Often overlooked by tourists, Port Moresby is a city well worth a visit if you're interested in exploring the history and culture of Papua New Guinea. As the country's capital you will soon find that Port Moresby is home to a number of impressive sites. No travel itinerary to the city could be complete without a trip to Parliament Haus, opened by Prince Charles in 1984. The mosaic façade, which features some motifs of Papa New Guinea, is a focal point for photographers visiting this iconic building. Considering 'Haus' is German for 'House' you can immediately see how the city's past has influenced it to become the place that it is today. Delve further back in history by taking a trip to the National Museum and Art Gallery, where you can learn more about the colonial and postcolonial history of the country. For fresh air and green spaces head outside to the National Botanical Gardens that span 25 hectares! A pocket of greenery in this bustling metropolis, the Botanical Gardens feature impressive orchid collections and various birds of paradise. For those who like to fit in some retail therapy on their journeys, you can enjoy a variety of shopping experiences in Port Moresby. Why not visit one of the craft markets and explore the authentic clothing and accessories, or head over to the PNG Arts, which offers visitors the chance to explore an array of arts and crafts in a huge warehouse style interior. Another point of interest has got to be the Hanuabada, meaning 'Big Village'. Here you can see a collection of houses built on stilts over the Moresby Harbour, which tell of the city's history and early inhabitants.
Port Moresby overview
When to fly to Port Moresby
Weather-wise Port Moresby experiences little variation throughout the year. November and December are typically the warmest months whilst you can expect to experience slightly lower temperatures from June through to August. Since the city lies a mere two degrees south of the equator, daily sunrise and sunset remains pretty constant the whole year round, which is something to be mindful of when planning your day's activities.
Getting around Port Moresby
It is often recommended to travel around Port Moresby via taxi. Carry out some research before your trip to determine which taxi companies are of good repute to ensure that you won't fall foul of scam artists prying on tourists when you arrive here. Public motor vehicles (mini buses) are another option for those looking to make the most of their trip here - find one with your destination shown on the front or ask the driver for help if you are unsure which bus to take.