Excursion Discover rabaul & kokopo tour at Rabaul

Papua New Guinea is a very-low-income country with very basic infrastructure, and vastly different to the western culture mentality. Local conditions may be challenging; therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. Coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. We thank you for your understanding.

Discover the townships of Rabaul and Kokopo on this half-day sightseeing excursion.

Rabaul, Volcano Observatory Station

Start your journey at the pier with a short drive to the Rabaul Volcanic Observatory, built by the Japanese in 1942 to monitor volcanic activities, bombed in 1945 and rebuilt in 1946. Take a birds-eye view of the Rabaul town, the Simpson harbor and the devastation of the 1994 volcanic eruptions. The staff will give lectures on how volcanos are monitored.

Japanese WWII Barge Tunnel

The next stop would be at the Japanese barge tunnel in Karavia village, approximately a 20-minute drive along the coastal journey. In this tunnel rests the rusty remnants of five barges used to transport supplies around the pacific.

Kokopo Township & Kokopo War Museum

Continue along the coastal road towards the Kokopo Township, pass by tunnels built by the Japanese prisoners of war, and a floating crane, brought in by the Japanese but destroyed by the allied forces. The drive proceeds further south into Kokopo Central Business District area until the Kokopo War Museum, where remnants of the world wars were collected by the Rabaul Historical Society. From pieces of planes to machine guns and torpedoes carried by destroyers.

Gazelle International Hotel

Next, a short drive will take you to the Gazelle International Hotel. The Hotel has historical significance as it is built on the original site of the residence of Queen Emma of the South Seas a theme carried throughout our Hotel. She arrived around 1870s and built a huge coconut plantation estate around the Gazelle peninsula. Spend a few minutes to walk around the hotel grounds to see the remains.

Kokopo Fresh Food Market

Leaving the hotel, your final stop will be at the Kokopo fresh food market, a must see site, with its busy colorful scene where you can buy anything from brooms to baskets made from coconut leaves, to betel nut, taro, cassava, capsicum, avocado, eggplant, garlic, long bean and tobacco.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your bus and commence approximately 45-minute drive back to Rabaul.

Points of interests

Points of Interest seen on this excursion include: Rabaul, Volcano Observatory Station, Japanese Barge Tunnel, Kokopo Township, Kokopo War Museum, Gazelle International Hotel, Fresh Food Market

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking and is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. The tour sequence may vary.