Top five things to do in Port Morseby
Thursday 2 July, 2020
As the entry point to all the wonders of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby provides a fascinating insight into the nation’s culture and natural beauty.
The capital is the home to the country’s seat of government in addition to a growing list of tourist attractions and historical landmarks.
If you find yourself in Port Moresby, here are the top five things to do.
Parliament Haus
Located in Waigani, Parliament Haus is one of PNG’s most stunning and culturally significant buildings. First opened in 1984 the building’s exterior reflects a Maprik Haus Tambaran design (the house of spirits from East Sepik Province), but throughout iconic motifs of different areas of PNG abound.
Parliament Haus lies within stunning gardens, is open to the public for tours, and draws on both traditional and modern architecture.
Image via Capture The Moment – PNG
Port Moresby Nature Park
Located next to the University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby Nature Park has established itself as one of the capital’s leading destinations for both tourists and Port Moresby residents.
Beautifully maintained and set amidst tropical landscaped gardens, the park started out as the National Botanical Gardens in 1975, and in 2012 became the Port Moresby Nature Park.
Spanning 30 acres, its residents include PNG’s renowned Birds of Paradise, tree kangaroos, cassowaries, reptiles, and parrots, while there is also a focus on culture.
Ela Beach
After undergoing a major redevelopment, Port Moresby’s flagship Ela Beach has emerged as a tourism drawcard for leisure and relaxation.
Featuring three distinct areas, Ela Beach boasts a cultural hub, a family beach, playgrounds, and sports facilities, in addition to a recreational park area.
The popular beach precinct is now home to weekly markets and also showcases the spectacular APEC Haus, which was completed in 2018.
The Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery
Known as the “spiritual house” for the rich natural, cultural and contemporary heritage of the country, the main premises of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery in Waigani, Port Moresby, showcase and preserve around 100,000 items of significance ranging from relics that date back 50,000 years to contemporary art.
The collection includes anthropological artefacts, archaeological items, war relics and art.
Photo via Andrew Conroy (IG)
Bomana War Cemetery
Just 19km from Port Moresby lies the Bomana War Cemetery – the largest war cemetery in the Pacific region.
First established in 1942 while fighting continued in the Pacific, Bomana War Cemetery is the final resting place of over 3824 Commonwealth servicemen, 699 of whom are unidentified. The majority of those laid here are Australians who lost their lives in campaigns staged throughout Papua and Bougainville.
With row upon row of neat, beautifully maintained white headstones, Bomana is a stark reminder of the price of war and is a place where many come to reflect.
About Paga Hill Estate
Paga Hill Estate is a world-class, master-planned estate in the heart of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The waterfront site is the first comprehensively planned multi-use development in Papua New Guinea to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike.
The all-inclusive development will include vibrant public spaces and waterfront promenade, luxury hotels, residential apartments, restaurants, retail, commercial space, a Trade, Exhibition & Cultural Centre, restoration of WWII relics, marina precinct and a nearby international cruise liner terminal.
