East New Britain · Papua New Guinea

Rabaul and Kokopo

The Rabaul caldera and the Tavurvur volcano, the tunnels and bunker of the Japanese World War II base, and the masks of the Tolai and the Baining, on New Britain.

Islands Region

In the photo: Dawapia Rocks, Rabaul

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.

Rabaul and Kokopo lie on the Gazelle Peninsula at the far eastern end of New Britain island. Rabaul was built by the Germans around Simpson Harbour, inside a volcanic caldera flooded by the sea and ringed with cones. On September 19, 1994, Tavurvur and Vulcan erupted at the same time, and ash covered much of the town; the provincial capital moved to Kokopo, about 20 km away.

During World War II, Rabaul was the main Japanese base in the South Pacific, with more than 100,000 troops in 1943. The tunnels dug to protect men, barges and ammunition, Admiral Yamamoto’s bunker, and the planes and ships sunk in the harbour make the area one of the richest sites of Pacific War remains. In Kokopo, the War and Cultural Museum and the Bita Paka War Cemetery complete that history.

The Tolai, people of the peninsula, keep the masked dancers duk-duk and tubuan, and the Baining perform the fire dance at night with giant masks. In July, the National Mask and Warwagira Festival brings together groups from the province and other parts of the country.

Tavurvur remains active, and an observatory monitors the volcanoes. Part of Rabaul is still inhabited, and Kokopo now concentrates lodging and services.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Kokopo, Rabaul.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Rabaul and Kokopo is

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

How to get there: Rabaul and Kokopo

✈ Aeroporto de Tokua (Rabaul) (RAB), in Tokua · 12 km to Kokopo

Flights from Port Moresby and other cities arrive at Tokua Airport (RAB), east of Kokopo. From Tokua, roads lead to Kokopo and Rabaul. Ash from Tavurvur can close the airport for several days.

Suggested arrival point: Kokopo

Nova Bretanha Oriental · Rabaul and Kokopo Capital Suggested arrival point

Kokopo

Kokopo has been the capital of East New Britain since 1994, when eruptions of Tavurvur and Vulcan covered Rabaul in ash. In the German era it was called Herbertshöhe and was the capital of German New Guinea until 1910. It lies on the shore of Blanche Bay, near Tokua Airport, and concentrates the region’s lodging. The War and Cultural Museum of Kokopo is in town, and to the south is the Bita Paka War Cemetery.

Nova Bretanha Oriental · Rabaul and Kokopo

Rabaul

Rabaul lies within a volcanic caldera flooded by the sea, surrounding Simpson Harbour. The town was buried in ash during the 1994 eruption and is gradually rebuilding. There you can find the still-active Tavurvur volcano and the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory, which overlooks the caldera. From the time when Rabaul was the main Japanese base in the South Pacific remain Admiral Yamamoto’s bunker and the Japanese barge tunnels cut into the rock at Karavia Bay.

The local experience

Things to do in Rabaul and Kokopo

Kokopo · East New Britain · Museum

Kokopo War and Cultural Museum

An open-air and indoor museum near Kokopo’s waterfront, with tanks, guns, wrecked aircraft, weapons and photographs of the Japanese occupation, and a collection of cultural objects from New Britain.

Rabaul · East New Britain · Volcano

Mount Tavurvur

An active volcanic cone on the rim of the Rabaul caldera that erupted in 1994 together with the nearby Vulcan; it continues intermittent activity and is surrounded by ash fields and hot springs.

Kokopo · East New Britain · War memorial

Bita Paka War Cemetery

Commonwealth war cemetery south of Kokopo, on a lawn ringed by forest, with more than a thousand graves of Allied soldiers who died in New Britain and New Ireland.

Rabaul · East New Britain · Viewpoint

Rabaul Volcanological Observatory

An observatory that monitors the caldera volcanoes of Rabaul, located atop a hill above the town, with views of Simpson Harbour, Tavurvur and Vulcan.

See 2 more places in Rabaul and Kokopo

Rabaul · East New Britain · Historic site

Admiral Yamamoto's Bunker

A World War II concrete shelter in Rabaul used by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, with command rooms and regional maps on the walls, located opposite the former New Guinea Club.

Rabaul · East New Britain · Historic site

Japanese Barge Tunnels

Tunnels dug by the Japanese on the slope of Karavia Bay, between Rabaul and Kokopo, to hide landing barges from air attacks; the main tunnel shelters the remains of five barges lined up.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

It is hot and rains frequently year-round, with heavier rain from December to March. Between May and October, rainfall usually decreases somewhat. The National Mask and Warwagira Festival takes place in July.

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

How many days to stay

Three or four days: one for Rabaul, with Tavurvur, the observatory and the bunker; one for the barges’ tunnels, the Kokopo museum and Bita Paka; and one for diving in Simpson Harbour or for a cultural performance.

Which city to stay in

Kokopo concentrates most of the lodging, along the shore of Blanche Bay and near the town center. In Rabaul there are few options, near the harbour and the rebuilt area. Accommodations organize tours to the volcanoes and to the war sites.

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 Rabaul and Kokopo

How many days to spend in Rabaul and Kokopo?

Three or four days are enough for the volcanoes, the tunnels and the war bunker, the Kokopo museum and Bita Paka. With more time you can add diving in the harbour and cultural performances.

Stay in Rabaul or Kokopo?

Kokopo, the provincial capital, has most of the accommodations and services. Rabaul is about 20 km away and is visited on day trips from Kokopo.

Is the Tavurvur volcano still active?

Yes. Tavurvur has had intermittent eruptions since 1994 and is monitored by the Rabaul Volcano Observatory. How close you can get depends on the volcano’s conditions and is done with local guides.

When is the National Mask Festival?

In July, in East New Britain, featuring the Tolai duk-duk and tubuan dancers, the Baining fire dance, and groups from other provinces. Check the dates for each year.

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Rabaul and Kokopo

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.