Things to do in Port Moresby

The Port Moresby Nature Park is a haven of greenery and lawns spread over 30 acres, boasting two kilometres of boardwalk threading beneath a jungle canopy, plus excellent wildlife exhibits, plant collections, and cultural demonstrations. You may find yourself passing by a wedding, a friendly soccer match and a class trip all in one single visit to the park. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the large grounds, under a 'haus-win' with a barbecue area. Or rest a while in the Park’s well-appointed and popular café before browsing the souvenir shop as you leave. Port Moresby Nature Park is open 365 days a year!

Papua New Guinea’s Parliament House is a must see landmark whether parliament is sitting or not. Built in the style of a Maprik Haus Tambaran (house of spirits from East Sepik Province), this impressive building was first opened in 1984 and the grounds are lovely.

Adventure Park is Port Moresby’s only theme park and features an assortment of rides and attractions including a delightful Ferris wheel with fine views across the plains at 14 Mile, waterslides, paddle boats, and a colourful merry-go-round to rival Mary Poppins’ adventures. Equally colourful is the display of native orchids found at the National Orchid Gardens at the edge of the Park. The gardens house the largest collection of orchids in the Southern Hemisphere. All year-round, you can explore over three thousand orchid species, unique to Papua New Guinea. Peak flowering season for most orchids is between December and March.

Wander through the awe-inspiring collections at the National Museum & Art Gallery (NMAG). Here you will see a careful curation of objects from 19 provinces of Papua New Guinea. The earliest collection is by Sir William MacGregor and dates back to the 1800s during early administration of Papua. NMAG was built on Independence Hill in 1975 and opened to the public 1977. It is the national centre for anthropology, archaeology, natural history, contemporary arts, research and conservation.

Built on reclaimed land near Ela Beach in Port Moresby’s central business district, this glazed conference facility is a gracious nod to the cultural caretakers of the Capital City, the Motu-Koita people. The iconic design resembles a Lakatoi sail, from the Motu-Koita’s distinctive double-hulled boat, to symbolise international trade negotiations. As you enter the building, you’ll see additional local designs referenced with a giant timber feature wall in the lobby engraved with a stepped traditional tattoo and every last corner of the new conference rooms paying respect to the incredible cultures of our 22 provinces.

For the best seafood in town visit Koki market, to the east of Ela Beach. Koki is the main seafood market and also sells a range of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. Wander through the aisles, where you can absorb the ocean breeze and observe the fishermen negotiate with bargain hunters over the catch of the day. We recommend bringing a guide with you when you visit markets in Port Moresby.