are still found among tall grass and wet forest trails.

Begin at Owers Corner, near Port Moresby, head upward past Goldie River spots before reaching hamlets such as Nauro and Ioribaiwa. Locals haul supplies; prepare for heights near 2,000 meters, leeches in wet areas, plus washing up in creeks. KTA guides share stories from “fuzzy wuzzy angels,” locals who helped soldiers during wartime. These tales give Historical places in Papua New Guinea deeper meaning than plaques ever could.

Fitness needs prep work; weighted walks help boost endurance. When the dry spell hits, trails stay clear of landslides; Trek packages typically start at around USD 1,700, including permit fees. After hiking, the Isurava site brings heavy thoughts about past losses. This spot in PNG changes people, mixing tough climbs with deep meaning.

Port Moresby: Urban Gateway to Wonders

Port Moresby hums with life - it’s the main city of Papua New Guinea and the go-to starting point for exploring its natural wonders. The Port Moresby Nature Park grabs attention fast, home to over 340 kinds of birds spread across 340 acres of covered jungle; spot tree kangaroos or big flightless cassowaries while walking above the treetops. When you are planning things to do in Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby often appears on lists of the best places to visit.

The National Museum & Art Gallery holds objects 50,000 years old, like Lapita pots or kundu drums. Instead of walls, Parliament House stands on stilts, shaped by Melanesian design ideas. Morning markets sell bilas' stuff plus crunchy kaukau roots.

Near Varirata National Park, you’ll find 20km of paths that lead to views of Port Moresby plus hidden spots for watching birds. When the day ends, try catching sunset at Ela Beach or head up Tavuni Hill instead. Because crime’s a concern, stay alert - pick well-lit zones or go with a guide. Use this spot to adjust your rhythm before diving into the highlands.

Sepik River: Living Cultural Heartbeat

The Sepik, the biggest river in PNG, shows off Papua New Guinea’s highlights - like tall spirit houses called haus tambaran near Ambunti and Kaminimbit. These wooden carvings show old family figures or crocs - not just art, but deep meaning. In some Sepik communities, traditional initiation rites include scarification, which is widely understood as a symbolic transition into adulthood. Many Historical places in Papua New Guinea remain unmarked, preserved mainly through memory.

Floating trips out of Wewak last several days, drifting by swampy sago groves where kingfishers flash bright colors. Grab a handmade mask or sit at a big meal - tourism dollars help local artisans survive. Hiking trails split off toward Blackwater Lake, its dark water stained like old tea.

More than 250 tongues are still spoken; living with families puts you right into longhouse routines. When the dry stretch hits, water flows calm down; outfits such as Sepik Spirit focus on village needs. Team it up with Chambri Lakes to see how women shape lake societies. This top PNG destination has kept customs going strong for over ten thousand years.

This region clearly shows what to do in Papua New Guinea if cultural immersion is the goal, making it one of the most visited places in the country.

Highlands Festivals: Vibrant Sing-Sings

Highlands burst into life at the Mount Hagen Cultural Show (August 15–16), where around 50 tribes showed up wearing feather crowns, grassy wraps, also necklaces made from pig tusks while doing traditional mudmen routines. The beat of drums rolls loud - people flood in, numbers hit about 30k.

Goroka Show in September features over 100 groups, sky drops where pigs are killed, along with Asaro’s muddy ghost-like figures coated in clay. Meanwhile, Kainantu Show throws in visits to coffee farms. These spots are fading traditions by showing off local culture loud and proud. Attending these events is one of the most memorable things to do here and ranks among the major tourist attractions in the country. Cultural events often influence the best time to visit Papua New Guinea more than weather alone.

Chat after events; barter for woven bags. At high elevations - around 1,600 meters - cold sets in, so pack a cozy jacket. Reserve plane tickets and rooms ahead of time; use an eSIM to send clips on the go.

Tufi Fjords: Fjord-Like Tropical Marvel

Exploring Tufi is easily one of the most scenic things to do in Papua New Guinea, and it stands out among the tourist spots. Tufi’s two dozen fjords - formed when volcanoes erupted are a top spot in PNG if you’re into paddling on glassy bays or plunging beneath waves where reefs show off 30-meter clarity alongside sunken warplanes. Tiny seahorses hide here; big-game fish like dogtooth tuna keep things wild.

Orokaiva people show off tapa fabric along with face markings. In Doi village, homestays offer buka - slow-cooked pork. On Bird Island, paths lead you to where hornbills hang out.

Resorts such as Tufi Dive get stronger breezes. The dry months bring the best conditions, reachable by regular planes out of Port Moresby. This quiet spot blends landscapes, traditions, plus underwater wonders without effort.

Rabaul and Tavurvur: Volcanic Drama

Rabaul’s huge crater holds Tavurvur, a volcano that’s still rumbling - since ’94, it’s been dusting Kokopo with ash. Trek past steaming cracks, then unwind at natural hot pools; the local volcano lab breaks down how all this works.

WWII passageways wind below old Japanese outposts; explore sunken ships such as the Yamato close by. In Kokopo, stalls offer taro alongside newly caught seafood after visitors leave.

Just certain fumes bring danger. Open water fish in the Bismarck Sea draw seasoned anglers. When it’s not raining, waves settle, perfect timing for this hot spot in the region. Walking through Rabaul is one of the more intense things to do in Papua New Guinea, placing it among the important Historical places in the region.

Milne Bay: World-Class Diving Haven

Milne Bay sits right in the heart of the Coral Triangle, known for its rich underwater life. It’s home to about 1,200 kinds of fish hiding among more than four dozen sunken ships. These wrecks come from the 1942 battle where Allied forces won a key fight. Giant manta rays swim around old vessels such as the Kyokusan Maru. Whaler sharks also cruise these waters, keeping watch near the wreckage.

The Kenu & Kundu Festival in November features wild canoe races. Meanwhile, Alotau’s markets hum with energy; on the Trobriands, people follow yam traditions through mothers’ lines, grow food in magical plots.

Resorts such as Walindi suit everyone from newbies to experts; the seas stay smooth between April and November. The WWII Museum gives a background that fits well with dive trips. Wreck diving here defines some of the most exciting things to do in Papua New Guinea, especially for fans of Adventure activities.

Madang: Lagoon and Lagoon Adventures

Madang’s rocky isles surround calm waters packed with sunken ships, take the San Ansimo, for instance. Slide through bright coral on a snorkel, or paddle by kayak toward village life on Kranket Island. Some Papua New Guinea tourist spots don’t look dramatic at first, but grow on you with time.

One of them is Loretta’s hot springs, soaking eases tired legs post-hike. Then there’s Bil Bil’s hand-shaped clay, vanishing quickly from roadside stands. Take Nusa Island, it draws big names chasing paddleboards and hush-filled getaways.

Diving works all year, best from April to November. Events such as the Madang Show mix different traditions. Getting there through Port Moresby is hassle-free, so it fits well in the middle of your journey. These laid-back things to do in Papua New Guinea make Madang a favorite among the tourism places.

Bougainville: Autonomous Island Escape

Bougainville’s calm after the 90s brings hikes up Mount Balbi - 2,715 meters high - alongside untouched coral gardens plus lively Mona Festival dances. Old war shelters still line the shores.

Buka’s markets buzz; explore coral reefs hit by starfish outbreaks. A self-governing region brings a different feel, reach it through Buka Airport. Road access remains limited, which keeps several Papua New Guinea tourist spots feeling untouched.

Dry weather makes hiking easier, and locals open their homes to travelers. The far-off corner of Papua New Guinea suits those craving solitude.

Tari Basin and Huli Wigmen: Highlands Icons

Tari’s Huli guys wear cassowary feathers, paint their faces for dances. Head toward Ambua Falls; sacred huts show old marriage customs.

Festivals of the Karai clan mix with mumu gatherings. When the dry months come, trails open up - locals help you avoid mistakes. This part of Papua New Guinea feels like history that still breathes.

Varirata and Asaro: Day Trip Delights

Varirata’s 1,084 hectares sit high above the Coral Sea - perfect for catching a glimpse of quolls. Meanwhile, the Asaro people wear strange masks, acting out an old story from the 1960s about a surprise attack.

Families like short trips from Moresby. Bird enclosures plus picnic areas make it better. A cheap way to see the highlands. Short trips like this prove that flexible things to do in Papua New Guinea fit neatly into any travel guide.

Connectivity Essentials for PNG Explorers

PNG’s tough landscape makes signal spotty, the eSIMs from SimCorner give you 1–50GB on 4G or 5G, last 7 to 45 days, and work as a hotspot. Leave expensive roaming (saves up to 90%), skip the SIM chaos, zero waiting, scan a code when you land, share data across gadgets. Grab one before you go for a solid signal from mountains to towns.

Shahzeb Shaikh, the Founder of SimCorner, explains, “A lot of travel within Papua New Guinea is over land, sea, or air connecting major cities, smaller towns, and isolated islands. Having a SimCorner SIM allows you to keep connected while traveling, so you can manage your trip, communicate with your travel guide, and share your travel stories as you travel while traveling to areas with no signal."

Flying in? Grab an eSIM; it gets you going faster, no lines, no fuss. Switching plans later is smoother, too. Load credit straight from your phone so videos from Sepik go live without hiccups. Handy when booking last-minute, handling urgent stuff, or decoding messages across hundreds of local languages. Check out our Papua New Guinea eSIM packages to find deals that fit hikes or city stays.

Through Kokoda’s foggy paths or hunting carved stories along the Sepik, Papua New Guinea pulls you in. Grab an eSIM or SIM Card from SimCorner, stream village dances without limits, trace jungle footpaths, and lock in dive trips online. Activate the eSIM before departure to stay connected and share updates throughout your journey. Hit order now; let every leap link up.

Things to do in Papua New Guinea: FAQs

What are the top things to do in Papua New Guinea?

Hiking the Kokoda Trail is one of the top things to do in Papua New Guinea, and then take a boat trip along the Sepik, where you'll see carved spirit houses. Check out sunken planes and ships by diving in the Milne Bay waters while skipping crowded spots. Finally, head to Hagen or Goroka during Show time for live dances and village pride on display.

Is Papua New Guinea safe for tourists?

Fewer dangers on paths such as Kokoda when you go with guides from PNG Tourism. In urban spots, small theft happens; skip walking alone after dark, stick to hotels instead. Take malaria pills and get shots before arrival. Worthwhile if you stay sharp.

What is the best time to visit Papua New Guinea?

May through October brings dry weather - great for hiking, diving, or catching local events, temps sit between 28–32°C, and rainfall stays light. The highlands feel chillier, though; Goroka’s big festival hits in September, while Hagen’s rolls in August. Heavy rains can swamp rivers when the wet season swings in. Rainfall, not temperature, usually decides the best time to visit Papua New Guinea.

Do I need a visa for Papua New Guinea?

A month-long entry pass when you land - usually for everyone (just need a passport that's good for half a year, proof you're leaving, and some cash). You can also grab an e-pass from the web; staying longer? That’s doable. Always check with PNG Immigration to be sure.

How to get to Papua New Guinea?

Fly POM through Asia or Australia using Air Niugini. Get local flights once there to reach areas. Link up elsewhere if coming from far off. Grab an eSIM after you land to move around.