10 Best Things to Do in Papua New Guinea

Looking for what to do in Papua New Guinea? This is one of the most culturally rich and geographically dramatic countries on earth — a place of jagged mountains, active volcanoes, dense rainforest, coral-fringed islands and hundreds of distinct languages and traditions. Travelling here is not about polished resorts; it’s about raw landscapes, village life, community festivals and journeys that feel like true expeditions.

From trekking the Kokoda Track and visiting remote Highlands communities to drifting along the Sepik River, diving coral-rich reefs, exploring World War II history and experiencing extraordinary cultural shows, Papua New Guinea rewards adventurous travellers who are willing to go beyond the usual tourist trail. Here are the 10 best things to do in Papua New Guinea, crafted to help you explore the country with depth and respect.

1. Explore Port Moresby and the Surrounding Coast

Port Moresby, the capital, is the main gateway to Papua New Guinea and the starting point for most journeys. While often seen only as a transit stop, it offers several worthwhile attractions that help you understand the country’s diversity.

Visit the National Museum and Art Gallery to see traditional carvings, masks, totem poles and artefacts from different regions, giving you a glimpse into PNG’s many cultures. Nearby, the Parliament House combines modern architecture with traditional motifs. For nature and local life, the Port Moresby Nature Park houses native wildlife and beautifully landscaped gardens, while Ela Beach and nearby coastal viewpoints reveal the country’s tropical setting. Use the city as a base to organise domestic flights and guided trips into more remote areas.

2. Trek the Historic Kokoda Track

The Kokoda Track is Papua New Guinea’s most famous trek — a challenging, multi-day trail through steep jungle-clad mountains that follows the route of World War II battles between Australian and Japanese forces. Today, it’s both a physical test and a powerful historical pilgrimage.

Guided expeditions take you across ridges, through villages, over rivers and past memorials and battle sites. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into the local communities who live in these remote valleys and into the complex history that shaped modern PNG. The trek is demanding, with muddy slopes and high humidity, but the combination of scenery, culture and history makes it one of the most meaningful experiences in the Pacific.

3. Experience the Highlands: Goroka, Mount Hagen and Village Life

The Highlands are the cultural heartland of Papua New Guinea, home to fertile valleys, terraced gardens, misty mountains and communities where traditional dress, body paint and ceremonial dances are still part of everyday life. Towns like Goroka and Mount Hagen serve as gateways to surrounding villages and spectacular landscapes.

Stay in a lodge or guesthouse and join guided visits to local communities, where you may see sing-sing performances (group dances in full traditional regalia), learn about subsistence gardening, pig exchanges and bride-price traditions, and witness how modern life mixes with age-old customs. Highland markets are vibrant places to see colourful bilums (woven bags), fresh produce and local crafts.

4. Attend a Cultural Show: Goroka Show or Mount Hagen Show

If your visit coincides with one of PNG’s major cultural festivals, such as the Goroka Show or Mount Hagen Show, you’ll see one of the most spectacular displays of traditional culture in the world. Hundreds of performers from many different tribes gather in one place, each group wearing distinctive headdresses, face paints, feathers, shells and grass skirts.

Throughout the day, groups perform sing-sing dances, drum rhythms and ceremonies that showcase their identity and stories. The atmosphere is electric, with colour, movement and music all around you. These events are also opportunities for local communities to meet, trade and celebrate together.

5. Journey Along the Sepik River and Visit Spirit Houses

The Sepik River region, in the north of the country, is famous for its artistic traditions and river-based way of life. Long wooden canoes glide along the water past stilted villages, while dense vegetation lines the banks.

Multi-day boat trips take you from village to village, where you’ll encounter spirit houses (haus tambaran) adorned with intricate carvings and masks, each representing ancestral spirits and clan histories. Local artisans carve crocodiles, birds and human figures into wood, producing some of the most sought-after tribal art in the Pacific. A journey on the Sepik is slow and immersive, offering a rare look into river cultures relatively unchanged by mass tourism.

6. Dive or Snorkel the Reefs of Kimbe Bay, Milne Bay and New Ireland

Papua New Guinea is a dream destination for divers, with reefs rich in coral, fish and pelagic life. Regions like Kimbe Bay (New Britain), Milne Bay (in the southeast) and the waters around New Ireland offer some of the healthiest, most biodiverse coral ecosystems in the world.

Expect steep walls covered in soft corals, seamounts swirling with schooling fish, macro life hiding among the reef and frequent sightings of reef sharks, turtles and barracuda. World War II wrecks, including planes and ships, add a historical dimension to many dive sites. Even non-divers can enjoy snorkelling in sheltered lagoons where colourful fish and corals are within arm’s reach.

7. Explore Rabaul and the Volcanoes of East New Britain

Rabaul, on the island of New Britain, sits in a dramatic caldera surrounded by active and dormant volcanoes. The town has been repeatedly reshaped by eruptions, most notably in 1994, which buried much of the old centre in ash. Today, visiting Rabaul and neighbouring Kokopo reveals both natural power and remarkable resilience.

Climb or drive to viewpoints overlooking the smoking cone of Tavurvur, visit hot springs on the coast, explore wartime tunnels and bunkers, and take in panoramic views of the harbour filled with fishing boats and distant peaks. The stark, ash-covered landscapes combined with lush surrounding vegetation create a striking contrast.

8. Discover Tufi’s Fjords, Reefs and Village Culture

Tufi, on the northeast coast of the mainland, is famed for its “fjords” — deep, narrow inlets carved into volcanic cliffs and lined with rainforest. From lodges perched above the water, you can kayak or take boat trips into these tranquil channels, where villages sit tucked into the hillsides and local fishermen paddle traditional outrigger canoes.

Offshore, colourful reefs teem with life, making Tufi a strong destination for both divers and snorkellers. Cultural visits to nearby villages reveal traditional tattooing, tapa cloth making and everyday coastal life in one of PNG’s most scenic corners.

9. Visit Coastal Towns and Islands: Madang, Kavieng and More

Beyond the big-name regions, smaller coastal towns like Madang and Kavieng offer gentle, less-visited experiences of Papua New Guinea’s seascapes. Madang is known for its peninsulas, offshore islands and dive sites, as well as its mix of German colonial history and local culture.

Kavieng, at the tip of New Ireland, is a laid-back town surrounded by clear water ideal for surfing (in season), diving, fishing and island-hopping to tiny communities where life follows the rhythm of tides and trade winds. These quieter areas suit travellers who want to combine cultural encounters with easy access to the ocean.

10. Experience Everyday Life and Markets in Towns and Villages

Some of the most memorable moments in Papua New Guinea come from simple, unscripted experiences: chatting with market vendors, watching children play rugby in dusty fields, listening to church choirs on Sundays or seeing entire communities gather for ceremonies and celebrations.

Local markets are filled with sweet potatoes, taro, bananas, betel nut, leafy greens and handmade crafts. Travelling respectfully — with local guides, appropriate dress and a willingness to listen — opens doors to conversations and connections that reveal the warmth and complexity of life in PNG. It’s these human encounters that often stay with travellers long after the peaks, rivers and reefs fade into memory.