Rabaul Mask Festival
Bainings Fire Dance & Duke of York Islands Along with other New Guinea Island Experiences
Rabaul Mask Festival & Fire Dance - Duke of York Islands
Plus New Ireland Extension
Mon 6th to Mon 13th July 2026
8 Days / 7 Nights Tour
AUD6,400 p.p Twin Share
Single Supplement AUD990
Monday 5th to Monday 12th July , 2027 OPTION A
Monday 3rd to Monday 10th July , 2028
INCLUSIONS : Tour Package includes All Meals, Accommodation, Guides, Sightseeing, Entry Fees to all activities, Porterage, Transfers, Land & water Transport & Experienced Australian Tour Leader and 2 Domestic Air Flights.
Inc. New Ireland to 16th July 2026
11 Days / 10 Nights Tour
AUD8,490 p.p Twin Share
Single Supplement AUD1,190
Monday 5th to Thursday 15th July , 2027 OPTION B
Monday 3rd to Thursday 13th July , 2028
The New Guinea Island of New Britain offers a wonderland of cultural expression and historical intrigue set against the most dramatic of natural landscapes. Attend the East New Britain Mask Festival where ancient animist beliefs are celebrated in enthralling performances of music and dance. Relax on the idyllic Duke of York Islands where the seas abound with wild dolphins, dugongs and stunning scenery. Climb Mount Tavurvur, the active stratovolcano, that steams menacingly above the lunar like landscape of Rabaul Township. Learn about the key roles these islands played during the 2 world wars and the colonial characters that shaped its status as a hub of economic advancement. Add tours of New Ireland, Bougainville or Kimbe Bay in West New Britain to your itinerary for a complete adventure of the New Guinea Islands.
The New Ireland extension is included in the 11 Day Itinerary below
The New Ireland extension is included in the 11 Day Itinerary below
NEW IRELAND is renowned internationally for its unique Malagan carvings and traditional culture. Divers know the area for its variety including numerous wrecks. Surf breaks abound with uncrowded waves. The fish are plentiful and the entire length of the island is easily accessed by a sealed road that runs for it's entire length.
BOUGAINVILLE is one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the South Pacific. It's future and desire to become an independent country is one of the most anticipated developments in the region. Soak up the political intrigue along with the jungle fringed beaches and waterfall draped mountains. Unique customs displayed for the curious.
Kimbe Bay in WEST NEW BRITAIN is fringed by a number of active volcanic mountains. Dive magnificent volcanic caves draped in staghorn coral and reef drop-offs from the dive centre at Walindi Plantation Resort. If you’re keen to keep your head above water, the fishing, trekking, and hot springs are excellent diversions in this area, meaning non-divers can also enjoy the superb natural surroundings.
Extend your holiday with more days spent on any combination of these New Guinea Island destinations.
Flynns Tours is the only Tour operator serving PNG that includes the cost of all domestic airfares in your Package.
* For this tour a price cap of AUD900 included in the total package price should cover the cost of the 2 Domestic Flights. Following consultation any excess to this price cap will be billed to the client.Papua New Guinea is a developing country with a mountainous mainland surrounded by many remote islands. The regional centres are for the most part un-connected by road. Travellers normally book with only 2 nationally owned airlines that provide the only reliable air service. Airfares are expensive and without experience they are difficult for outsiders, even travel agents to book without the risking the smooth running of this Small Group Tour of PNG. Flynn's Tours experienced staff remove the risk and with all tour participants booked in a group booking we can provide the lowest prices possible and manage your bookings for you and allow you to enjoy your holiday without frustration and disappointment !
Day By Day Itinerary includes New Ireland Extension
Day 1 - Kokopo - East New Britain - Monday 6th July 2026
Departing from Brisbane at 9.05am on Qantas flight QF57 you will arrive at Jacksons Airport, Port Moresby at 12.25pm. You may be arriving in Port Moresby via another air route. The flights from Asia generally arrive early in the morning. Allow at least 3 hours to connect to the Rabaul flight later in the afternoon. After grabbing a quick lunch at the Airport and time permitting we will take a brief viewing of the outside of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, a building that blends old and new and which combines modern architecture with ancient design. Next door we will visit the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery which is the “spiritual house” for the rich natural, cultural and contemporary heritage of the country. The museum draws on well over 30,000 anthropological collections, more than 25,000 archaeological collections, more than 18,000 natural science collections, more than 20,000 war relics and more than 7000 contemporary art collections for its displays.
We will transit to Jacksons Airport for a 3.25 pm Air Niugini flight PX274 departure to Tokua Airport - Kokopo/Rabaul in East New Britain arriving at 4.50 pm. We transfer to your hotel accommodation. Before dinner enjoy a swim in the resort pool or snorkel the house reef which is home to local marine life.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 2 - Kokopo & Gazelle Peninsula - Tuesday 7th July 2026
Today we depart on a tour of the Gazelle Peninsula to observe cocoa, copra and palm oil cultivation undertaken in the rich volcanic soil, noting the area’s significant contribution to the national economy. In Kokopo we will visit the Agmark cocoa fermentary where the method of processing cocoa for export to the world’s chocolate makers is explained by the fermentary management. Kokopo, named Herbertshohe in the earliest colonial period, was from 1884 to 1910 the capital of the German New Guinea colonial empire. You will visit the historic German cemetery, the cathedral at Vunapope Catholic mission and the Kokopo Lookout. View the beachside landing site at Kabakaul from where Australian military forces advanced in 1914 to capture the German wireless station at Bita Paka. This battle was Australia’s first major military engagement of the First World War. Bita Paka War Cemetary is now the resting place of over one thousand Australian and Allied soldiers who met their fate during World War 2, when “Fortress Rabaul” became the South Pacific headquarters and staging post for the Japanese Imperial Forces. It was occupied by 100,000 Japanese soldiers. Your tour will include a visit to the Kokopo market, one of the biggest in Papua New Guinea.
Today we visit the Kokopo Museum which houses an impressive range of war relics along with an informative display of colonial, military and natural history. We enjoy a hearty Asian style lunch at the Ralum Country Club enjoying stunning ocean views over Blanche Bay. The bay is named after HMS Blanche, which surveyed the bay under the command of Captain Cortland Simpson in 1872. Standing on “Emma’s Steps” we hear stories about the achievements and exploits of Queen Emma Coe. She was a Polynesian Princess and daughter of an American sailor and Samoan mother who in the late 19th century brought commerce to East New Britain, through her savvy business sense and huge land holdings, upon which she grew an abundance of copra and cocoa. The steps are 140 years old, built in 1882 to grace Queen Emma’s famous bungalow Gunantambu. They were climbed by Governors, Ambassadors and Officers representing German Kaiser, American President and kings of England, France and other European nations along with assorted bishops and world-renowned scientists, explorers, anthropologists and adventurers. Gunantambu gatherings were famous throughout the South Seas.
We meander through the Gazelle Peninsula to reach Niugini Organics which is more than just a company—it’s a community employing over 40 local men and women and partnering with over 130 independent local growers who harvest organic coconuts from their own land, ensuring that every product we create is ethically and sustainably sourced. We will inspect the factory from where certified organic virgin coconut oil and soaps find their way onto shelves across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Papua New Guinea.
We will end day two at NARI , the National Agricultural Research Institute of Papua New Guinea's Islands Regional Centre based at Keravat on the Gazelle Peninsula and learn about the production and processing of galup nuts among other produce. This centre is the oldest research station in Papua New Guinea, with its establishment in 1928. It was popularly known and still referred today as the Lowlands Agricultural Experiment Station or LAES. It continues to conduct applied and development orientated research for the wet lowland coastal areas of the New Guinea Islands.
In the last 93 years, the centre has played a major role in the development of agriculture in the country. In particular, it has earned international recognition for its work on cocoa, a major cash crop in the lowlands of PNG. The first hybrid cocoa in the country was distributed from the seed garden at Keravat in 1982 and these hybrids predominate in both smallholder and plantation cocoa blocks throughout the country.
We return to Kokopo for the nights accommodation.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 3 - Kinavai and National Mask Festival - Wed. 8th July 2026
Gather at dawn for the Kinavai, which signifies the landing of the Tolai people in East New Britain several hundred years ago and marks the official opening of the National Mask Festival. The Kinavai represented with the arrival of the Tumbuan in their traditional masks, alighting from canoes paddled in the pre-dawn darkness . Dancing to the primal sounds of chanting and kundu drums, the revered ancestral spirits arise to welcome dancers wearing traditional masks from all over Papua New Guinea. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a refresh to then return to the festival grounds for the opening day of the Mask Festival. Among many highlights, the standouts include the Kusare warriors from Kandrian on the South coast of New Britain’s western province. From closer to home, the tall Tubuans from the Pomio district, the Tolai whip dancers along with neighbouring New Ireland’s renowned Malagan mask men all add to the colour and movement. Return to your accommodation for dinner and a rest.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 4 - Mask Festival and Bainings Fire Dance - Thurs. 9th July 2026
We return to the festival grounds this morning to enjoy a VIP viewing of the days cultural performances and returning to the hotel for lunch. Returning to the festival grounds after lunch, you will continue to enjoy a VIP viewing of the days performances.
After dinner, you will be transferred to Gaulim Village in the Bainings area. This evenings spectacular Bainings Fire Dance is performed only by men from the Bainings clans, where they immerse themselves into the flames of the fire and escape completely unharmed. This amazing ritual is not performed anywhere else in the world. One of few cultures in Papua New Guinea who do not use the Kundu drum as their rhythmic percussion instruments, the Bainings clan instead use bamboo, and the sound is just as unique as the fire dance itself. After the performance, return back to your hotel.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 5 – Rabaul's Volcanoes & War History - Warwagira Festival - Friday 10th July 2026
This morning we travel to Simpsons Harbour to enjoy spectacular views on an early morning climb of the active volcano, Mt Tavurvur. While the climb is challenging, it’s not beyond most people’s capability to reach the top. Flynn’s Tours has had an octogenarian comfortably complete the ascent. You can take in further views of Rabaul’s picturesque harbour and its six volcanoes from the Vulcanological Observatory on Tunnel Hill. An informative talk delivered by an onsite vulcanologist will enlighten you of the workings of volcanoes, lava, magma and related geological, geophysical and geochemical phenomena. The Rabaul caldera was created about 1400 years ago with an explosion which erupted 11 cubic kilometres of rock. This massive outpouring of gas, lava, rocks and ash produced the largest volcanic dry fog in recorded history. A mysterious cloud that blocked sunlight for 12 to 18 months over Europe, China and the Middle East in 536 AD is linked to this mighty eruption. You will tour the area of current volcano activity and clamber around Mount Tavurvur. See the hot springs, sulphurous steam points and the megapode egg hunters who burrow metres into the black sand emerging with the prized eggs. Megapodes do not incubate their eggs with their body heat as other birds do, but bury them. Their eggs are unique in having a large yolk, making up 50-70% of the egg weight. The birds here are burrow-nesters which use geothermal heat. Some species vary their incubation strategy, such as building mounds to bury them in, depending on the local environment. We travel around the remains of old Rabaul town (including its airport) which resembles a lunar landscape, following its burial in volcanic ash during the dramatic eruptions of 1994. Prior to the burial of Rabaul town it was revered as “the Pearl of the South Pacific”. East New Britain’s commercial hub has been re-established in a modernised Kokopo over the past 30 years. Rabaul was also badly damaged during an earlier eruption on 6 June 1937, five years before the occupation by Japanese military. We visit Matupit Island whose people and settlement survived the worst of the 1994 volcanic eruption despite their location immediately beneath it. Visit old Rabaul Township and see the resulting destruction caused by the 1994 volcanic explosions. Discover the pre-European settlement history and recent colonial occupations by German, Japanese and Australian administrations at the New Guinea Club and Rabaul Historical Display. Explore the Japanese military command bunker of Admiral Yamamoto where maps of the surrounding area are etched into the bunkers ceiling at head height. We travel back through Rabaul where we will visit the underground Japanese Hospital tunnels dating from World War Two and the tranquil memorial gardens at the Chinese cemetery where your tour leader, John Gannan, will explain aspects of the historically long association the Chinese have had with East New Britain, along with the many other people and cultures that have shaped this part of New Britain Island. We climb around the large barges of the Japanese Imperial forces that are still housed in even larger tunnels hewn into the soft volcanic cliff faces on the shores of Blanche Bay. We return along the beautiful coastal road to our Kokopo.
We return to the Festival grounds after lunch to appreciate an array of musical genres performed by talented locals - all part of the Warwagira Musical component held on the third day of the Festival Before dinner enjoy a swim in the resort pool or snorkel the house reef which is home to local marine life.
Day 6 - Duke of York Islands , St Georges Channel - Sat. 11th July 2026
This morning we travel by boat across the St. Georges Channel to the Duke of York Islands and their picturesque lagoons. This idyllic paradise is made up of a dozen or so islands set among a mesmerizingly, forever changing backdrop of colourful tropical landscapes. The natural beauty is interspersed with scenes of village life as the happy villagers go about living beside the tranquil waters they share with an abundance of marine life.
We will visit Kabakon “the garden” Island and the aclaimed " Pang Pang Paradise " Island. The natural beauty is interspersed with the scenes of happy villagers on Karrawara Island who go about living beside the tranquil waters they share with an abundance of marine life. Be enthralled with the playful dolphins and mysterious dugongs.
In 1902, the 25-year-old German health reformer, August Engelhardt, who practiced sun worship and a strict coconut diet, retreated from Bavarian university life to Kabakon Island in the Duke of York Islands, which he purchased from his mother country with an inheritance. The first few years were idyllic. Engelhardt established a coconut plantation and called his followers to join him in this brave new world. They called themselves Sonnenorden and practised sun worship and nudity and lived off coconuts. But it didn’t last. Learn out why!
We make our way from the islands by boat to the mainland at Kokopo Enjoying lunch and a freshen
The welcoming host of Corey’s Eco Sea Lodge will ensure that you lunch on plentiful amounts of delicious and freshly harvested fruit, vegetables and fish. For lunch today we will taste Aigir, a traditional cuisine of the Tolai people of East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea. It's been a main dish for generations of the Tolai people and is prepared on special occasions and family gatherings. The method of cooking Aigir which is made by heating hot stones to boil liquid coconut and pure coconut will be demonstrated. The dish is widely accepted as one of the finest dishes. Aigir works by heating the liquid with hot stones. To make Tolai aigir, you peel kaukau and bananas, cut them in half, and add aibika, salt, sliced onion, and tomatoes to heated coconut oil. Aigir is consumed with meats prepared in the traditional method of cooking known as Mumu which is regarded as the national dish of Papua New Guinea. It is composed of pork or chicken, sweet potato, taro, plantains, with leafy vegetables. Mumu is an example of a balanced dish composed of the two bases, crops (including starch) and meat. The dish is named after the earth oven used to cook it and its cooking will also be demonstrated.
After lunch we make our way from the islands by boat back to the mainland resort to freshen up before transiting to Tokua Airport for the late afternoon one hour flight to Kavieng Airport on the island province of New Ireland. We transit from the Airport to your accommodation to rest for the night and enjoy dinner.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 7 – Options A or B – Sunday 12th July 2026
OPTION A - For participants ending their tour with a flight from Tokua Airport / Rabaul to Port Moresby for same day or Monday 14th July international departures from Port Moresby :
Enjoy a scenic Drive to Tokua Airport for a Sunday afternoon departure on PNG Air CG8823 - 2.20 pm flight from Tokua Airport to Port Moresby arriving at 4.30 pm to transfer to international departures or transit to the Sanctuary Hotel accommodation to stay overnight for flight departures on Day 8 on Monday July 13th 2026.
OPTION A Accommodation : Sanctuary Hotel for Monday Departures
B , L , D and Breakfast on Day 8 if required
OPTION B - New Ireland Extension Participants - Sunday 12th July 2026
- New Britain's History, Customs & Foods Immersement
This morning we travel along the coconut fringed shoreline coastal road towards Rabaul Town and visit the Raluana Uniting Church to hear the truly uplifting sounds of the churches nationally recognised church choir. Papua New Guinea's church songs vary by denomination, with styles ranging from traditional hymns in English and local languages to contemporary gospel music. They are well worth listening to. Departing the church we pass the intriguing Vulcan volcano , learning of it's abrupt formation during the explosive eruption in the Rabaul Caldera in 1878. It was built from a series of eruptions that occurred after the larger caldera-forming event, creating a cone of basaltic-to-dacitic pyroclastic material on the caldera floor near the western wall. The 1878 eruption built the cone to its current state, and Vulcan, along with the nearby Tavurvur, has had major explosive activity during historical times, including a simultaneous eruption in 1994.
We now take the Top Road from Rabaul, stopping briefly at the Catholic church at Rakunai, the resting place of Saint Peter To Rot (pictured on the left hand side of this text). Pope St. John Paul II declared Peter To Rot Blessed, in 1995, as the first Martyr of Papua New Guinea, as a new figure of holiness as a layman a husband, father, teacher, and catechist. Pope Francis approved his canonization on March 31, 2025, and he was canonized on 19th October 2025 by Pope Leo XIV and be formally recognised as the first saint from Papua New Guinea. The Japanese invasion of the island in 1942 posed a significant threat to the New Guinea Church. To Rot, entrusted with continuing the work of a departing missionary, defied Japanese attempts to undermine Church teachings, particularly regarding marriage. Despite the risk, he organized secret religious gatherings and resisted the re-introduction of legal polygamy by the Japanese, staunchly defending monogamy. His steadfastness led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom in July 1945, underscoring his commitment to the faith and the sanctity of Christian marriage.
Today we will have the customary shell money concept explained in detail with an opportunity to make your own string of shell money. Early missionaries and travellers to New Britain found it to be the only area in the Pacific region they had come across where the locals had a true money currency of a standard value. The Europeans were intrigued by the local monetary system and the way in which Tambu was intricately woven into the very texture of social life. It still plays its role in Tolai society today, maintaining its cultural significance, particularly as part of the bride price or gift giving to the father of the would be bride. It is exchanged to mark births, marriages and deaths. The standard unit of currency is the 'pokono' or fathom (a grown man's arm span). Be fascinated by stories from the Tubuan Society of the local Tolai people who have strict laws and taboos. Learn of the Ingiet stone carvings associated with the powerful Ingiet sorcerers and the secret men’s society, outlawed by the German administration in 1905.
It was from Wesleyan Methodist Mission in Fiji that the first mission team were sent to New Britain Island in 1875. Fijian missionaries proselytization legacy and martyrdom is today honored in Kabakada village. A memorial monument was erected on top of the buried remains of the four slain martyrs on Vunela hilltop on 15 August 1975, the one hundredth year anniversary of the arrival of the Fijian missionaries in the New Guinea islands. The burial site now known as the Fijian Cemetery holds 41 graves which are now part of the Vunela historical tourism site. Six married, and three single, men were chosen to work under the supervision of Reverand George Brown, an experienced missionary, who had served in Samoa. Within three years, most of them were dead. A powerful New Britain pagan chief massacred three of them, and some died of malaria. But, there was no shortage of Fijians, who were ready to take their place.
FLY TO NEW IRELAND
before transiting to Tokua Airport for the late afternoon one hour flight to Kavieng Airport on the island province of New Ireland. We transit from the Airport to your accommodation to rest for the night and enjoy dinner.
Day 18 – Wed. 30th Sept. - Discover New Ireland
Following breakfast we take a drive around this laid back town of Kavieng that is the regional headquarters for New Ireland Province. Heading down the Boluminski Highway we visit the village of Laraibina, famous for it's Eels, a unique species of freshwater eels found in the rivers and streams of the New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea. These eels possess a distinct pattern of vibrant colors, including shades of blue, green, and yellow, which make them visually striking. They are known for their elusive nature and are considered an important cultural symbol in the region, representing strength and resilience in local folklore and traditions.
We will visit the Malagan Mask Gallery in the village of Langenia where master carver, Fabian Paino works with his team of carvers. We may be lucky enough to view a performance by the Tatanua Dance Group. Malagan is an art where the dead are remembered through the various depictions that are carved on Malagan masks. The Malagan masks have a symbolic meaning as the dead must be remembered through the masks and ceremonies.
The most famous cultural system of New Ireland is "Malagan", a Nalik word for an ancient and revered set of practices and ceremonies practised throughout much of the main island. During the colonial era, significant quantities of Malagan masks were collected by European administrators and can be seen in museums all over Europe.
We travel further along the scenic coastline until we arrive at Dalum Village which has a beautifull river running through it spilling onto an equally beautiful beach.
We will enjoy lunch here and a quick swim in the river floating on rubber tubes.
We will then make our way past the scenic Pam Waterfall before arriving at at Rubio Plantation Retreat , a surf retreat (in season) in an idyllic location on the Beach with accommodation located right on the beach and an over the water decking to enjoy your lunch on.
Did you know?
The Mask Festival is the only festival of its kind in Papua New Guinea. Together with their amazing costumes, groups from all across the islands gather in the coastal town of Kokopo to showcase their elaborate ancestral and spirit masks whilst performing ritual dances, each style forging the unique cultural identity of a tribe.
Witness the 'Kinavai' opening ceremony at dawn, as the arrival of ancestral spirits are welcomed to chants and the beating of kundu drums by elders and initiated young men on canoes.
Experience the spectacular Baining Fire Dance from the Tolai’s of the mainland of East New Britain Province, where in this night-time traditional dance, initiated young men perform harrowing dances through blazing fires amidst evocative chanting by their elders. Join us as we experience one of the most fascinating festivals Papua New Guinea has to offer.
In 1902, the 25-year-old German health reformer, August Engelhardt, who practiced sun worship and a strict coconut diet, retreated from Bavarian university life to Kabakon Island in the Duke of York Islands, which he purchased from his mother country with an inheritance. The first few years were idyllic. Engelhardt established a coconut plantation and called his followers to join him in this brave new world. They called themselves Sonnenorden and practised sun worship and nudity and lived off coconuts. But it didn’t last. The alien living conditions took their toll and several died. Others turned their back on him. Engelhardt, known by the local islanders as Mr Coconut, was eventually left alone, gripped by malaria and went insane. He died on the island aged 46 in 1919.
Queen Emma Coe was a Polynesian Princess and daughter of an American sailor and Samoan mother who in the late 19th century brought commerce to East New Britain, through her savvy business sense and huge land holdings, upon which she grew an abundance of copra and cocoa. The steps are 140 years old, built in 1882 to grace Queen Emma’s famous bungalow Gunantambu. They were climbed by Governors, Ambassadors and Officers representing German Kaiser, American President and kings of England, France and other European nations along with assorted bishops and world-renowned scientists, explorers, anthropologists and adventurers. Gunantambu gatherings were famous throughout the South Seas.
The Tubuan Society of the local Tolai people who have strict laws and taboos.
Learn of the Ingiet stone carvings associated with the powerful Ingiet sorcerers and the secret men’s society, outlawed by the German administration in 1905. Early missionaries and travellers to New Britain found it to be the only area in the Pacific region they had come across where the locals had a true money currency of a standard value. The Europeans were intrigued by the local monetary system and the way in which Tambu was intricately woven into the very texture of social life. It still plays its role in Tolai society today, maintaining its cultural significance, particularly as part of the bride price or gift giving to the father of the would be bride.
The Rabaul Caldera was created about 1400 years ago with an explosion which erupted 11 cubic kilometres of rock. This massive outpouring of gas, lava, rocks and ash produced the largest volcanic dry fog in recorded history. A mysterious cloud that blocked sunlight for 12 to 18 months over Europe, China and the Middle East in 536 AD is linked to this mighty eruption.
The Marquis de Ray, whose real name was Charles Guillain, was a French adventurer who attempted to establish a colony in the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea in the late 19th century.
Born in France in 1825, de Ray harbored ambitions of founding a utopian settlement in the Pacific.In 1878, de Ray acquired a large tract of land in New Ireland, which he named "Franceville." He proclaimed himself the Marquis de Ray and began recruiting French settlers to join his colony. Promising fertile land and a prosperous future, de Ray managed to attract around 200 individuals to embark on this venture.
However, the expedition turned into a disaster. The settlers faced numerous hardships, including disease, scarcity of resources, and conflicts with local indigenous populations. The dream of a flourishing French colony quickly crumbled, and de Ray's leadership was called into question.
As conditions worsened, some settlers managed to escape the island, and others perished. Eventually, de Ray was arrested and brought back to France to face charges of fraud and deception. He was sentenced to imprisonment and died in 1895.
The ill-fated endeavor of the Marquis de Ray in New Ireland Province serves as a cautionary tale of colonial ambitions gone awry. It highlights the challenges and complexities involved in establishing new settlements in unfamiliar territories, particularly when undertaken without adequate planning, resources, and respect for the local population
Day 8 & 9 – New Ireland - Scenically Spectacular
Monday 14th & Tuesday 15th July 2025
This morning we depart from Rabaul on a comfortably fitted out motor boat for a safe journey across the St. Georges Channel offering a different view of Rabaul’s volcanoes and also the Duke of York Islands. We arrive on the western coast of New Ireland near the settlement of Namatanai which is on the opposing side of the island province, a few kilometres away.
We arrive for lunch at the well appointed Kokola Rainforest Beach Resort. Located right on the beach front, the resort is surrounded by incredible virgin rainforest, a cacao plantation and the second largest coconut plantation in Papua New Guinea. The property includes 8 beautiful bays over 10.8km of water frontage. Fringed by gorgeous mountains, with waterfalls and rivers running down to the coast. Freshwater springs, incredible birdlife and stunning beaches. There is so much to explore here!! Kokola is a magical place for rest & relaxation, or head out on a trek through this large property to climb mountains and cool off under waterfalls. Kokola is a great place for birdwatching, snorkelling and jungle hiking. As the retreat is part of a large coconut plantation, you can see and experience first hand all the processes of the copra industry in Papua New Guinea. The property also has its own vegetable & fruit gardens, and grows its own herbs & spices, as well as chickens.
Day 8 & 9 - Kokola Rainforest Beach Resort - New Ireland B , L , D
Day 10– Culture & Natural Beauty - Wed 16th July 2025
Day By Day Itinerary includes New Ireland Extension
Day 1 - Kokopo - East New Britain - Monday 6th July 2026
Departing from Brisbane at 9.05am on Qantas flight QF57 you will arrive at Jacksons Airport, Port Moresby at 12.25pm. You may be arriving in Port Moresby via another air route. The flights from Asia generally arrive early in the morning. Allow at least 3 hours to connect to the Rabaul flight later in the afternoon. After grabbing a quick lunch at the Airport and time permitting we will take a brief viewing of the outside of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, a building that blends old and new and which combines modern architecture with ancient design. Next door we will visit the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery which is the “spiritual house” for the rich natural, cultural and contemporary heritage of the country. The museum draws on well over 30,000 anthropological collections, more than 25,000 archaeological collections, more than 18,000 natural science collections, more than 20,000 war relics and more than 7000 contemporary art collections for its displays.
We will transit to Jacksons Airport for a 3.25 pm Air Niugini flight PX274 departure to Tokua Airport - Kokopo/Rabaul in East New Britain arriving at 4.50 pm. We transfer to your hotel accommodation. Before dinner enjoy a swim in the resort pool or snorkel the house reef which is home to local marine life.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 2 - Kokopo & Gazelle Peninsula - Tuesday 7th July 2026
Today we depart on a tour of the Gazelle Peninsula to observe cocoa, copra and palm oil cultivation undertaken in the rich volcanic soil, noting the area’s significant contribution to the national economy. In Kokopo we will visit the Agmark cocoa fermentary where the method of processing cocoa for export to the world’s chocolate makers is explained by the fermentary management. Kokopo, named Herbertshohe in the earliest colonial period, was from 1884 to 1910 the capital of the German New Guinea colonial empire. You will visit the historic German cemetery, the cathedral at Vunapope Catholic mission and the Kokopo Lookout. View the beachside landing site at Kabakaul from where Australian military forces advanced in 1914 to capture the German wireless station at Bita Paka. This battle was Australia’s first major military engagement of the First World War. Bita Paka War Cemetary is now the resting place of over one thousand Australian and Allied soldiers who met their fate during World War 2, when “Fortress Rabaul” became the South Pacific headquarters and staging post for the Japanese Imperial Forces. It was occupied by 100,000 Japanese soldiers. Your tour will include a visit to the Kokopo market, one of the biggest in Papua New Guinea.
Today we visit the Kokopo Museum which houses an impressive range of war relics along with an informative display of colonial, military and natural history. We enjoy a hearty Asian style lunch at the Ralum Country Club enjoying stunning ocean views over Blanche Bay. The bay is named after HMS Blanche, which surveyed the bay under the command of Captain Cortland Simpson in 1872. Standing on “Emma’s Steps” we hear stories about the achievements and exploits of Queen Emma Coe. She was a Polynesian Princess and daughter of an American sailor and Samoan mother who in the late 19th century brought commerce to East New Britain, through her savvy business sense and huge land holdings, upon which she grew an abundance of copra and cocoa. The steps are 140 years old, built in 1882 to grace Queen Emma’s famous bungalow Gunantambu. They were climbed by Governors, Ambassadors and Officers representing German Kaiser, American President and kings of England, France and other European nations along with assorted bishops and world-renowned scientists, explorers, anthropologists and adventurers. Gunantambu gatherings were famous throughout the South Seas.
We meander through the Gazelle Peninsula to reach Niugini Organics which is more than just a company—it’s a community employing over 40 local men and women and partnering with over 130 independent local growers who harvest organic coconuts from their own land, ensuring that every product we create is ethically and sustainably sourced. We will inspect the factory from where certified organic virgin coconut oil and soaps find their way onto shelves across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Papua New Guinea.
We will end day two at NARI , the National Agricultural Research Institute of Papua New Guinea's Islands Regional Centre based at Keravat on the Gazelle Peninsula and learn about the production and processing of galup nuts among other produce. This centre is the oldest research station in Papua New Guinea, with its establishment in 1928. It was popularly known and still referred today as the Lowlands Agricultural Experiment Station or LAES. It continues to conduct applied and development orientated research for the wet lowland coastal areas of the New Guinea Islands.
In the last 93 years, the centre has played a major role in the development of agriculture in the country. In particular, it has earned international recognition for its work on cocoa, a major cash crop in the lowlands of PNG. The first hybrid cocoa in the country was distributed from the seed garden at Keravat in 1982 and these hybrids predominate in both smallholder and plantation cocoa blocks throughout the country.
We return to Kokopo for the nights accommodation.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 3 - Kinavai and National Mask Festival - Wed. 8th July 2026
Gather at dawn for the Kinavai, which signifies the landing of the Tolai people in East New Britain several hundred years ago and marks the official opening of the National Mask Festival. The Kinavai represented with the arrival of the Tumbuan in their traditional masks, alighting from canoes paddled in the pre-dawn darkness . Dancing to the primal sounds of chanting and kundu drums, the revered ancestral spirits arise to welcome dancers wearing traditional masks from all over Papua New Guinea. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a refresh to then return to the festival grounds for the opening day of the Mask Festival. Among many highlights, the standouts include the Kusare warriors from Kandrian on the South coast of New Britain’s western province. From closer to home, the tall Tubuans from the Pomio district, the Tolai whip dancers along with neighbouring New Ireland’s renowned Malagan mask men all add to the colour and movement. Return to your accommodation for dinner and a rest.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 4 - Mask Festival and Bainings Fire Dance - Thurs. 9th July 2026
We return to the festival grounds this morning to enjoy a VIP viewing of the days cultural performances and returning to the hotel for lunch. Returning to the festival grounds after lunch, you will continue to enjoy a VIP viewing of the days performances.
After dinner, you will be transferred to Gaulim Village in the Bainings area. This evenings spectacular Bainings Fire Dance is performed only by men from the Bainings clans, where they immerse themselves into the flames of the fire and escape completely unharmed. This amazing ritual is not performed anywhere else in the world. One of few cultures in Papua New Guinea who do not use the Kundu drum as their rhythmic percussion instruments, the Bainings clan instead use bamboo, and the sound is just as unique as the fire dance itself. After the performance, return back to your hotel.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 5 – Rabaul's Volcanoes & War History - Warwagira Festival - Friday 10th July 2026
This morning we travel to Simpsons Harbour to enjoy spectacular views on an early morning climb of the active volcano, Mt Tavurvur. While the climb is challenging, it’s not beyond most people’s capability to reach the top. Flynn’s Tours has had an octogenarian comfortably complete the ascent. You can take in further views of Rabaul’s picturesque harbour and its six volcanoes from the Vulcanological Observatory on Tunnel Hill. An informative talk delivered by an onsite vulcanologist will enlighten you of the workings of volcanoes, lava, magma and related geological, geophysical and geochemical phenomena. The Rabaul caldera was created about 1400 years ago with an explosion which erupted 11 cubic kilometres of rock. This massive outpouring of gas, lava, rocks and ash produced the largest volcanic dry fog in recorded history. A mysterious cloud that blocked sunlight for 12 to 18 months over Europe, China and the Middle East in 536 AD is linked to this mighty eruption. You will tour the area of current volcano activity and clamber around Mount Tavurvur. See the hot springs, sulphurous steam points and the megapode egg hunters who burrow metres into the black sand emerging with the prized eggs. Megapodes do not incubate their eggs with their body heat as other birds do, but bury them. Their eggs are unique in having a large yolk, making up 50-70% of the egg weight. The birds here are burrow-nesters which use geothermal heat. Some species vary their incubation strategy, such as building mounds to bury them in, depending on the local environment. We travel around the remains of old Rabaul town (including its airport) which resembles a lunar landscape, following its burial in volcanic ash during the dramatic eruptions of 1994. Prior to the burial of Rabaul town it was revered as “the Pearl of the South Pacific”. East New Britain’s commercial hub has been re-established in a modernised Kokopo over the past 30 years. Rabaul was also badly damaged during an earlier eruption on 6 June 1937, five years before the occupation by Japanese military. We visit Matupit Island whose people and settlement survived the worst of the 1994 volcanic eruption despite their location immediately beneath it. Visit old Rabaul Township and see the resulting destruction caused by the 1994 volcanic explosions. Discover the pre-European settlement history and recent colonial occupations by German, Japanese and Australian administrations at the New Guinea Club and Rabaul Historical Display. Explore the Japanese military command bunker of Admiral Yamamoto where maps of the surrounding area are etched into the bunkers ceiling at head height. We travel back through Rabaul where we will visit the underground Japanese Hospital tunnels dating from World War Two and the tranquil memorial gardens at the Chinese cemetery where your tour leader, John Gannan, will explain aspects of the historically long association the Chinese have had with East New Britain, along with the many other people and cultures that have shaped this part of New Britain Island. We climb around the large barges of the Japanese Imperial forces that are still housed in even larger tunnels hewn into the soft volcanic cliff faces on the shores of Blanche Bay. We return along the beautiful coastal road to our Kokopo.
We return to the Festival grounds after lunch to appreciate an array of musical genres performed by talented locals - all part of the Warwagira Musical component held on the third day of the Festival Before dinner enjoy a swim in the resort pool or snorkel the house reef which is home to local marine life.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 6 - Duke of York Islands , St Georges Channel - Sat. 11th July 2026
This morning we travel by boat across the St. Georges Channel to the Duke of York Islands and their picturesque lagoons. This idyllic paradise is made up of a dozen or so islands set among a mesmerizingly, forever changing backdrop of colourful tropical landscapes. The natural beauty is interspersed with scenes of village life as the happy villagers go about living beside the tranquil waters they share with an abundance of marine life.
We will visit Kabakon “the garden” Island and the aclaimed " Pang Pang Paradise " Island. The natural beauty is interspersed with the scenes of happy villagers on Karrawara Island who go about living beside the tranquil waters they share with an abundance of marine life. Be enthralled with the playful dolphins and mysterious dugongs.
In 1902, the 25-year-old German health reformer, August Engelhardt, who practiced sun worship and a strict coconut diet, retreated from Bavarian university life to Kabakon Island in the Duke of York Islands, which he purchased from his mother country with an inheritance. The first few years were idyllic. Engelhardt established a coconut plantation and called his followers to join him in this brave new world. They called themselves Sonnenorden and practised sun worship and nudity and lived off coconuts. But it didn’t last. Learn out why!
We make our way from the islands by boat to the mainland at Kokopo Enjoying lunch and a freshen
The welcoming host of Corey’s Eco Sea Lodge will ensure that you lunch on plentiful amounts of delicious and freshly harvested fruit, vegetables and fish. For lunch today we will taste Aigir, a traditional cuisine of the Tolai people of East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea. It's been a main dish for generations of the Tolai people and is prepared on special occasions and family gatherings. The method of cooking Aigir which is made by heating hot stones to boil liquid coconut and pure coconut will be demonstrated. The dish is widely accepted as one of the finest dishes. Aigir works by heating the liquid with hot stones. To make Tolai aigir, you peel kaukau and bananas, cut them in half, and add aibika, salt, sliced onion, and tomatoes to heated coconut oil. Aigir is consumed with meats prepared in the traditional method of cooking known as Mumu which is regarded as the national dish of Papua New Guinea. It is composed of pork or chicken, sweet potato, taro, plantains, with leafy vegetables. Mumu is an example of a balanced dish composed of the two bases, crops (including starch) and meat. The dish is named after the earth oven used to cook it and its cooking will also be demonstrated.
After lunch we make our way from the islands by boat back to the mainland resort to freshen up before transiting to Tokua Airport for the late afternoon one hour flight to Kavieng Airport on the island province of New Ireland. We transit from the Airport to your accommodation to rest for the night and enjoy dinner.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 7 – Options A or B – Sunday 12th July 2026
OPTION A - For participants ending their tour with a flight from Tokua Airport / Rabaul to Port Moresby for same day or Monday 14th July international departures from Port Moresby :
Enjoy a scenic Drive to Tokua Airport for a Sunday afternoon departure on PNG Air CG8823 - 2.20 pm flight from Tokua Airport to Port Moresby arriving at 4.30 pm to transfer to international departures or transit to the Sanctuary Hotel accommodation to stay overnight for flight departures on Day 8 on Monday July 13th 2026.
OPTION A Accommodation : Sanctuary Hotel for Monday Departures
B , L , D and Breakfast on Day 8 if required
OPTION B - New Ireland Extension Participants - Sunday 12th July 2026
- New Britain's History, Customs & Foods Immersement
This morning we travel along the coconut fringed shoreline coastal road towards Rabaul Town and visit the Raluana Uniting Church to hear the truly uplifting sounds of the churches nationally recognised church choir. Papua New Guinea's church songs vary by denomination, with styles ranging from traditional hymns in English and local languages to contemporary gospel music. They are well worth listening to. Departing the church we pass the intriguing Vulcan volcano , learning of it's abrupt formation during the explosive eruption in the Rabaul Caldera in 1878. It was built from a series of eruptions that occurred after the larger caldera-forming event, creating a cone of basaltic-to-dacitic pyroclastic material on the caldera floor near the western wall. The 1878 eruption built the cone to its current state, and Vulcan, along with the nearby Tavurvur, has had major explosive activity during historical times, including a simultaneous eruption in 1994.
We now take the Top Road from Rabaul, stopping briefly at the Catholic church at Rakunai, the resting place of Saint Peter To Rot (pictured on the left hand side of this text). Pope St. John Paul II declared Peter To Rot Blessed, in 1995, as the first Martyr of Papua New Guinea, as a new figure of holiness as a layman a husband, father, teacher, and catechist. Pope Francis approved his canonization on March 31, 2025, and he was canonized on 19th October 2025 by Pope Leo XIV and be formally recognised as the first saint from Papua New Guinea. The Japanese invasion of the island in 1942 posed a significant threat to the New Guinea Church. To Rot, entrusted with continuing the work of a departing missionary, defied Japanese attempts to undermine Church teachings, particularly regarding marriage. Despite the risk, he organized secret religious gatherings and resisted the re-introduction of legal polygamy by the Japanese, staunchly defending monogamy. His steadfastness led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom in July 1945, underscoring his commitment to the faith and the sanctity of Christian marriage.
Today we will have the customary shell money concept explained in detail with an opportunity to make your own string of shell money. Early missionaries and travellers to New Britain found it to be the only area in the Pacific region they had come across where the locals had a true money currency of a standard value. The Europeans were intrigued by the local monetary system and the way in which Tambu was intricately woven into the very texture of social life. It still plays its role in Tolai society today, maintaining its cultural significance, particularly as part of the bride price or gift giving to the father of the would be bride. It is exchanged to mark births, marriages and deaths. The standard unit of currency is the 'pokono' or fathom (a grown man's arm span). Be fascinated by stories from the Tubuan Society of the local Tolai people who have strict laws and taboos. Learn of the Ingiet stone carvings associated with the powerful Ingiet sorcerers and the secret men’s society, outlawed by the German administration in 1905.
It was from Wesleyan Methodist Mission in Fiji that the first mission team were sent to New Britain Island in 1875. Fijian missionaries proselytization legacy and martyrdom is today honored in Kabakada village. A memorial monument was erected on top of the buried remains of the four slain martyrs on Vunela hilltop on 15 August 1975, the one hundredth year anniversary of the arrival of the Fijian missionaries in the New Guinea islands. The burial site now known as the Fijian Cemetery holds 41 graves which are now part of the Vunela historical tourism site. Six married, and three single, men were chosen to work under the supervision of Reverand George Brown, an experienced missionary, who had served in Samoa. Within three years, most of them were dead. A powerful New Britain pagan chief massacred three of them, and some died of malaria. But, there was no shortage of Fijians, who were ready to take their place.
FLY TO NEW IRELAND
before transiting to Tokua Airport for the late afternoon one hour flight to Kavieng Airport on the island province of New Ireland. We transit from the Airport to your accommodation to rest for the night and enjoy dinner.
Day 18 – Wed. 30th Sept. - Discover New Ireland
Following breakfast we take a drive around this laid back town of Kavieng that is the regional headquarters for New Ireland Province. Heading down the Boluminski Highway we visit the village of Laraibina, famous for it's Eels, a unique species of freshwater eels found in the rivers and streams of the New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea. These eels possess a distinct pattern of vibrant colors, including shades of blue, green, and yellow, which make them visually striking. They are known for their elusive nature and are considered an important cultural symbol in the region, representing strength and resilience in local folklore and traditions.
We will visit the Malagan Mask Gallery in the village of Langenia where master carver, Fabian Paino works with his team of carvers. We may be lucky enough to view a performance by the Tatanua Dance Group. Malagan is an art where the dead are remembered through the various depictions that are carved on Malagan masks. The Malagan masks have a symbolic meaning as the dead must be remembered through the masks and ceremonies.
The most famous cultural system of New Ireland is "Malagan", a Nalik word for an ancient and revered set of practices and ceremonies practised throughout much of the main island. During the colonial era, significant quantities of Malagan masks were collected by European administrators and can be seen in museums all over Europe.
We travel further along the scenic coastline until we arrive at Dalum Village which has a beautifull river running through it spilling onto an equally beautiful beach.
We will enjoy lunch here and a quick swim in the river floating on rubber tubes.
We will then make our way past the scenic Pam Waterfall before arriving at at Rubio Plantation Retreat , a surf retreat (in season) in an idyllic location on the Beach with accommodation located right on the beach and an over the water decking to enjoy your lunch on.
Did you know?
The Mask Festival is the only festival of its kind in Papua New Guinea. Together with their amazing costumes, groups from all across the islands gather in the coastal town of Kokopo to showcase their elaborate ancestral and spirit masks whilst performing ritual dances, each style forging the unique cultural identity of a tribe.
Witness the 'Kinavai' opening ceremony at dawn, as the arrival of ancestral spirits are welcomed to chants and the beating of kundu drums by elders and initiated young men on canoes.
Experience the spectacular Baining Fire Dance from the Tolai’s of the mainland of East New Britain Province, where in this night-time traditional dance, initiated young men perform harrowing dances through blazing fires amidst evocative chanting by their elders. Join us as we experience one of the most fascinating festivals Papua New Guinea has to offer.
In 1902, the 25-year-old German health reformer, August Engelhardt, who practiced sun worship and a strict coconut diet, retreated from Bavarian university life to Kabakon Island in the Duke of York Islands, which he purchased from his mother country with an inheritance. The first few years were idyllic. Engelhardt established a coconut plantation and called his followers to join him in this brave new world. They called themselves Sonnenorden and practised sun worship and nudity and lived off coconuts. But it didn’t last. The alien living conditions took their toll and several died. Others turned their back on him. Engelhardt, known by the local islanders as Mr Coconut, was eventually left alone, gripped by malaria and went insane. He died on the island aged 46 in 1919.
Queen Emma Coe was a Polynesian Princess and daughter of an American sailor and Samoan mother who in the late 19th century brought commerce to East New Britain, through her savvy business sense and huge land holdings, upon which she grew an abundance of copra and cocoa. The steps are 140 years old, built in 1882 to grace Queen Emma’s famous bungalow Gunantambu. They were climbed by Governors, Ambassadors and Officers representing German Kaiser, American President and kings of England, France and other European nations along with assorted bishops and world-renowned scientists, explorers, anthropologists and adventurers. Gunantambu gatherings were famous throughout the South Seas.
The Tubuan Society of the local Tolai people who have strict laws and taboos.
Learn of the Ingiet stone carvings associated with the powerful Ingiet sorcerers and the secret men’s society, outlawed by the German administration in 1905. Early missionaries and travellers to New Britain found it to be the only area in the Pacific region they had come across where the locals had a true money currency of a standard value. The Europeans were intrigued by the local monetary system and the way in which Tambu was intricately woven into the very texture of social life. It still plays its role in Tolai society today, maintaining its cultural significance, particularly as part of the bride price or gift giving to the father of the would be bride.
The Rabaul Caldera was created about 1400 years ago with an explosion which erupted 11 cubic kilometres of rock. This massive outpouring of gas, lava, rocks and ash produced the largest volcanic dry fog in recorded history. A mysterious cloud that blocked sunlight for 12 to 18 months over Europe, China and the Middle East in 536 AD is linked to this mighty eruption.
The Marquis de Ray, whose real name was Charles Guillain, was a French adventurer who attempted to establish a colony in the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea in the late 19th century.
Born in France in 1825, de Ray harbored ambitions of founding a utopian settlement in the Pacific.In 1878, de Ray acquired a large tract of land in New Ireland, which he named "Franceville." He proclaimed himself the Marquis de Ray and began recruiting French settlers to join his colony. Promising fertile land and a prosperous future, de Ray managed to attract around 200 individuals to embark on this venture.
However, the expedition turned into a disaster. The settlers faced numerous hardships, including disease, scarcity of resources, and conflicts with local indigenous populations. The dream of a flourishing French colony quickly crumbled, and de Ray's leadership was called into question.
As conditions worsened, some settlers managed to escape the island, and others perished. Eventually, de Ray was arrested and brought back to France to face charges of fraud and deception. He was sentenced to imprisonment and died in 1895.
The ill-fated endeavor of the Marquis de Ray in New Ireland Province serves as a cautionary tale of colonial ambitions gone awry. It highlights the challenges and complexities involved in establishing new settlements in unfamiliar territories, particularly when undertaken without adequate planning, resources, and respect for the local population
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 8 & 9 – New Ireland - Scenically Spectacular
Monday 14th & Tuesday 15th July 2025
This morning we depart from Rabaul on a comfortably fitted out motor boat for a safe journey across the St. Georges Channel offering a different view of Rabaul’s volcanoes and also the Duke of York Islands. We arrive on the western coast of New Ireland near the settlement of Namatanai which is on the opposing side of the island province, a few kilometres away.
We arrive for lunch at the well appointed Kokola Rainforest Beach Resort. Located right on the beach front, the resort is surrounded by incredible virgin rainforest, a cacao plantation and the second largest coconut plantation in Papua New Guinea. The property includes 8 beautiful bays over 10.8km of water frontage. Fringed by gorgeous mountains, with waterfalls and rivers running down to the coast. Freshwater springs, incredible birdlife and stunning beaches. There is so much to explore here!! Kokola is a magical place for rest & relaxation, or head out on a trek through this large property to climb mountains and cool off under waterfalls. Kokola is a great place for birdwatching, snorkelling and jungle hiking. As the retreat is part of a large coconut plantation, you can see and experience first hand all the processes of the copra industry in Papua New Guinea. The property also has its own vegetable & fruit gardens, and grows its own herbs & spices, as well as chickens.
Day 8 & 9 - Kokola Rainforest Beach Resort - New Ireland B , L , D
Day 10– Culture & Natural Beauty - Wed 16th July 2025
Day By Day Itinerary includes New Ireland Extension
Day 1 - Kokopo - East New Britain - Monday 6th July 2026
Departing from Brisbane at 9.05am on Qantas flight QF57 you will arrive at Jacksons Airport, Port Moresby at 12.25pm. You may be arriving in Port Moresby via another air route. The flights from Asia generally arrive early in the morning. Allow at least 3 hours to connect to the Rabaul flight later in the afternoon. After grabbing a quick lunch at the Airport and time permitting we will take a brief viewing of the outside of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, a building that blends old and new and which combines modern architecture with ancient design. Next door we will visit the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery which is the “spiritual house” for the rich natural, cultural and contemporary heritage of the country. The museum draws on well over 30,000 anthropological collections, more than 25,000 archaeological collections, more than 18,000 natural science collections, more than 20,000 war relics and more than 7000 contemporary art collections for its displays.
We will transit to Jacksons Airport for a 3.25 pm Air Niugini flight PX274 departure to Tokua Airport - Kokopo/Rabaul in East New Britain arriving at 4.50 pm. We transfer to your hotel accommodation. Before dinner enjoy a swim in the resort pool or snorkel the house reef which is home to local marine life.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 2 - Kokopo & Gazelle Peninsula - Tuesday 7th July 2026
Today we depart on a tour of the Gazelle Peninsula to observe cocoa, copra and palm oil cultivation undertaken in the rich volcanic soil, noting the area’s significant contribution to the national economy. In Kokopo we will visit the Agmark cocoa fermentary where the method of processing cocoa for export to the world’s chocolate makers is explained by the fermentary management. Kokopo, named Herbertshohe in the earliest colonial period, was from 1884 to 1910 the capital of the German New Guinea colonial empire. You will visit the historic German cemetery, the cathedral at Vunapope Catholic mission and the Kokopo Lookout. View the beachside landing site at Kabakaul from where Australian military forces advanced in 1914 to capture the German wireless station at Bita Paka. This battle was Australia’s first major military engagement of the First World War. Bita Paka War Cemetery is now the resting place of over one thousand Australian and Allied soldiers who met their fate during World War 2, when “Fortress Rabaul” became the South Pacific headquarters and staging post for the Japanese Imperial Forces. It was occupied by 100,000 Japanese soldiers. As well as the beautifully curated war cemetery your itinerary will include a visit to the Kokopo market, one of the biggest , vibrant and most colourful in Papua New Guinea.
Today we explore the Kokopo Museum which houses an impressive range of war relics along with an informative display of colonial, military and natural history. We enjoy a hearty Asian style lunch at the Ralum Country Club enjoying stunning ocean views over Blanche Bay. The bay is named after HMS Blanche, which surveyed the bay under the command of Captain Cortland Simpson in 1872. Standing on “Emma’s Steps” we hear stories about the achievements and exploits of Queen Emma Coe. She was a Polynesian Princess and daughter of an American sailor and Samoan mother who in the late 19th century brought commerce to East New Britain, through her savvy business sense and huge land holdings, upon which she grew an abundance of copra and cocoa. The steps are 140 years old, built in 1882 to grace Queen Emma’s famous bungalow Gunantambu. They were climbed by Governors, Ambassadors and Officers representing German Kaiser, American President and kings of England, France and other European nations along with assorted bishops and world-renowned scientists, explorers, anthropologists and adventurers. Gunantambu gatherings were famous throughout the South Seas.
We meander through the Gazelle Peninsula to reach Niugini Organics which is more than just a company—it’s a community employing over 40 local men and women and partnering with over 130 independent local growers who harvest organic coconuts from their own land, ensuring that every product we create is ethically and sustainably sourced. We will inspect the factory from where certified organic virgin coconut oil and soaps find their way onto shelves across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Papua New Guinea.
We will end day two at NARI , the National Agricultural Research Institute of Papua New Guinea's Islands Regional Centre based at Keravat on the Gazelle Peninsula and learn about the production and processing of galup nuts among other produce. This centre is the oldest research station in Papua New Guinea, with its establishment in 1928. It was popularly known and still referred today as the Lowlands Agricultural Experiment Station or LAES. It continues to conduct applied and development orientated research for the wet lowland coastal areas of the New Guinea Islands.
In the last 93 years, the centre has played a major role in the development of agriculture in the country. In particular, it has earned international recognition for its work on cocoa, a major cash crop in the lowlands of PNG. The first hybrid cocoa in the country was distributed from the seed garden at Keravat in 1982 and these hybrids predominate in both smallholder and plantation cocoa blocks throughout the country.
We return to Kokopo for the nights accommodation.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 3 - Kinavai and National Mask Festival - Wed. 8th July 2026
Gather at dawn for the Kinavai, which signifies the landing of the Tolai people in East New Britain several hundred years ago and marks the official opening of the National Mask Festival. The Kinavai represented with the arrival of the Tumbuan in their traditional masks, alighting from canoes paddled in the pre-dawn darkness . Dancing to the primal sounds of chanting and kundu drums, the revered ancestral spirits arise to welcome dancers wearing traditional masks from all over Papua New Guinea. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a refresh to then return to the festival grounds for the opening day of the Mask Festival. Among many highlights, the standouts include the Kusare warriors from Kandrian on the South coast of New Britain’s western province. From closer to home, the tall Tubuans from the Pomio district, the Tolai whip dancers along with neighbouring New Ireland’s renowned Malagan mask men all add to the colour and movement. Return to your accommodation for dinner and a rest.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 4 - Mask Festival and Bainings Fire Dance - Thurs. 9th July 2026
We return to the festival grounds this morning to enjoy a VIP viewing of the days cultural performances and returning to the hotel for lunch. Returning to the festival grounds after lunch, you will continue to enjoy a VIP viewing of the days performances.
After dinner, you will be transferred to Gaulim Village in the Bainings area. This evenings spectacular Bainings Fire Dance is performed only by men from the Bainings clans, where they immerse themselves into the flames of the fire and escape completely unharmed. This amazing ritual is not performed anywhere else in the world. One of few cultures in Papua New Guinea who do not use the Kundu drum as their rhythmic percussion instruments, the Bainings clan instead use bamboo, and the sound is just as unique as the fire dance itself. After the performance, return back to your hotel.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 5 – Rabaul's Volcanoes & War History - Warwagira Festival - Friday 10th July 2026
This morning we travel to Simpsons Harbour to enjoy spectacular views on an early morning climb of the active volcano, Mt Tavurvur. While the climb is challenging, it’s not beyond most people’s capability to reach the top. Flynn’s Tours has had an octogenarian comfortably complete the ascent. You can take in further views of Rabaul’s picturesque harbour and its six volcanoes from the Vulcanological Observatory on Tunnel Hill. An informative talk delivered by an onsite vulcanologist will enlighten you of the workings of volcanoes, lava, magma and related geological, geophysical and geochemical phenomena. The Rabaul caldera was created about 1400 years ago with an explosion which erupted 11 cubic kilometres of rock. This massive outpouring of gas, lava, rocks and ash produced the largest volcanic dry fog in recorded history. A mysterious cloud that blocked sunlight for 12 to 18 months over Europe, China and the Middle East in 536 AD is linked to this mighty eruption. You will tour the area of current volcano activity and clamber around Mount Tavurvur. See the hot springs, sulphurous steam points and the megapode egg hunters who burrow metres into the black sand emerging with the prized eggs. Megapodes do not incubate their eggs with their body heat as other birds do, but bury them. Their eggs are unique in having a large yolk, making up 50-70% of the egg weight. The birds here are burrow-nesters which use geothermal heat. Some species vary their incubation strategy, such as building mounds to bury them in, depending on the local environment. We travel around the remains of old Rabaul town (including its airport) which resembles a lunar landscape, following its burial in volcanic ash during the dramatic eruptions of 1994. Prior to the burial of Rabaul town it was revered as “the Pearl of the South Pacific”. East New Britain’s commercial hub has been re-established in a modernised Kokopo over the past 30 years. Rabaul was also badly damaged during an earlier eruption on 6 June 1937, five years before the occupation by Japanese military. We visit Matupit Island whose people and settlement survived the worst of the 1994 volcanic eruption despite their location immediately beneath it. Visit old Rabaul Township and see the resulting destruction caused by the 1994 volcanic explosions. Discover the pre-European settlement history and recent colonial occupations by German, Japanese and Australian administrations at the New Guinea Club and Rabaul Historical Display. Explore the Japanese military command bunker of Admiral Yamamoto where maps of the surrounding area are etched into the bunkers ceiling at head height. We travel back through Rabaul where we will visit the underground Japanese Hospital tunnels dating from World War Two and the tranquil memorial gardens at the Chinese cemetery where your tour leader, John Gannan, will explain aspects of the historically long association the Chinese have had with East New Britain, along with the many other people and cultures that have shaped this part of New Britain Island. We climb around the large barges of the Japanese Imperial forces that are still housed in even larger tunnels hewn into the soft volcanic cliff faces on the shores of Blanche Bay. We return along the beautiful coastal road to our Kokopo.
We return to the Festival grounds after lunch to appreciate an array of musical genres performed by talented locals - all part of the Warwagira Musical component held on the third day of the Festival Before dinner enjoy a swim in the resort pool or snorkel the house reef which is home to local marine life.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 6 - Duke of York Islands , St Georges Channel - Sat. 11th July 2026
This morning we travel by boat across the St. Georges Channel to the Duke of York Islands and their picturesque lagoons. This idyllic paradise is made up of a dozen or so islands set among a mesmerizingly, forever changing backdrop of colourful tropical landscapes. The natural beauty is interspersed with scenes of village life as the happy villagers go about living beside the tranquil waters they share with an abundance of marine life.
We will visit Kabakon “the garden” Island and the aclaimed " Pang Pang Paradise " Island. The natural beauty is interspersed with the scenes of happy villagers on Karrawara Island who go about living beside the tranquil waters they share with an abundance of marine life. Be enthralled with the playful dolphins and mysterious dugongs.
In 1902, the 25-year-old German health reformer, August Engelhardt, who practiced sun worship and a strict coconut diet, retreated from Bavarian university life to Kabakon Island in the Duke of York Islands, which he purchased from his mother country with an inheritance. The first few years were idyllic. Engelhardt established a coconut plantation and called his followers to join him in this brave new world. They called themselves Sonnenorden and practised sun worship and nudity and lived off coconuts. But it didn’t last. Learn out why!
The welcoming host of the superbly appointed Eco Sea Lodge will ensure that you lunch on plentiful amounts of delicious and freshly harvested fruit, vegetables and fish. For lunch today we will taste Aigir, a traditional cuisine of the Tolai people of East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea. It's been a main dish for generations of the Tolai people and is prepared on special occasions and family gatherings. The method of cooking Aigir which is made by heating hot stones to boil liquid coconut and pure coconut will be demonstrated. The dish is widely accepted as one of the finest dishes. Aigir works by heating the liquid with hot stones. To make Tolai aigir, you peel kaukau and bananas, cut them in half, and add aibika, salt, sliced onion, and tomatoes to heated coconut oil. Aigir is consumed with meats prepared in the traditional method of cooking known as Mumu which is regarded as the national dish of Papua New Guinea. It is composed of pork or chicken, sweet potato, taro, plantains, with leafy vegetables. Mumu is an example of a balanced dish composed of the two bases, crops (including starch) and meat. The dish is named after the earth oven used to cook it and its cooking will also be demonstrated.
After lunch there will be time for beachcombing or frolicking in the sea checking out the corals and marine life we make our way from the islands by boat back to the New Britain mainland resort to freshen up, enjoy the resorts facilities - a swim in the resort pool or snorkel the house reef which is home to local marine life. Wine and dine on the over the water decking before retiring to your comfortable accommodation for a well earned nights rest.
Kokopo's Best Beachside Resort B , L , D
Day 7 - Options A or B – Sunday Island Sojourn - Sunday 12th July New Britain's History , Customs & Cultural & Religious Practices
OPTION A - 8 DAYS : Enjoy a morning of activities until eating a quick lunch at our beachside resort after which you will transit to Tokua Airport for the PNG Air 2.30 pm flight from Tokua Airport to Port Moresby transiting to the Sanctuary Hotel accommodation to stay overnight for flight departures on Day 8.
Same Sunday July 12th 2026.
Option B - 11 Day inc. visit to New Ireland : Enjoy the full days activities including lunch at the beachside resort and then transit to the Tokua airport at 3.30 pm to fly with Air Nuigini at 5.20 pm arriving in Kavieng, New Ireland at 6.00 pm . We transit from the Airport to your accommodation in Kavieng to enjoy dinner and rest for the evening.
New Britain's History , Customs & Cultural Practices
This morning we travel along the coconut fringed shoreline coastal road towards Rabaul Town and visit the Raluana Uniting Church to hear the truly uplifting sounds of the churches nationally recognised church choir. Papua New Guinea's church songs vary by denomination, with styles ranging from traditional hymns in English and local languages to contemporary gospel music. They are well worth listening to. Departing the church we pass the intriguing Vulcan volcano , learning of it's abrupt formation during the explosive eruption in the Rabaul Caldera in 1878. It was built from a series of eruptions that occurred after the larger caldera-forming event, creating a cone of basaltic-to-dacitic pyroclastic material on the caldera floor near the western wall. The 1878 eruption built the cone to its current state, and Vulcan, along with the nearby Tavurvur, has had major explosive activity during historical times, including a simultaneous eruption in 1994.
We now take the Top Road from Rabaul, stopping briefly at the Catholic church at Rakunai, the resting place of Saint Peter To Rot (pictured on the left hand side of this text). Pope St. John Paul II declared Peter To Rot Blessed, in 1995, as the first Martyr of Papua New Guinea, as a new figure of holiness as a layman a husband, father, teacher, and catechist. Pope Francis approved his canonization on March 31, 2025, and he was canonized on 19th October 2025 by Pope Leo XIV and be formally recognised as the first saint from Papua New Guinea. The Japanese invasion of the island in 1942 posed a significant threat to the New Guinea Church. To Rot, entrusted with continuing the work of a departing missionary, defied Japanese attempts to undermine Church teachings, particularly regarding marriage. Despite the risk, he organized secret religious gatherings and resisted the re-introduction of legal polygamy by the Japanese, staunchly defending monogamy. His steadfastness led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom in July 1945, underscoring his commitment to the faith and the sanctity of Christian marriage.
Today we will have the customary shell money concept explained in detail with an opportunity to make your own string of shell money. Early missionaries and travellers to New Britain found it to be the only area in the Pacific region they had come across where the locals had a true money currency of a standard value. The Europeans were intrigued by the local monetary system and the way in which Tambu was intricately woven into the very texture of social life. It still plays its role in Tolai society today, maintaining its cultural significance, particularly as part of the bride price or gift giving to the father of the would be bride. It is exchanged to mark births, marriages and deaths. The standard unit of currency is the 'pokono' or fathom (a grown man's arm span). Be fascinated by stories from the Tubuan Society of the local Tolai people who have strict laws and taboos. Learn of the Ingiet stone carvings associated with the powerful Ingiet sorcerers and the secret men’s society, outlawed by the German administration in 1905.
It was from Wesleyan Methodist Mission in Fiji that the first mission team were sent to New Britain Island in 1875. Fijian missionaries proselytization legacy and martyrdom is today honored in Kabakada village. A memorial monument was erected on top of the buried remains of the four slain martyrs on Vunela hilltop on 15 August 1975, the one hundredth year anniversary of the arrival of the Fijian missionaries in the New Guinea islands. The burial site now known as the Fijian Cemetery holds 41 graves which are now part of the Vunela historical tourism site. Six married, and three single, men were chosen to work under the supervision of Reverand George Brown, an experienced missionary, who had served in Samoa. Within three years, most of them were dead. A powerful New Britain pagan chief massacred three of them, and some died of malaria. But, there was no shortage of Fijians, who were ready to take their place.
Day 8 - Option A - Monday 13th July - Depart from Port Moresby
Having arrived in Port Moresby the night before and time permitting you can visit the Port Moresby Nature Park. Spread over 30 acres the park is home to over 250 native animals and birds along with hundreds of plant species, many of which are rarely seen outside of PNG. The Nature Park has won a number of international awards for its works.
Today can fly home with Air Niugini flights to Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Singapore & Manila. Travellers flying to Brisbane can depart from Jackson's Airport in Port Moresby on a Qantas flight at 1.35 pm in the afternoon.
A range of international carriers provide flights to many other destinations.
Breakfast provided
Did you know?
The Mask Festival is the only festival of its kind in Papua New Guinea. Together with their amazing costumes, groups from all across the islands gather in the coastal town of Kokopo to showcase their elaborate ancestral and spirit masks whilst performing ritual dances, each style forging the unique cultural identity of a tribe.
Witness the 'Kinavai' opening ceremony at dawn, as the arrival of ancestral spirits are welcomed to chants and the beating of kundu drums by elders and initiated young men on canoes.
Experience the spectacular Baining Fire Dance from the Tolai’s of the mainland of East New Britain Province, where in this night-time traditional dance, initiated young men perform harrowing dances through blazing fires amidst evocative chanting by their elders. Join us as we experience one of the most fascinating festivals Papua New Guinea has to offer.
In 1902, the 25-year-old German health reformer, August Engelhardt, who practiced sun worship and a strict coconut diet, retreated from Bavarian university life to Kabakon Island in the Duke of York Islands, which he purchased from his mother country with an inheritance. The first few years were idyllic. Engelhardt established a coconut plantation and called his followers to join him in this brave new world. They called themselves Sonnenorden and practised sun worship and nudity and lived off coconuts. But it didn’t last. The alien living conditions took their toll and several died. Others turned their back on him. Engelhardt, known by the local islanders as Mr Coconut, was eventually left alone, gripped by malaria and went insane. He died on the island aged 46 in 1919.
Queen Emma Coe was a Polynesian Princess and daughter of an American sailor and Samoan mother who in the late 19th century brought commerce to East New Britain, through her savvy business sense and huge land holdings, upon which she grew an abundance of copra and cocoa. The steps are 140 years old, built in 1882 to grace Queen Emma’s famous bungalow Gunantambu. They were climbed by Governors, Ambassadors and Officers representing German Kaiser, American President and kings of England, France and other European nations along with assorted bishops and world-renowned scientists, explorers, anthropologists and adventurers. Gunantambu gatherings were famous throughout the South Seas.
The Tubuan Society of the local Tolai people who have strict laws and taboos.
Learn of the Ingiet stone carvings associated with the powerful Ingiet sorcerers and the secret men’s society, outlawed by the German administration in 1905. Early missionaries and travellers to New Britain found it to be the only area in the Pacific region they had come across where the locals had a true money currency of a standard value. The Europeans were intrigued by the local monetary system and the way in which Tambu was intricately woven into the very texture of social life. It still plays its role in Tolai society today, maintaining its cultural significance, particularly as part of the bride price or gift giving to the father of the would be bride.
The Rabaul Caldera was created about 1400 years ago with an explosion which erupted 11 cubic kilometres of rock. This massive outpouring of gas, lava, rocks and ash produced the largest volcanic dry fog in recorded history. A mysterious cloud that blocked sunlight for 12 to 18 months over Europe, China and the Middle East in 536 AD is linked to this mighty eruption.
The Marquis de Ray, whose real name was Charles Guillain, was a French adventurer who attempted to establish a colony in the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea in the late 19th century.
Born in France in 1825, de Ray harbored ambitions of founding a utopian settlement in the Pacific.In 1878, de Ray acquired a large tract of land in New Ireland, which he named "Franceville." He proclaimed himself the Marquis de Ray and began recruiting French settlers to join his colony. Promising fertile land and a prosperous future, de Ray managed to attract around 200 individuals to embark on this venture.
However, the expedition turned into a disaster. The settlers faced numerous hardships, including disease, scarcity of resources, and conflicts with local indigenous populations. The dream of a flourishing French colony quickly crumbled, and de Ray's leadership was called into question.
As conditions worsened, some settlers managed to escape the island, and others perished. Eventually, de Ray was arrested and brought back to France to face charges of fraud and deception. He was sentenced to imprisonment and died in 1895.
The ill-fated endeavor of the Marquis de Ray in New Ireland Province serves as a cautionary tale of colonial ambitions gone awry. It highlights the challenges and complexities involved in establishing new settlements in unfamiliar territories, particularly when undertaken without adequate planning, resources, and respect for the local population
OPTION OF ADDITIONAL 3 DAYS INCLUDING NEW IRELAND VISIT
Day 8 – Option B - Monday 13th July - Discover New Ireland
Following breakfast we take a drive around this laid back town of Kavieng that is the regional headquarters for New Ireland Province. Heading down the Boluminski Highway we visit the village of Laraibina, famous for it's Eels, a unique species of freshwater eels found in the rivers and streams of the New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea. These eels possess a distinct pattern of vibrant colors, including shades of blue, green, and yellow, which make them visually striking. They are known for their elusive nature and are considered an important cultural symbol in the region, representing strength and resilience in local folklore and traditions.
We will visit the Malagan Mask Gallery in the village of Langenia where master carver, Fabian Paino works with his team of carvers. The most famous cultural system of New Ireland is "Malagan", a Nalik word for an ancient and revered set of practices and ceremonies practised throughout much of the main island. The Malagan masks have a symbolic meaning as the dead must be remembered through the masks and ceremonies. They are the practical means of capturing the spirits of recent dead relatives or clan members. During the colonial era, significant quantities of Malagan masks were collected by European administrators and can be seen in museums all over Europe.
We travel further along the scenic coastline until we arrive at Dalum Village which has a beautifull river running through it spilling onto an equally beautiful beach. We will enjoy lunch here and a quick swim in the river floating on rubber tubes.
We will then make our way past the scenic Pam Waterfall before arriving at at Rubio Plantation Retreat , a surf retreat (in season) in an idyllic location on the Beach with accommodation located right on the beach and an over the water decking to enjoy your lunch on.
Rubio Plantation Retreat B , L , D
Day 9–Climb the Clouds to the unique Lelet Plateau - Tuesday 14th July
Following a morning of beachcombing and birdwatching in the adjacent jungle to Rubio Plantation Resort and a hearty breakfast we depart for a very contrasting landscape. We explore the Pam Waterfall located just by the roadside with easy access. We trek by vehicle back along the coast towards Kavieng and then head up into the jungle clad mountains till we reach the Lelet Plateau enjoying panoramic views out to Tabar Island. The Lelet Plateau in Central New Ireland, embodies the harmonious coexistence of agriculture, communal activities, and cultural traditions. The fertile land, coupled with the strong community bonds, forms the essence of life in these villages, creating a vibrant and self-sustaining ecosystem. The fertile land supports a variety of crops, including sweet potatoes, taro, yams, bananas, and a range of other vegetables. Farmers employ traditional techniques passed down through generations, cultivating small plots using manual tools. They rely on the abundant rainfall and favorable climate to nurture their crops. Farming activities are often communal, with villagers working together during planting and harvesting seasons, fostering a sense of community and cooperation. In addition to horticulture, the Lelet Plateau villagers engage in various activities to support their livelihoods. Livestock rearing, such as raising pigs and poultry, is common, providing a source of food, trade, and ceremonial significance.
We depart from the guesthouse after lunch following an interesting morning birdwatching and meeting families living in remotely located areas living the simplest of lives in humble dwellings and the rawness of nature on their doorstep as they eke out a subsistence farming lifestyle.
We return to Kavieng by late afternoon and take take a spin around this laid back town that is the regional headquarters for New Ireland Province, checking out the local market along the way to our accommodation.
Comfortable and attentive accommodation with bountiful meals in Kavieng B , L , D
2 OPTIONS AVAILABLE FROM TODAY- Wednesday 15th July 2026
OPTION ONE - within listed pricing structure
Day 10 – Wednesday 15th July 2026 - Depart Kavieng for Port Moresby for International Departure on Day 11 on Thursday 16th July 2026
This morning we board the Air Niugini flight from Kavieng departing at 6.00 am and arriving in Port Moresby at 8.25 am.
We check into our accommodation and have the breakfast that you may require given our early checkout from the Kavieng accommodation for the early check-in for your flight to Port Moresby.
Today we visit the Port Moresby Nature Park. Spread over 30 acres the park is home to over 250 native animals and birds along with hundreds of plant species, many of which are rarely seen outside of PNG. The Nature Park has won a number of international awards for its works.
We will also drive from Port Moresby viewing the stunning scenery at the Varirata National Park’s viewing point as well as exploring it's forests on the lookout for Birds of Paradise. We enjoy beautiful views of the Laloki River as we drive further up to the Sogeri Plateau and the foothills of the Owen Stanley Ranges to the start of the Kokoda Track at Ower's Corner. On the return journey we briefly visit the Bomana War Cemetery where those who died in the fighting in Papua New Guinea are buried, their graves brought in by the Australian Army Graves Service from burial grounds in the areas where the fighting had taken place.
Or enjoy some other Port Moresby Highlights depending on your preferences. We can discuss these options with you.
Sanctuary Hotel Resort or similar - Dinner
OPTION TWO - Additional Cost - Price On Application.
Day 10 - A Waterworld Wonderland - Wednesday 15th July 2026
Today you can embark on a number of options that centre around the waterworld wonderland that is New Ireland. The options include Fishing, Snorkelling and Diving located close to Kavieng and it's nearby islands with a special something to choose a bit further by boat from Kavieng in the picturesque Tsoi Islands.
SEE BELOW FOR YOUR OPTIONS FOR TONIGHT'S ACCOMMODATION AND ACTIVITIES FOR DAY 10 and maybe Longer !
OPTIONS GALORE FOR THE LAST DAY OF YOUR ADVENTURE -
With opportunities to extend the length of your stay in New Ireland.
Your earliest departure for Port Moresby from Kavieng would be very early on the morning of the Thursday 16th July.
This would allow for your International departure to commence on Friday 17th of July.
OPTIONS
* Lissenung Island Resort offers excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities . A Turtle experience is available here in season.
* Lumeuas Cove Retreat presents an eco adventure. This choice would require a minimum of a 2 Day visit. It is located among the picturesque Tsoi Island chain, with passageways and coves. It provides an escape from the hustle & bustle of city life, and a peaceful place to return to nature. Well worth extending.
* Nusa Island Retreat located on Nusalik island is an environmentally and culturally sensitive accommodation facility with traditional style and charm. Perfectly positioned with encompassing views it is located just across from Kavieng town. Nusa also specialises in tours and activities ranging from snorkelling, fishing, surfing and kayaking/canoeing.
Fishing in Kavieng
Being so close to the Equator allows angler’s access to these many islands all year round, as the area does not experience either cyclones or typhoons. Most pelagic species are available and include Black & Blue Marlin and Sailfish. The area is also home to Yellow fin, Skipjack, and Dogtooth Tuna and no tropical fishing trip is complete without casting poppers for the famous GT’s (Giant Trevally) and standing awe struck at the Volkswagen size whole in the ocean as the fish vanishes to the depths with your lure. Other game fish that can be caught within 5 minutes of the town are Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish undoubtedly the best eating fish of all the pelages) and the highly sought after Mackerel & Wahoo - catches of over 30Kg have been recorded. The area also has an abundance of fish inhabiting the hundreds of coral reefs. Anglers who prefer the deeper water can test their skills on Coral & Coronation Trout, Red Emperor and Sweetlip, along with dozens of other species. For those who like serious deep-water challenges there are sufficient Goldband Snapper & Amberjack to be jigged up from 100 meters to wear even the fittest angler. A short boat ride from the town will find the angler in the heart of a mangrove estuary system with several rivers empting into Bagail Bay making the area a haven for several species of Trevally, Cod and another favourite, the Mangrove Jack.
Diving and Snorkelling in Kavieng
Divers visiting Kavieng will not only experience the thrill of close encounters with big pelagic fish in the current-swept passages, but can also enjoy the relaxing feeling of drifting along plunging walls decorated with colourful corals and fans, explore World War II wrecks as well as discover a multitude of small critters on inshore muck dives. Diving on the Pacific side is particularly good in September when the sea is calm, winds offshore and the visibility often exceeds 40m.For the wreck enthusiasts there are more known World War II aircraft wrecks in and around Kavieng, than anywhere else in Papua New Guinea. Seaplanes are scattered in and around Kavieng Harbour, as well as American War Plane (P28) further afield. Interesting muck diving can also be found within the Kavieng Harbour and around the inshore islands.And the reefs are not only for divers, excellent visibility and an abundance of fish make them perfect for snorkelling as well. Snorkellers are welcome to join dive boats, or snorkelling trips can be arranged.