Rabaul
Papua New Guinea · East New Britain · 10 m
Description
Rabaul sits inside a flooded caldera on New Britain and was the finest harbour in the South Pacific until 1994, when Tavurvur and Vulcan erupted together and buried the town in ash. Much of it was never rebuilt, and roofs still show above grey drifts. Tavurvur continues to steam and can be climbed from the black beach at its foot. The Japanese occupied Rabaul through the Second World War and dug hundreds of kilometres of tunnels into the hills, some holding barges to this day. Kokopo took over as the provincial capital. Most visitors now stay in Kokopo and drive across for the day.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Tavurvur volcano and the ash-buried town
- Japanese wartime tunnels and barge caves
- Volcanological observatory viewpoint
- Baining fire dance
- Kokopo war museum and the Yamamoto bunker
- Diving on the harbour wrecks
- Submarine Base drop-off dive
- Hot springs on the beach at Matupit
- Rabaul market and the Kokopo waterfront
- Duke of York islands by boat(Day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- RAB
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry