New Britain
The largest island of Papua New Guinea, New Britain is a land of fiery volcanoes, unspoiled corals, and rainforests sheathed in mist. During World War II, New Britain was the site of fierce fighting between Imperial Japanese and Allied forces, each seeking to establish supremacy over the surrounding seas. As such, the area is home to a series of wrecks, derelict aircraft, and underground tunnels. The region today is a calm, picturesque area, the tranquility shattered only by an occasional volcanic eruption.
Experiences
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
Baia Sports Fishing Lodge
Gather at the Baia Sports Fishing Lodge, located on the northern coast of New Britain. While snorkeling and boat trips are available through the lodge, the main activity, as the name suggests, centers mainly around fishing; three types of bass swim within the river. More adventurous anglers may wish to try offshore fishing in the nearby seas.
Baining Mountains
Hike the rugged, isolated Baining Mountains, home to a series of villages inhabited by tribes indigenous to Papua New Guinea. For the complete experience, stay the night accompanied by your guide in a villager’s home.
Helicopter Over Volcanoes
Fly by helicopter over Tavurvur and Vulcan, two looming picturesque volcanoes that erupted spectacularly in 1994. While today they are quiet, the 1994 eruption caused the evacuation of Rabaul, then the provincial capital, and spewed smoke and ash 60,000 feet (18,288 meters) into the air. Admire the forbidding splendor of the two volcanoes from the air, especially the giant, steaming caldera within Tavurvur.
Japanese Tunnels
Visit the extensive, maze-like tunnels in and around Rabaul’s harbor, which measure 435 miles (700 kilometers) in total length. Dug by the Japanese to protect themselves from aerial bombardment, these tunnels include barracks and sleeping quarters, hospitals, and even hiding places for vehicles and barges.
Mount Garbuna
Despite being an active volcano, Mount Garbuna is an excellent hike. Because of its periodic eruptions, the area around the volcano is lush and verdant – due to the incredibly fertile volcanic ash ejected from Garbuna during each eruption. After you reach the top, gaze upon the surrounding forests and lowlands; on a clear day, hikers can see all the way to the coast.
Reef Diving
Make your way to Kimbe, a rapidly expanding harbor city overlooking the idyllic waves of the South Pacific. With over 900 species of fish and 400 species of coral, all situated in famously clear waters, Kimbe is an ideal location for intermediate and advanced divers.
Wreck Diving
During World War II, Rabaul, then the capital of New Britain province, served as a naval base and was the site of many battles. As a result, the nearby waters are littered with the hulks of sunken ships and shattered aircraft. Of particular interest is a Mitsubishi Zero fighter plane, which lies in 56 feet (17 meters) of water, nestled amidst rocks on the shallow sea floor, and overgrown with corals, barnacles, and other marine life.
Papua New Guinea Regions
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.
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Why Remote Lands?
Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Eternal Flames: the Fire Dancers of Papua New Guinea
- Author
- Rick Lunt
In Baining culture the Fire Dance is performed on various special occasions, including the birth of new children in the village, remembering the dead, as well as being a coming of age ceremony for young men entering adulthood.
Boys’ Trip in Papua New Guinea
- Author
- Remote Lands
Planning an adventurous getaway with the guys? Looking for a destination to challenge and amaze you? Why not get off the beaten path and check out one of the most untouched and exciting places in the world: Papua New Guinea.
Chasing the Tail of the Pygmy Pachyderm
- Author
- Travelogues
They have shorter trunks, rounder faces, longer tails, and smaller tusks than their Asian cousins, but what really sets the Borneo pygmy elephant apart from the herd – apart from a reputation for friendliness – is no one is really sure how it got there.
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
A Couple from London
The Asaro Mudman tribal people took us where no tourists had been before, down through their lands to the source of the clay they use to make their tribal masks.
A couple from Texas
My wife and I traveled to Nepal with Remote Lands, and had an incredible time. This was our fourth trip with Remote Lands and the trip was planned perfectly with every detail accounted for.
