Papua New Guinea | Australia

Papua New Guinea is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands, bordering Indonesia to the west and the Solomon Islands to the southeast. The country's primary economic feature is its vast mineral and hydrocarbon wealth-specifically gold, copper, and natural gas-while its geography is dominated by the exceptionally rugged New Guinea Highlands; the capital city is Port Moresby.

Visa & Entry Policy

EU, US, and UK passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Papua New Guinea; the previous Visa on Arrival system has been largely suspended. Travelers must apply for an E-Visa through the official ICA portal prior to departure. Requirements include a passport valid for at least six months, proof of maintenance funds, and an onward or return ticket. Entry strictness is high, and travelers are advised to carry printed copies of their electronic authorization.

Language & Communication

The official languages are English, Tok Pisin, and Hiri Motu. English is the primary language of government and commerce, but its proficiency is low among the general population, particularly outside urban centers. Tok Pisin, an English-based creole, serves as the national lingua franca. Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country on Earth, with over 800 distinct indigenous languages currently spoken.

Currency & Payment Systems

The official currency is the Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK). Cash is the primary medium of exchange across most of the country. While major hotels and airlines in Port Moresby and Lae accept international credit cards, they are rarely accepted elsewhere. ATMs are available in major provincial capitals but are prone to technical failure and depletion; travelers must secure sufficient cash in the capital before departing for remote regions.

National Transport Grid

Inter-city travel is almost exclusively conducted via domestic flights (Air Niugini, PNG Air) due to the absence of a national road or rail network connecting the capital to the rest of the country. The Highlands Highway is the only major road artery, linking the port of Lae to the interior provinces. Local transit relies on "Public Motor Vehicles" (PMVs), which are modified trucks or minibuses that operate on informal schedules.

Digital Infrastructure

The primary mobile network providers are Digicel (the most extensive coverage) and Telikom/Bmobile. 4G/LTE coverage is concentrated in Port Moresby, Lae, and provincial hubs, but signal is non-existent in the mountainous interior. As of 2026, 5G services are in the initial phase of deployment in the National Capital District. Satellite internet remains the only reliable connectivity option for remote research stations and mines.

Climate & Seasonality

The climate is tropical and humid with minimal temperature variance year-round. The dry season (Southeast Monsoon) runs from May to October and is the optimal period for trekking and travel. The wet season (Northwest Monsoon) spans from December to March, bringing heavy rainfall that frequently triggers landslides and renders rural airstrips and roads impassable.

Health & Safety

Mandatory vaccinations include Yellow Fever (if arriving from an endemic zone) and Polio (due to localized outbreaks). Malaria is endemic nationwide and represents a severe health risk; prophylaxis is required. Violent crime, tribal conflict, and "raskol" (gang) activity are significant security concerns in Port Moresby and the Highlands. The emergency number for Police is 111 and Ambulance is 111.

Top 3 Major Regions & Cities

The New Guinea Highlands: Hub: Mount Hagen.

The New Guinea Islands: Hub: Kokopo/Rabaul.

The Huon Gulf & North Coast: Hub: Lae.

Local Cost Index

1L Water: 4.50 PGK ($1.15 USD)

1 Domestic Beer (0.5L): 12.00 PGK ($3.05 USD)

1 SIM Card (10GB Data): 110.00 PGK ($28.00 USD)

Facts & Legends

Papua New Guinea is one of the world's few independent centers of plant domestication; archaeological evidence at the Kuk Early Agricultural Site proves that inhabitants were practicing advanced drainage and cultivation in the highlands as early as 7,000 BC. A prominent local legend in the Sepik region is the "Crocodile Man" myth, which asserts that humans originated from crocodiles; this belief is maintained through painful initiatory scarification rituals where the skin of young men is cut to resemble the scales of a crocodile.