National Capital District · Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby

The capital of Papua New Guinea, between dry hills and Fairfax Harbour, with the National Museum, Parliament and the gateway to Varirata and the Kokoda Track.

Papua Region

In the photo: National Parliament, Port Moresby

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Port Moresby sits on the southern coast of the island of New Guinea, facing the Coral Sea, and is the entry point for almost all international flights to the country. The city forms the National Capital District, with its own administration, and spreads across bays and hills around Fairfax Harbour.

The Motu and the Koitabu are the original peoples of the area. In Waigani, the government district, you'll find the National Museum and Art Gallery, with masks, canoes and sculptures from all regions of the country, and the National Parliament, whose façade echoes the ceremonial houses of the Sepik. Nearby, the Port Moresby Nature Park displays birds-of-paradise, tree-kangaroos and cassowaries.

Second World War history is found at the Bomana War Cemetery, north of the city, and on the Sogeri plateau to the east, where Varirata National Park and Owers' Corner are located—the southern start of the Kokoda Track. On the waterfront, Ela Beach is the most visited promenade in the city centre.

For most travellers, Port Moresby is the first and last stop: domestic flights to the islands, the northern coast, the Sepik and Goroka depart from here, because the capital has no road connections to the rest of the country.

This destination brings together 1 city: Port Moresby.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Port Moresby is

Boundaries: Papua New Guinea National Statistics Office / OCHA ROAP / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Port Moresby

✈ Aeroporto Internacional Jacksons (POM) · 8 km to Port Moresby

Jacksons International Airport (POM) receives nonstop flights from Australia, from Asian cities such as Singapore, Manila and Hong Kong, and from Pacific islands. It is also the hub for domestic flights across the country. There is no road between Port Moresby and Lae, the Highlands or the northern coast.

Distrito da Capital Nacional · Port Moresby Capital

Port Moresby

Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and the arrival point for most international flights. In Waigani are the National Museum and Art Gallery and the National Parliament; nearby is the Port Moresby Nature Park. To the north, the Bomana War Cemetery commemorates those who died in the 1942 campaign, and in the city centre the Ela Beach waterfront is the most frequented promenade. To the east, on the Sogeri plateau, are Varirata National Park and Owers' Corner, where the Kokoda Track begins.

The local experience

Things to do in Port Moresby

Port Moresby · National Capital District · Museum

Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery

The country’s main museum in Waigani, with masks, canoes, shields, ceramics and sculptures from all provinces, natural history exhibits and Second World War relics.

Port Moresby · National Capital District · Historic building

Parliament House

Seat of Papua New Guinea’s Parliament, opened in 1984 in Waigani, with a façade inspired by Sepik ceremonial houses (haus tambaran).

Port Moresby · National Capital District · Park and zoo

Port Moresby Nature Park

Park with tropical gardens and New Guinea animals such as birds-of-paradise, cassowaries, hornbills and tree-kangaroos, with shaded trails and more than a hundred native plant species.

Port Moresby · National Capital District · War memorial

Bomana War Cemetery

The largest Allied war cemetery from World War II in Papua New Guinea, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with more than 3,800 graves, many from the Kokoda campaign.

See 3 more places in Port Moresby

Port Moresby · National Capital District · National park

Varirata National Park

National park on the Sogeri plateau, east of Port Moresby, with trails through forest, a coastal viewpoint and birdwatching, including the Raggiana bird-of-paradise.

Port Moresby · National Capital District · Memorial and trailhead

Owers' Corner

The southern start of the Kokoda Track, at the end of the Sogeri plateau road, with a memorial and views over the Goldie River valley and the Owen Stanley Range mountains.

Port Moresby · National Capital District · Waterfront

Ela Beach

Seafront promenade on the Coral Sea in central Port Moresby, with paths, shaded benches and weekend markets; more a place for a stroll than for swimming.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

It rains less in the capital than in much of Papua New Guinea. From May to November rainfall is lower and the skies are often clear; from December to April the wet season brings heavy downpours, heat and humidity. Temperatures vary little through the year.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One to two days are enough for the National Museum, the Parliament, the Port Moresby Nature Park and Bomana. With an extra day you can visit Varirata National Park and Owers' Corner on the Sogeri plateau. Many travellers spend one night on arrival and another on departure, between international and domestic flights.

Which city to stay in

Accommodation concentrates in three areas: the old centre and the waterfront, near Ela Beach and the harbour; Waigani, near the Parliament, the museum and government offices; and the airport area, convenient for those spending only one night between flights. Most places offer airport transfers and transport for excursions.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Port Moresby

How many days to stay in Port Moresby?

One or two days are usually enough for the museum, the Parliament, the Nature Park and the Bomana Cemetery. With a third day you can go up to the Sogeri plateau, to Varirata National Park and to Owers' Corner.

How to get around Port Moresby?

The city is spread out and not designed for walking between neighbourhoods. Visitors usually use hotel transport, hire a driver or book organised tours in advance.

Can you reach other regions from Port Moresby by road?

Not for the main ones. The capital has no road to Lae, the Highlands, the northern coast or the islands: those trips are done by plane. By road you can only reach nearby areas, such as the Sogeri plateau and the adjacent coastline.

What is the best time to visit Port Moresby?

From May to November, when it rains less. In the wet season, from December to April, downpours are often heavy, but museums and tours still operate.

Where to check travel advice before going to Papua New Guinea?

Several governments publish travel advice for Papua New Guinea, with guidance by region. Check your country's recommendations before buying the trip and before each move, and prepare the trip in advance with accommodation and transport booked.

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Port Moresby

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.