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Port Moresby

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Poreporena stilt village, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Pacific

Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

Overview

Squeezed between the dusty hills and the deep blue sea, gritty Port Moresby is not most travellers' idea of an enchanting capital. A spread-out collection of neighbourhoods – from modern office buildings in Town and Waigani and a glitzy marina full of yachts, to squatter shantytowns with no electricity or running water that cling to the hillsides and scruffy marketplaces where barefoot higglers from nearby villages sell their modest wares, the city illustrates the stark divide between PNG's haves and have-nots.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • 500px Photo ID: 79113819 -

    Port Moresby Nature Park

    Port Moresby

    At the northern end of Waigani Dr, by the University of Papua New Guinea, this is an island of calm. More than 2km of walkways thread under and through…

  • National Museum & Art Gallery

    National Museum & Art Gallery

    Port Moresby

    This superb museum, beautifully remodelled for the country's 40th anniversary of independence, is the best introduction you can get to Papua New Guinea's…

  • Varirata National Park

    Varirata National Park

    Port Moresby

    Right after the small store at Laloki River Gorge is the turn-off to Varirata National Park which, at 1000 hectares and over 800m high, is the highlight…

  • Parliament Haus

    Parliament Haus

    Port Moresby

    The main Parliament Haus building is in the style of a Maprik- or Sepik-style haus tambaran, while the attached, circular cafeteria follows Highland…

  • Bomana War Cemetery

    Bomana War Cemetery

    Port Moresby

    A turnoff near Fourteen Mile takes you to the large and carefully tended Bomana War Cemetery, where 4000 unknown PNG and Australian WWII soldiers are…

  • Hanuabada

    Hanuabada

    Port Moresby

    Past the docks to the north lies Hanuabada, the original Motu village. Although it is still built over the sea on stilts, the original wood and thatched…

  • Old Parliament Building

    Old Parliament Building

    Port Moresby

    The Old Parliament Building was never an architectural wonder, but its opening as the House of Assembly in 1964 was a significant milestone on PNG's road…

  • Hombrum Bluff Lookout

    Hombrum Bluff Lookout

    Port Moresby

    Some kilometres down the rough Kokoda Track road (barely navigable in a 2WD in the dry season only) is a turn-off left (west) back towards Port Moresby…

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