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It houses PNGs’ archeological and anthropological collection and it is a great introduction to PNGs’ rich culture and diversity. And honestly, it is excellent.
We loved the museum, some of our favourite ones were the trading canoes from Milne bay, cool Malangan masks from New Ireland and even spirit houses.
You can easily allow two hours here and the more you explore the museum, the more want to see the other parts of the country.
The fantastic festivals that PNG is known for are at the top of our bucket list, but the National Museum is one of the best things to do in Port Moresby.
Note: Free admission on weekdays; K10 on weekends for nonresidents.
We were also lucky at the time we visited the Museum, as there was a Sunday market on just outside. We’re told that this only happens once per month and it’s a great opportunity to buy some local handicrafts, art and taste some food too.
We purchased a wooden mask here that had been carved by locals from Sepik River, over 750km away.
A short drive from the centre, the Nature Park allows you to learn more about the diversity and biodiversity of Papua New Guinea without getting on the plane to other parts.
We spent most of our morning here as there was so much to see. There are multiple species of birds of paradise, tree kangaroos, parrots, reptiles, cassowaries and so much more. Oh, and there are many fruitbats in the trees. The rainforest creates a gorgeous setting and it’s very enjoyable to walk around.
There is a cafe and souvenir shop on the end, but you can choose to refuel anytime. The entire park reminded us of smaller wildlife parks in Australia.
Entrance Fee: 20 PGK (US $5.70)
It’s not really suited for swimming although you might see some local kids splashing around on a hot day, the nice promenade along it makes it a nice place to catch the cool late afternoon breeze.
You will also find the huge Port Moresby sign here – a perfect backdrop for that photo.
There is an excellent place to stay for a few days at the Grand Papua Hotel.
We love exploring local markets, it’s the best way to see the local produce and often we get to interact with locals. The Koki Market near Ela Beach is one of the best things to do in Port Moresby to see fresh fish sold on wooden benches as local vendors chew betel nuts.
A whole medium sized yellowfin tuna sells here for around 20-30 Kina ($6-8)
You might need a local to accompany you here and always ask for permission when taking photos. You’ll also see the nearby picturesque stilt village of Koki where many of the local fishermen live.
For the real vibes of the city, we recommend popping into Vision City Mega Mall. It’s one of the best things to do in Port Moresby on the weekend.
The parliament house is also called Haus and it has been built in the style of the house of spirits (tambaran). The building blends in some traditional elements with modern and you can also come in for a tour of the building.
But if you can’t, you can at least snap a photo from the outside,
If you wish to do some hiking while visiting Port Moresby, head out to the Varirata National Park.
You can choose a trial ranging from 1 to 3 hours and if you are lucky spot the kingfishers and Raggiana birds of paradise in the wild.
We recommend this Birding & Cultural Tour of Port Moresby and Mt Hagen.
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Bomana War Cemetery is the resting place of 4000 unknown PNG and Australian WWII soldiers.
The Kokoda Track marks the course of one of the most important battles for Australians in the Second World War. Between 21 July and 16 November 1942, the Australian Army stopped the furthermost southward advance by Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea and then pushed the enemy back across the mountains.
Many Australians come to Papua New Guinea to hike this track. You can reach the start of the track by driving to Ower’s Corner.
The range of accommodation options in Port Moresby isn’t too long.
It’s also worth noting that accommodation in this city is costly. Some recommended suggestions for budget, mid-range, and luxury options can be viewed here on Booking.com.
Some popular options to stay in Port Moresby are:
Luxury Hotel: Crowne Plaza Residences
Mid Range Hotel: Holiday Inn & Suites
Budget Option: Hohola Apartments
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5 Comments. Leave new
Greetings
Quick question: When visiting PNG and Solomon Islands, did you take anti-malarial medication?
Kind Regards
Rowan
Hi Rowan,
Yes, we took anti-malaria medication for our visit to the Solomon Islands as it is recommended. However, we didn’t take any for PNG. If you’re travelling to remote islands or areas in PNG, it may be recommended.
We usually check our government health website (it’s called ‘Smart Traveller’ in Australia) for this information as it’s usually the most up-to-date info.
Greetings
How did you get around Port Moresby, do you have contacts/info of the driver/guide? What were the costs for this? Did you stay at any of the hotels and did you get a taxi from the airport or a private security company vehicle/hotel shuttle?
Best regards
Dave
Hi Dave,
We’d booked our first few nights at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, and this included a pick-up transfer from airport. However, accommodation is super expensive here and we decided to move to Hohola Apartments for the remainder of our stay.
It’s basic accommodation, but it’s clean and the hosts are wonderful. A husband and wife team host this place and he was very happy to drive us around town, to the supermarket or to the museum etc for sightseeing without asking for any extra money. He was a great man and dropped us at the airport to catch our departure flight. We tipped him on the end for all of his help and advice, he was very appreciative of this gesture.
Thank you so much for this article! We’re spending a few nights in Port Moresby before heading out for the Goroka Tribal Festival. I had no idea what to do while we were in town other than Varirata National Park. Now I have some ideas!