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Viewpoint · Rabaul, East New Britain
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.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Rabaul Volcanological Observatory
The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory is the government body that monitors the caldera’s volcanoes and others in the country. It sits atop a hill above the town in a position that allows views across the entire caldera.
From the lookout in front of the observatory you can see Simpson Harbour, the rebuilt town, Tavurvur smoking on the east rim and Vulcan across the bay. It’s a good spot to understand the caldera’s geography and the scale of the 1994 eruption.
The observatory’s scientists monitor tremors and volcanic emissions and issue alerts to the public. That monitoring made it possible to evacuate the town in time in 1994.
The lookout stop is usually part of Rabaul tours, near the end of the route, with afternoon light over the caldera.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes at the lookout.
Best time
Late afternoon, with low light over the caldera, or early morning when the air is clearer.
How to get there
It sits atop a hill above Rabaul, reachable by road, and is often the last stop on tours of the town.
Tip
Ask your guide about Tavurvur’s current status before heading to the volcano: the observatory tracks activity day by day.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Rabaul Volcanological Observatory
What can you see from the Rabaul observatory?
The entire caldera: Simpson Harbour, the town, Tavurvur on the eastern rim and Vulcan on the other side of the bay.
What is the Rabaul observatory for?
To monitor tremors and volcanic emissions and issue alerts to the population. This work allowed the town to be evacuated in time in 1994.
Is the Rabaul observatory open to the public?
The viewpoint in front of the observatory is a common stop on Rabaul tours. Entry to the facilities depends on authorization from the observatory itself.