Top Things to do in East New Britain
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What to do and see in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea including Rabaul - Kokopo Dive, Mount Tavurvur, Kabaira Dive & Tours Rabaul, Rabaul War Cemetery, Kokopo War Museum, New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum, Kokopo Tours, Rabaul Scenic Tours, Paivu Tours Rabaul, Kimbe Bay.
Restaurants in East New Britain
1. Rabaul - Kokopo Dive
Overall Ratings
5 based on 72 reviews
Rabaul-KokopoI Dive PADI Centre is an independently owned dive operation that operates out of the beautiful Rapopo Plantation Resort. We offer a range of activities such as - diving, snorkeling, swim with dolphins, spearfishing, family fishing, island trips, land tours and active volcano trek.
Reviewed By Darren G - York, United Kingdom
I have dived all around the world, in the tropics, in the cold, the clear and out right murky, the deep and shallow, but no one told me about this little gem of a place. I almost want to not tell anyone and keep it to myself. But, that would be unfair as if you are a diver, or looking for a once in a life time activity of looking into an active volcano or immerse yourself in the history of this amazing place, then Gavin and the team here are the people to go to. The passion to deliver a first class service and continue to make it better each time, comes across by the team here and long may that last.
It is not a fishy tail if I tell you that on my first dive (drift reef wall) I saw so much of Papua New Guinea’s 1500 species of coral reef fishes and at least 514 species of corals it is hard to mention, but the highlights are 2 manta ray, moray eel, turtle, clown and mandarin fish of course, the list goes on. But this was topped by a pod of dolphin swimming by at my safety stop, If PNG can keep control of its fisheries and the impact humans on their amazing seas, this will be by far the best diving in the world (yeah I said it!). If you are also into wreck diving then this place has the history and wrecks to blow your mind. From the shallows to the deep, ships, subs, planes and much more, get yourself ready to fill you log book up.
I have to finish about tell you of the swim with dolphins on Christmas morning. Yes, took my none swimming fiancee out and she loved it. What a pleasure and honor to spend a little time in the company of wild animals such as this.
Top tips -
1. Make sure you wear good toe covered shoes when climbing the volcano.
2. Regardless of the cloud cover - wear sun screen!
3. Do not wear a bikini when swimming with dolphins - wear something to cover legs and arms.
4. If you can take a Go-pro to film your encounter with the dolphins - you will not be disappointed.
5. If you are over 4 foot tall, do some light stretch of you back before going into the tunnels to save an aching back.
2. Mount Tavurvur
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By 188petere - Brisbane, Australia
On a half day P&O volcano tour, we firstly visited the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory high on a hill overlooking Rabaul & the 2 closest active volcano's. Given a walk through tour of the Observatory including the various machines & displays, as well as various charts on display.
Then on to the boiling Springs on the bay shore, at the base of Mt Tavurvur which is still an active volcano with a recent eruption history. Very interesting seeing the power of the volcano & would have loved to have had the time to scale the mountain (next time). The past eruption ash mounds are amazing.
A local guide gave us an explanation of the mountain & its history. Very informative including that local fisherman sometimes use the thermal Springs to cook freshly caught fish or to boil eggs.
The locals had a number of stalls set up for the tourists - mixture of locals items including volcanic rocks, some local artefacts & unfortunately some mass produced tourist items.
The drive back to Rabaul shows us how much the damage was & still is including the now disused airport, resorts/hotels & the original Rabaul town.
3. Kabaira Dive & Tours Rabaul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Kabaira Dive & Tours Rabaul is a recreational SCUBA diving operation that also specialises in a variety of land and sea tours in and around Rabaul & Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. Based at Vunagam Estate on the Rabaul-Kokopo Road, Kabaira Dive operates tours throughout the Gazelle Peninsula region encompassing the townships of Rabaul and Kokopo, and the North Coast of New Britain Island. In addition to the base at Vunagam Estate, Kabaira Dive has a tour desk at Kabaira Beach Hideaway. Operating since 2003, Kabaira Dive services all accommodation in the Rabaul-Kokopo region of East New Britain. Tours and activities can be tailored for individuals or groups alike. Activities in the area include:• Island and snorkelling day trips• Fishing• SCUBA diving• World War I and II historical tours• Land tours of active and dormant volcanoes (including mountain climbs) and hot Springs.• Learning about the culture of the local Tolai and Baining people.
Reviewed By Janice P - Maryville, Tennessee
Our guides picked us up at 9:30 and didn't return till 4:00 It was a full day of touring volcanoes, hot Springs, Japanese military sites and museums and the wonderful view from the Observatory. At each site, we had ample time to explore and read signs. Traveling in an air conditioned van, we were most appreciative of our expert driver who navigated unpaved roads to reach important sites. We have a greater appreciation of the history of the area and the impact of the war on the local population. Thanks for a wonderful day.
4. Rabaul War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Dan L - Bunbury, Australia
The Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, established in 1945, is located near the site of the former Bita Paka wireless station south of the City. The cemetery and memorials are well maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. There are graves for 1139 Allied war dead, many of them Indian slaves. Even more poignant, the names of 500 are unknown particularly among the Indian memorials. Each grave is marked with a bronze plaque set on a low concrete pedestal. An avenue of bronze panelled stone pylons forms the Rabaul Memorial to the Missing with 1224 names of those who died in New Britain and New Ireland, and who have no known grave; this includes 1216 Australians. The majestic trees and associated vegetation make this a beautiful setting, yet it is a sombre site to reflect on the bravery of those who unselfishly sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others.
5. Kokopo War Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By Dan L - Bunbury, Australia
Visited the War Museum as part of our tour. There is an interesting collection of Japanese WW11 relics, vehicles, weapons, historical photographs and artefacts from the occupation, nosecone of an American B-17 bomber and other remnants of weaponry. The equipment is maintained outdoors in well maintained settings. However, continued exposure to weather is causing deterioration of the exhibits and many items are heavily rusted and require urgent restoration and shelter from the elements. There are some interesting cultural artefacts displayed indoors; just requires some additional information and a good clean up of the exhibited pieces.
Guides should be aware that few tourists are interested in seeing a mouth chewing betel nuts and the repeated spitting of the red juice . An interesting experience overall and a view of items not usually sighted in other museums.
6. New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Goloh - Hong Kong, China
Considering all the trauma this area has gone through, for so many years, punctuated by the 1994 volcanic eruption, it's something of a miracle this atmospheric museum (don't think of it as a Club now) is still around. Many fading exhibits, photos, relics, crashed airplanes, and an overwhelming sense of loss pervade the place. That the building is all by itself in an area that had been destroyed makes the whole experience even more poignant.
If you find yourself in Rabaul, either from a cruise ship or on your own, your guide will almost certainly include the New Guinea Club on the itinerary. Do go. You can even touch a land mine, but it won't explode.
7. Kokopo Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Meringandan
From Mainland Australia we booked based on TripAdvisor reviews of KokopoTours.
Ellis communicated with us well and we negotiated a price we were happy with.
On port day (Pacific Eden) in Rabaul, we disembarked, and the new (2mth old) modern minibus was waiting with air conditioning.
We saw all the sights and sites in that 3 hour trip and Ivy was our wonderful, articulate, friendly guide.
Highly highly highly recommend KokopoTours .
Ivy, from our company ECT4HEALTH to you and kokopo tours... thank you 1 million strings of little shells .
8. Rabaul Scenic Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Rabaul Scenic Tours is an indigenous tour company that caters for land tours in Rabaul PNG. We specializes in doing Volcano Tours, War Relic Tours, Village Exhibition Shows plus many more interesting highlights in Rabaul. Our tourists travels in air conditioned mini vans and we will ensure our guests have a wonderful time in Rabaul.
Reviewed By Dan L - Bunbury, Australia
We were part of a group from our cruise ship that visited the barge tunnels. It was a remarkable engineering feat to construct these barge tunnels. There are still five barges in existence but only three are visible in the tunnel. Like all war relics, they ate gradually being eroded. The tunnels are part of a 300 plus mile system of underground paths that were designed to conceal munitions, stores, hospitals, weaponry and more. The barge tunnels are the more interesting, the four other locations visited merely allowed us to sight and photograph the tunnel entrances.
9. Paivu Tours Rabaul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Graham360 - Brisbane, Australia
Looking to have a more comprehensive tour of Rabaul than offerred by our cruise ship, we found and booked Paivu Tours online. We had an immediate response and on arrival found all as promised.
The airconditioned minibus was well presented and our guide Ave knowledgable and well organized. Our 6.5hour tour took a little longer than planned - such is the distance involved and the state of local roads - but we saw as much as any two ship's tours and had an enjoyable lunch (extra) at a club in Kokopo. WW2 and volcanic history abound and we could have spent longer at several sites - but at the cost of missing others during our brief stay.
Highly recommend this tour company when visiting Rabaul - excellent value.
10. Kimbe Bay
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By FussyLiz - La Jolla, California
While staying at Walindi before going out on the FeBrina live aboard, we were taken to a nearby grove of trees that was full of fireflies........it was a magical evening! We also wandered around the Walindi property, visiting the schools next door built by the owners for the children of their staff and the village. The property is a botanist's dream. But the REAL highlight can only be seen in the water, both scuba diving and snorkeling. The corals and fish rate very well with the Coral Sea and Raja Ampat!
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