Peter ToRot’s Cemetery & Memorial Church

New Britain


As the Burma Rd begins to dip towards the coast, it passes through the Rakunai site of Peter ToRot’s Cemetery and Memorial Church. Peter ToRot was a village priest who was killed by the Japanese in July 1945. His remains were beatified by John Paul II in 1995. It’s moving to see a multitude of families in pressed shirts, print dresses and bare feet walk many kilometres to Sunday church.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby New Britain attractions

1. Chinese Cemetery

2.09 MILES

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

2. Malmaluan Lookout

2.1 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…

4. Japanese Barge Tunnels

2.23 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…

5. Beehives

3.73 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…

6. Floating Crane

3.83 MILES

A rusty Japanese floating crane, which was bombed by the Allies.

7. Blue Lagoon Lookout

4.24 MILES

Enjoy wonderful views of Blanche Bay with Tavurvur volcano as a fantastic backdrop.

8. Matupit Island

4.63 MILES

The 1994 eruption should have destroyed little Matupit Island but the prevailing winds brought Tavurvur’s load over Rabaul and left this connected island…