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The Islands
The main islands are New Britain, New Ireland and the Manus group (together comprising the Bismarck Archipelago), the northernmost Solomon Islands of Bougainville and Buka, and an eastern group of islands including the Trobriand and D’Entrecasteaux Islands.
NEW BRITAIN: Rabaul on New Britain is the capital of the island and suffered extensive damage, owing to volcanic activity a few years back. During the eruptions most of the town was destroyed and the inhabitants were evacuated to other parts of the island. Rabaul used to be renowned for the Gunantabu (the remains of Queen Emma’s residence) with her private cemetery; the remains of the German Government House on Namanula Hill; a 576km (360-mile) underground tunnel system left by the Japanese; the Admirals Bunker, now a museum; an orchid park; and Rabaul Market, which is famous throughout the South Pacific. New Britain is one of the most popular islands for diving and there are many diving boats available.
NEW IRELAND & MANUS: New Ireland and the Manus group of islands are off the general tourist trail. In the northwestern islands of the latter group there are no trees. The islanders have a tradition of making sea-going canoes out of logs that float down the Sepik into the surrounding ocean.
NORTH SOLOMONS: Bougainville and Buka are separated by a narrow channel of islets. Before Bougainville was closed to visitors, tourists were well catered for with activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, game fishing and swimming as well bushwalking, caving expeditions, a six-hour downhill hike from Panguna to Arawa and a three-day jungle trek to the summit of Mount Balbi, a dormant volcano. For details about visiting this area as well as the nearby Butterfly Farm in Kerei Village, contact the Tourism Promotion Authority (see Contact Addresses section). Relics of Japanese and German occupation abound throughout Papua New Guinea and visitors will have no trouble finding them. The wreck of Admiral Yamamoto’s plane in the rainforest of Buin is perhaps one of the most interesting.
MILNE BAY: The islands offshore from Bougainville are lined with white sandy beaches. The Trobriands are the most accessible of the groups of islands in Milne Bay Province, but tourists might feel slightly less welcome than in the main tourist areas. As elsewhere in the islands, swimming and snorkelling enthusiasts are well catered for. The harvesting of yams from May to September is accompanied by extended rituals and celebrations which peak in the months of July and August. The mountainous D’Entrecasteaux Islands rise out of the sea. In the centre of Goodenough Island there is a large stone decorated with mysterious paintings.
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