Papua New Guinea
A journey of discovery is what you can expect on a visit to Papua New Guinea. Take a trek along the infamous Kokoda Trail, snorkel among gorgeous reefs teeming with unique marine life and discover the island’s distinctive tribal culture on a trip up to the Highlands. Culturally and geographically rich, Papua New Guinea offers a rewarding experience for all kinds traveller.
Book a cruise to Papua New Guinea and discover a side to Australia's neighbours you might otherwise have never known.
New Guinea Island Encounter
7 night cruise sailing from Cairns aboard the Pacific Explorer.
Departs
27 Nov 2021
from
$1097*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
8 night cruise sailing from Cairns aboard the Pacific Explorer.
Departs
19 Nov 2021
from
$1146*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
11 night cruise sailing from Sydney, Australia aboard the Pacific Adventure.
Departs
07 Dec 2020
from
$1322*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
10 night cruise sailing from Brisbane aboard the Pacific Dawn.
Departs
22 Feb 2020
from
$1424*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
10 night cruise sailing from Brisbane aboard the Pacific Explorer.
Departs
02 Jun 2021
from
$1496*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
10 night cruise sailing from Brisbane aboard the Pacific Dawn.
Departs
26 Aug 2020
from
$1511*
per person twin share
per person twin share
Papua New Guinea
10 night cruise sailing from Brisbane aboard the Carnival Spirit.
Departs
21 Nov 2021
from
$1521*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
10 night cruise sailing from Brisbane aboard the Pacific Dawn.
Departs
17 Oct 2020
from
$1611*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
12 night cruise sailing from Sydney, Australia aboard the Pacific Adventure.
Departs
02 Aug 2021
from
$1620*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
10 night cruise sailing from Brisbane aboard the Pacific Explorer.
Departs
06 Oct 2021
from
$1694*
per person twin share
per person twin share
New Guinea Island Encounter
10 night cruise sailing from Brisbane aboard the Pacific Explorer.
Departs
18 Aug 2021
from
$1694*
per person twin share
per person twin share
Solomon Sea Islands
10 night cruise sailing from Cairns aboard the Pacific Explorer.
Departs
09 Nov 2021
from
$1695*
per person twin share
per person twin share
Destination Overview
Papua New Guinea is located in the Oceania region north of Australia, and encompasses the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, as well as several offshore islands.
The nation gained its independence from Australia in 1975 and thanks to its strong mining and resource sectors, Papua New Guinea now boasts one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
An astonishingly disparate nation, Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the world. Of the more than 820 indigenous languages spoken throughout this small island nation, Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu are the most commonly used, with less than two per cent of the indigenous population speaking English.
Papua New Guinea’s unique attractions will no doubt inspire, however visitors should note that tourism infrastructure is minimal outside of the main cities, so considered preparations should always be taken before travelling to the nation's more remote areas.
- Currency - Kina (PGK)
- Population - approx. 7,800,000
- Time Zone - UTC+10
Did you know..?
That many of the Highlands provinces were not mapped until the 1930s and remained ungoverned until the late-1960s.
Who goes there?
Major lines P&O Australia, Princess Cruises and Cunard are the main big-ship cruises departing from Australia, and their itineraries are often planned to coincide with popular Papua New Guinea festivals. Unique expedition-style cruising is also available throughout the year on APT and Linblad-Expeditions.
Best time to go?
While Papua New Guinea’s lush Highlands can get chilly, the rest of the country sports a tropical climate all year round. The wet season takes place between the months of December and March, so if you are planning to undertake some hiking or would like to do a little snorkelling, the best months to visit are generally June through to September.
Highlights
Papua New Guinea offers a very different kind of travel experience, making it a unique destination for even the most world-weary of visitors.
- During the months of October and November, visitors can take part in the annual Canoe and Kundu Festival, where beautifully adorned canoes race to the beat of Kundu drums
- Take a trip to the rejuvenated town of Rabaul, which was almost destroyed in 1994 by a monumental volcanic eruption from nearby Mount Tavurvur
- Doini Island’s glorious white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters make it a haven for snorkellers, with the nearby reefs teeming with exotic marine life.