Kabaira Beach Hideaway

Top choice in New Britain


This laid-back resort on the waterfront radiates a ramshackle air, and combines friendly informality and a picturesque setting. Lodgers can stay in one of four simple all-wood rooms with shared bathrooms or in one of the roomier bungalows, each with a private bathroom. There’s excellent kayaking, swimming and snorkelling on the house reef and the homestyle cooking receives high marks.

A host of activities can be arranged, including diving with the associated Kabaira Dive in Kokopo, plus Robinson Crusoe–style picnics (or overnights) on nearby islands. It’s about 60 minutes from Rabaul on PMV 5 (infrequent especially on Sundays), though you may have to transfer at Basis. From Kokopo take PMV 4 to Keravat and change to PMV 5 to Kabaira. Airport transfers are K50 one way. Free laundry. Reserve ahead.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby New Britain attractions

2. Malmaluan Lookout

8.47 MILES

The Burma (Vuruga) Rd leaves the Kokopo–Rabaul Rd and climbs to Malmaluan Lookout, at the Telikom tower. The views are OK, and there’s an anti-aircraft…

3. Chinese Cemetery

8.77 MILES

There's a small Chinese Cemetery beside the Karavia Bay Tunnels.

5. Japanese Barge Tunnels

8.87 MILES

Tunnels built to hold the barges out of sight from the Allies. They were hauled to the water along rails by Indian slaves, now buried at Bita Paka War…

6. Beehives

9.28 MILES

The two rocky pinnacles rising from the centre of Simpson Harbour are called the Beehives and are said to be the hard core of the original old volcano…

7. Vulcanology Observatory

9.9 MILES

A worthwhile site is the Vulcanology Observatory, about 900m off Tunnel Hill Rd, from where you can enjoy million-dollar views over the bay and the…