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Province · Papua Region
Gulf
The Gulf is the land of Papua New Guinea’s great deltas: the Purari and Kikori rivers, the mangroves of the Gulf of Papua and the masks of the coastal peoples.
In the photo: Kikori River
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know Gulf
Gulf Province covers the coast of the Gulf of Papua, west of the capital. It is a region of wide rivers, mangroves and flooded forests, where the deltas of the Purari, the Kikori and other rivers flow down from the mountains to the sea. The capital, Kerema, sits on a bay on the province’s eastern coast.
The peoples of the Gulf live in riverside and coastal villages, many of them on stilts, and travel by canoe and boat. Sago, taken from the trunk of a palm, is the basis of the diet, and it was this sago that the Motu from Port Moresby used to fetch on the hiri voyages, trading it for pottery.
The Gulf coast is known for its ceremonial masks, such as the large hevehe masks of the Elema, made of barkcloth over wooden frames, and for the tall ceremonial houses of the villages. Objects from these traditions are in the National Museum in Port Moresby.
Tourism in the province is small and depends on contact with communities and local operators. Trips along the rivers and to the villages take time because transport is by boat and small plane, and should be arranged before you go.
When to go
The climate is hot and humid year-round, with frequent rain; the province is among the rainiest in the country. The months from May to October, with southeast winds, usually bring rougher seas in the gulf; the calmest season for navigation varies from river to river. Arrange your trip with local operators.
Getting there
Kerema has a runway for small planes, with flights from Port Moresby, and part of the province is reached by road and boat from the coast northwest of the capital. Kikori and the delta villages are reached by small plane or by boat. Connections are limited: confirm flights and transport before you go.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Gulf
What is the hiri voyage?
It was the annual voyage of the Motu, from the Port Moresby region to the Gulf of Papua in large sailing canoes called lakatoi. They took pottery and returned with sago and timber. The Hiri Moale Festival in Port Moresby celebrates these voyages.
How do you travel along the Gulf’s rivers?
By boat and canoe between riverside villages, with support from communities and local operators. Distances are long, transport is irregular and the weather changes quickly. Plan the trip in advance and arrange a guide, boat and accommodation ahead of time.
What are hevehe masks?
They are tall ceremonial masks of the Elema, a coastal people of the Gulf, made of barkcloth over wooden frames and painted with designs that represent spirits. They featured in long ceremonial cycles. Examples are in the National Museum in Port Moresby.
Can you drive from Port Moresby to Gulf Province?
Part of the route along the coast northwest of the capital is by road, but the connection is long and depends on the condition of bridges and rain. For Kerema, a small plane is often the most practical option, and the deltas are only reached by boat or plane.