Description
Rabaul, in Papua New Guinea, is a stunning, resilient town set within a gigantic volcano crater, known as the "Pompeii of the Pacific". Tavurvur and Vulcan, two active volcanoes, dominate the town. Tavurvur emits steam frequently, and the surrounding landscape is stunning, rugged, and volcanic in nature. It was heavily wrecked by Mount Tavurvur's 1994 eruption and is now a bizarre mix of continuous volcanic activity, WWII history, and thriving Tolai culture, with ash-covered streets and lush tropical foliage.
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Things to do
Volcano Exploration
Hiking or driving to Mount Tavurvur is an intense, strange experience that puts you in the midst of a stark, barren environment still influenced by the devastating 1994 eruption. It is considered a must-do "adventure" for visitors, providing a close-up look at one of the world's most active volcanoes or visit the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory, which is a vital monitoring center located on a hilltop in Papua New Guinea, renowned for its panoramic, "million-dollar" views of the Rabaul Caldera, Simpson Harbour, and the active Tavurvur volcano.
WWII History Tours
Visit Admiral Yamamoto's Bunker, where guides describe how Yamamoto plotted the attack on Pearl Harbour. Tours are highly advised to provide context. Visit The Tunnels and Caverns, where Japanese soldiers manually dug hundreds of tunnels under Rabaul's hillsides toward the end of the war to use as command headquarters, hospitals, and storage facilities. It is said that visiting these WWII locations is a somber and intense experience that transports one back in time.
New Guinea Club & Museum
The New Guinea Club & Museum is a small, historic museum that focuses on the stormy history of the East New Britain region. It serves as a hub for the preservation of artefacts from the German era and local history. It is open only during certain hours and has a calm, committed ambiance. It was once founded as a social club for white expatriates before to World War II, but it withstood the conflict and volcanic eruptions, making it an important historical site in Rabaul.
Island and Marine Life
A boat ride from Rabaul to the Duke of York Islands provides a peaceful getaway amid pristine turquoise waters and pristine Pacific splendour. Intimate dolphin viewing, colourful snorkelling on shallow reefs, and leisure on serene white sand beaches surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation are all available to visitors. Travellers frequently observe or even walk on volcanic sites like those close to Mulioko Island, visit isolated settlements, and take in breathtaking, lush nature.