Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea, or PNG for short, is the eastern half of the island of New Guinea. The western half is the West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) Province of Indonesia. PNG lies south of the equator, about 150 kilometres north of Australia. The country is made up of the mainland which is part of New Guinea Island (the second largest island in the world after Greenland) and nearly 700 islands which are scattered off the mainland.
Until 1975, PNG was an Australian colony while its previous years saw occupation and settlement by the Dutch, British, German and Japanese. Today, PNG is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and follows the Westminster system of government with a Prime Minister and a Governor General as Head of State representing the Queen of England. PNG’s population currently stands at 5.1 million people with around 15 percent of the population living in the 10 major urban areas.
There are 19 provinces, each governed by a Provincial Government which have similar constitutional arrangements to the National Government and have concurrent power with the latter in areas such as agriculture, business development, town planning, forestry and natural resources. National laws, however, take precedence over provincial laws.
PNG is one of the world’s most interesting tourist destinations due to its history, diverse cultures and languages, pristine underwater world, dense tropical rainforests, unique and exotic plants, flowers, trees, birds and wildlife. PNG is truly “last frontier” territory and nowhere is this description more fitting than in its rugged interior with its dense tropical jungles, high intervening mountains, deep valleys and gorges and fast flowing rivers and a people whose lives have not been heavily impacted by civilization.
Until 1975, PNG was an Australian colony while its previous years saw occupation and settlement by the Dutch, British, German and Japanese. Today, PNG is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and follows the Westminster system of government with a Prime Minister and a Governor General as Head of State representing the Queen of England. PNG’s population currently stands at 5.1 million people with around 15 percent of the population living in the 10 major urban areas.
There are 19 provinces, each governed by a Provincial Government which have similar constitutional arrangements to the National Government and have concurrent power with the latter in areas such as agriculture, business development, town planning, forestry and natural resources. National laws, however, take precedence over provincial laws.
PNG is one of the world’s most interesting tourist destinations due to its history, diverse cultures and languages, pristine underwater world, dense tropical rainforests, unique and exotic plants, flowers, trees, birds and wildlife. PNG is truly “last frontier” territory and nowhere is this description more fitting than in its rugged interior with its dense tropical jungles, high intervening mountains, deep valleys and gorges and fast flowing rivers and a people whose lives have not been heavily impacted by civilization.
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Much of PNG’s land mass of approximately 470,000 square kilometers is pristine, untouched territory, isolated by history and geography and providing the perfect playground for culture, adventure and nature enthusiasts. From the PNG Highlands, to the Islands, to the Sepik and the Coast, there is a unique adventure, waiting to be experienced, whatever your travel needs may be.
In Papua New Guinea, you can walk down memory lane and honour the courage and bravery of world war heroes when you visit cemeteries and war relics in the form of wrecked planes, ships, ammunitions, intricate tunnel systems, bunkers and monuments. For the cultural enthusiasts, some of PNG’s major and unique cultural extravaganzas include the Goroka, Mt Hagen, Wabag, Hiri Moale Shows and Mask Festivals which provide a sample of PNG’s 800 unique cultures and 700 languages which are showcased in songs, dances and rituals. To be in touch with nature, you can take a cruise up and down the 1000-kilometre long Sepik River which is home to some of the best and most intricate primitive arts and crafts in PNG, represented by face masks, wood carvings, baskets, traditional “haus tambarans” (spirit houses) and skin cutting ceremonies. Bird watchers will not be left disappointed as PNG is home to 38 of the 43 known species of the bird of paradise, hundreds of endemic orchid species and tropical fishes and corals, found in its popular and natural dive sites. |
For the avid trekker, PNG does not disappoint as there is a choice of unique treks and climbs including Mt Wilhelm, which at 4506 meters is PNG’s highest peak and the historically significant 96km Kokoda Trail/Track, which runs along the Owen Stanley range between Port Moresby’s Sogeri Plateau to Kokoda in Oro (formerly Northern) Province.
Climate
There are two seasons in PNG. It’s either wet or dry throughout the country at different times of the year. Coastal areas experience temperatures that range between 24 to 35 degrees celcius with high humidity. In the cooler Highlands, you can expect anything between 12 to 28 degrees celcius and with less humidity. The wet season is normally from November to March. The Kokoda Track trekking season usually has a short break during the December to February months when the Owen Stanley Ranges are too wet.
Language
PNG has about 800 languages and most Papua New Guineans speak at least two languages. The official national language is English and the two other most commonly used languages are Hiri Motu and Tok Pisin. Most porters will speak English, Motu and one other local language. Always ask if you do no understand what’s being said, and if you ask a local a question and they don't understand, they may answer "yes" even though they don't understand.
Local Customs
You should be aware that the traditional custom of 'payback' is often practised in Papua New Guinea. Australians who engage in illegal or inappropriate sexual or financial relations run the risk of extrajudicial responses from offended parties. Demands for compensation for property damage, including to livestock, are common. There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Papua New Guinea. You should take care not to offend. You should seek permission before taking photographs of individuals and cultural sites (for example, spirit houses).
Time
Papua New Guinea is on the same time as winter time in Sydney, Australia, or Eastern Standard Time (EST) in Australia.
Travel Advice: www.smartraveller.gov.au
There are two seasons in PNG. It’s either wet or dry throughout the country at different times of the year. Coastal areas experience temperatures that range between 24 to 35 degrees celcius with high humidity. In the cooler Highlands, you can expect anything between 12 to 28 degrees celcius and with less humidity. The wet season is normally from November to March. The Kokoda Track trekking season usually has a short break during the December to February months when the Owen Stanley Ranges are too wet.
Language
PNG has about 800 languages and most Papua New Guineans speak at least two languages. The official national language is English and the two other most commonly used languages are Hiri Motu and Tok Pisin. Most porters will speak English, Motu and one other local language. Always ask if you do no understand what’s being said, and if you ask a local a question and they don't understand, they may answer "yes" even though they don't understand.
Local Customs
You should be aware that the traditional custom of 'payback' is often practised in Papua New Guinea. Australians who engage in illegal or inappropriate sexual or financial relations run the risk of extrajudicial responses from offended parties. Demands for compensation for property damage, including to livestock, are common. There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Papua New Guinea. You should take care not to offend. You should seek permission before taking photographs of individuals and cultural sites (for example, spirit houses).
Time
Papua New Guinea is on the same time as winter time in Sydney, Australia, or Eastern Standard Time (EST) in Australia.
Travel Advice: www.smartraveller.gov.au
 Traditional masks |
 The Mud Men of Asaro |
