From volcanic hikes to remote tribal encounters, these things to do in Papua New Guinea will take you to an offbeat adventure of a lifetime!
Photo credit: @kristoufff via Instagram
There is no shortage of island getaways near Singapore: Batam, Bali, and Penang are a few that come to mind. While we’ll never get tired of these classics, we’re always excited to explore lesser-known gems!
Enter Papua New Guinea (PNG): an off-the-radar country with many bucket list experiences. Whether you’re chasing volcanic views, diving into rich history or meeting tribes that preserve century-old traditions, this destination is made for curious travellers!
Here are 13 things to do in Papua New Guinea, grouped by the main regions you’ll likely explore: Port Moresby (capital city), Rabaul (volcanic landscapes), and Mount Hagen (cultural villages).
How to get to Papua New Guinea from Singapore
Photo credit: Changi Airport Group
Air Niugini currently offers direct flights from Singapore to Port Moresby (the capital of Papua New Guinea) — 5x a week! The total journey takes around 7 hours.
Once you’re in Port Moresby, take domestic flights via Air Niugini to connect you to other regions like Rabaul (95 minutes away) and Mount Hagen (70 minutes away).
Getting around Papua New Guinea
Weaving with coconut leaves in Rabaul, East New Britain. Photo credit: PNG Tourism Promotion Authority
Public transport is mostly limited to taxis and Public Motor Vehicles (minibuses, or trucks with benches). However, they can be infrequent and crowded, especially outside Port Moresby.
Most cultural villages, historical sites, and volcano viewpoints also require a four-wheel drive (4WD) and a local guide to get there. So it’s highly recommended to book a guided tour instead for convenience, especially if you’re planning to explore more remote areas.
For a more seamless trip: Air Niugini offers tour packages — including flights, accommodation, and activities — all bundled together. Book them at the NATAS Fair from 15 to 17 August 2025, or find out more on the official website.
*Note: Most of the attractions below are included in Air Niugini’s tour package.
Things to do in Port Moresby
Photo credit: PNG Tourism Promotion Authority
Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea, is surrounded by nature and beautiful coastal views. Perfect for those who like adventure with a side of modern life!
1) Hike (a section of) the Kokoda Track
Photo credit: @chey_abel via Instagram
Trekking the Kokoda Track is one of the most challenging yet rewarding things to do in Papua New Guinea… and perhaps the world!
The whole trek usually takes around a week to finish, but if you lack time, you can always just choose to take on a part of it.
The trail winds through lush rainforest, steep ridges, and hidden waterfalls. Treks also often include stops at remote villages, where you’ll interact with local communities and learn about their daily life.
Photo credit: @momentummentalhealth1 via Instagram
It’s also a historic route that once saw fierce battles between Australian and Japanese forces during World War II, with war memorials to visit along the way.
Photo credit: @inspiredadventures via Instagram
*Pro-tip: Short on time or want something easier? Try a day hike at Sogeri, where you can trek past creeks, ancient rock art, and a hidden waterfall near the southern end of the Kokoda Trail.
Cost: Varies per tour operator (~S$3.2k/pax for 8-day trek, ~S$53/pax for a 1-day trek)
Tour timings: Varies; usually from Apr – Oct
2) Explore wrecks and reefs from Port Moresby
Photo credit: PADI
You might not expect it, but just off the coast of Port Moresby lies one of Papua New Guinea’s most underrated dive scenes.
A 40-minute boat ride brings you to Suzie’s Bommie — vibrant coral reefs and drop-offs (coral walls) with turtles, massive schools of snapper, barracuda, and even the occasional reef shark.
Photo credit: Scuba Diver Life
Papua New Guinea also has some “wreck sites”, sunken ships and planes from World War II or decommissioned vessels that now serve as artificial reefs.
One of them is The Pacific Gas Wreck — among the many lionfish and batfish is a 65m-long ship, still intact! It was purposefully made to sink in 1986 after it was deemed unfit to operate.
Cost: From PGK365/pax (~S$112) (diving certification needed, incl. equipment)
Tour timings: 8:30AM – 2:30PM
Pick-up point: Hotel pick-up
3) Spend a day under the sun at Ela Beach
Photo credit: Paga Hill Estate
Lined with palm trees, breezy walking paths, and ocean views, Ela Beach is the most popular public beach in the capital city! On weekends, it becomes even livelier with vibrant pop-up markets, where you can try local street food and shop for handmade crafts.
On the eastern end of Ela Beach is the APEC Haus, a shell-shaped modern event space with panoramic views of the harbour. It was initially built for the 2018 APEC Summit, and now stands as a symbol of the country’s growing role in regional diplomacy and economic cooperation.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: Port Moresby National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
How to get there: 15min taxi ride from Port Moresby International Airport (Google Maps)
4) Spot animals at Port Moresby Nature Park
Photo credit: @zanalee_skein via Instagram
Just 13 minutes from the city’s airport is Port Moresby Nature Park, one of the best places to see the country’s wildlife up close.
A Victoria crowned pigeon, native to New Guinea. Photo credit: @tedstravelmarker via Instagram
It’s home to over 350 native animals, including tree kangaroos, and the country’s iconic “birds of paradise” — known for their vibrant colours and mating dances.
Walk past tropical gardens to find aviaries and reptiles in beautifully designed enclosures. It also has cultural displays like yam houses (traditional stilted huts used to store yams) and traditional canoes along the way.
Entrance fee: From PGK22/pax (~S$7)
Opening hours: 9AM – 4:30PM (Mon – Fri), 9AM – 5PM (Sat – Sun)
Address: H5V8+P9R, Goro – Kaeaga Rd, Port Moresby National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
How to get there: 13min taxi ride from Port Moresby International Airport (Google Maps)
5) Learn about local culture at the National Museum and Art Gallery
Photo credit: Architectus
Located in the heart of Port Moresby, the National Museum and Art Gallery is a fascinating introduction to how diverse Papua New Guinea truly is! Browse over 30,000 artefacts, wood carvings, and ceremonial masks that represent hundreds of distinct cultures across the country.
There are also exhibitions from local and international artists, with permanent displays showcasing themes like traditional warfare, body art, and the Sepik River, one of the largest rivers in Papua New Guinea.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 3PM, closed on Mon
Address: Independence Drive, Waigani, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, NCDC
How to get there: 8min taxi ride from Port Moresby International Airport (Google Maps)
Things to do in Rabaul
Photo credit: @3xone.piksa via Instagram
Rabaul is a coastal town where active volcanoes, steaming landscapes, and WWII relics sit side by side. From its ash-covered remnants to its underground war tunnels, every corner here tells a compelling story about the island country.
6) See the earth boil at Mount Tavurvur’s volcanic hot springs
Photo credit: @offbeat_travelers via Instagram
One of the most exciting things to do in Papua New Guinea — primarily because of how post-apocalyptic it feels — is visiting Mount Tavurvur, an extremely active volcano near Rabaul.
The raw and thrilling (but relatively easy) hike takes you through jagged lava fields and scorched trees. The highlight here is seeing the geothermal hot springs, Rababa Hot Springs, where thick steam rises from the ground.
Some areas are so hot that the surface earth literally bubbles and boils, making it feel like it’s a living and breathing creature!
*Note: It’s recommended to have a local guide to get you safely through unmarked paths. Be prepared with sturdy shoes and sun protection.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24 hrs
Address: Q5FW+6Q3, Matupit Number 1, Papua New Guinea
How to get there: 1hr 10min taxi ride from Tokua Airport (Google Maps)
7) Catch caldera views from the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory
Photo credit: @eldavide80 via Instagram
Head up Rabaul Volcanological Observatory to get a panoramic view of the old town… or what remains of it.
Back in 1994, a massive volcanic eruption nearly wiped Rabaul off the map, with the entire town getting buried in ash. Today, you might see remnants of buildings half-buried in volcanic dust.
But more than that, you’ll get to see the most dramatic landscapes in Papua New Guinea, such as the crater of Mount Tavurvur and the Simpson Harbour — a tranquil bay shaped by the volcano.
*Note: While the lookout with a view of Rabaul is open to the public, entrance to the actual observatory is not.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 6AM – 6PM
Address: R557+J9M, Rabaul West New Britain, Papua New Guinea
How to get there: 1hr taxi ride from Tokua Airport (Google Maps)
8) Go dolphin-watching at sunrise
Photo credit: @nickym914 via Tripadvisor
For a wholesome start to your day, go on a sunrise dolphin cruise off the coast of Rabaul. Watch hundreds of spinner dolphins play and jump in the waters from your boat!
If weather permits, you can even go swimming with them to hear their signature clicks and whistles echo underwater 🐬
Cost: From PKG255/pax (~S$77)
Tour timing: 6:30AM – 7:45AM
Meet-up point: Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort — 20min taxi ride from Tokua Airport (Google Maps)
8) Walk through WWII Japanese Barge Tunnels
Photo credit: Michael Warren via Google Maps
A visit to the WWII Japanese Barge Tunnels offers a haunting but fascinating look at how Rabaul became one of Japan’s key military strongholds in the South Pacific in the early 1940s.
Explore a series of tunnels carved by soldiers during the war to hide their barge supplies from air raids. These dark and damp volcanic-rock tunnels go pretty deep and are still eerily intact. Some even have old tracks and war relics lying around!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 6AM – 6PM
Address: Kokopo-Rabaul Rd, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea
How to get there: 42min taxi ride from Tokua Airport (Google Maps)
9) Watch the powerful Baining Firedance ritual
Photo credit: @roanpaul50 via Instagram
The Baining Firedance isn’t just a cultural show! It’s a powerful, sacred ritual held in East New Britain (90 minutes from Rabaul) to honour the spirits of their ancestors, and to signify a boy’s transition into adulthood.
The Baining tribe is known for their close-knit communities and deep respect for nature and ancestral traditions, which form their distinct identity.
Photo credit: David Kirkland
This ceremony takes place late at night around a roaring bonfire. Young Baining men wear animal masks meant to channel their power, then dance barefoot through flames to the rhythm of bamboo instruments.
*Note: This ritual only occurs after approval from the village leader, for groups of 10 people or more. You must ask for permission to take photos.
Cost: ~PGK150/pax (~S$46)
How to get there: Arrange a trip to the Baining Mountains with a local tour operator, or book a tour package with Air Niguini
Interested in all of these Rabaul activities? Book a tour package with Air Niugini for convenience! They will take care of all flights, transportation, accommodations, and activities for your entire trip. Learn more at the official website.
Things to do in Mount Hagen
Photo credit: @globegride via Instagram
High up in Papua New Guinea’s central highlands, Mount Hagen blends dramatic landscapes with rich tribal heritage. It’s one of the best places to experience an authentic way of life and witness the living customs of its people.
11) Watch cultural performances at the Mount Hagen Cultural Show
Photo credit: Mt Hagen Cultural Show via Facebook
Many travellers flock to Mount Hagen in August to catch the Mount Hagen Cultural Show, one of Papua New Guinea’s most vibrant cultural festivals.
The sing-sing is an annual festival where over 90 cultural groups showcase their tribal identity through music and dance. It’s an audiovisual spectacle, as many people don feathered headdresses, vibrant face paint, and intricately-decorated costumes to the beat of drums and rhythmic chants.
More than a way to entertain the crowd, it’s a powerful celebration of the country’s rich cultural diversity.
Cost: PGK300/pax (~S$93)
Event period: 16 – 17 Aug 2025
Address: Queen’s Park, Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
How to get there: 13min taxi ride from Kagamuga Airport (Google Maps)
12) Immerse yourself in the communities at Wahgi Valley
Photo credit: @roberto_pazzi_photo via Instagram
Learning about highland traditions is one of the most meaningful things to do in Papua New Guinea. From the Melpa people to the Huli tribe, the communities in the scenic Wahgi Valley have their own unique customs, passed down for generations.
You might just see them put on their traditional body paint, or hear stories from local guides and elders themselves — like the Melpa’s moka ceremonies, where tribes settle disputes through the ceremonial exchange of pigs and kina shells.
Huli people. Photo credit: @bgfoto.se via Instagram
Or learn about how Huli men spend months growing and shaping elaborate wigs made from their own hair, often as a rite of passage into adulthood.
*Note: It is highly-recommended to book a tour package to explore Waghi Valley. Contact Trans Niugini Tours or Paiya Tours for rates.
Waghi Valley
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: 4MJW+9W2, TSimil Wahgi, Jiwaka Province, PG
How to get there: 1hr 6min taxi ride from Kagamuga Airport (Google Maps)
13) Grab local souvenirs at Mount Hagen Market
Photo credit: Felix Enescu via Google Maps
For a literal taste of highland culture, make your way to the lively Mount Hagen Market, where locals from nearby villages sell a huge variety of fresh produce and handmade crafts.
According to many travellers, it’s also more affordable than a lot of other markets in Papua New Guinea, making it a great place to shop for souvenirs like bilums (handwoven bags) and meri blouses.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 7AM – 6PM (Mon – Fri), 7AM – 4:30PM (Sat), 7AM – 12PM (Sun)
Address: Hagen Market Street, Mount Hagen 281, Papua New Guinea
How to get there: 15min taxi ride from Kagamuga Airport (Google Maps)
Kickstarting your trip to Papua New Guinea
Photo credit: PNG Tourism Promotion Authority
If you’re after an unforgettable trip that’s also off-the-radar, then the charming little island of Papua New Guinea may surprise you with its raw beauty and rich culture.
It’s also packed with so many bucket list-worthy experiences — from hiking around active volcanoes to learning age-old traditions in the highlands, every region offers a new kind of adventure!
Photo credit: Changi Airport Group
Getting there from Singapore is easier than you might think: Air Niugini has been connecting Singapore to Papua New Guinea for over 45 years with 5x weekly flights.
Many remote regions like Mount Hagen and Rabaul are only accessible via flight or guided tours, with limited public transportation reaching places of interest.
For a smoother experience, we highly recommend booking a tour package instead. Air Niugini offers convenient bundles that include flights, accommodation, and activities — making it easy to explore Papua New Guinea without worrying about how to get to your next destination.
Here are some of the experiences that are included in their tour package (itinerary may vary):
| Destination | Attractions and Experiences |
| Port Moresby | – Ela Beach – Parliament Haus – APEC House – National Museum and Art Gallery – Port Moresby Nature Park |
| Rabaul | – Rabaul Volcanological Observatory – Dolphin-watching at sunrise – WWII Japanese Barge Tunnels – Baining Firedance |
| Mount Hagen | – Wahgi Valley tour – Visit to remote tribal villages |
*Pro-tip: Air Niugini’s tour packages will be available at the NATAS Fair from 15 to 17 August 2025. Learn more about the offer on the official website!
Which of these things to do in Papua New Guinea are you adding to your bucket list? Let us know in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by Changi Airport Group and Air Niugini.
