Things to do
Things to do in Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea's capital is not a resort town — it's the working gateway to one of the world's great cultures. Museums, markets, and the Hiri Moale festival in September.
Photos for Port Moresby are still on their way. Every listing below is real.
Top things to do in Port Moresby
The Pacific's frontier capital: sing-sings, reef and rainforest.
- National Museum and Art Gallery — PNG's cultural storehouse: masks, canoes, contemporary art — the essential first stop.
- Port Moresby Nature Park — Tree kangaroos, cassowaries, birds of paradise: the university-run park, the easy wildlife win.
- Ela Beach & the seawall — The city beach and promenade: APEC Haus, the craft market, sunset over Fairfax Harbour.
- Varirata National Park — Rainforest lookout over the city and coast (~40 min): hornbills, the classic viewpoint.
- Parliament House (National Parliament) — The Haus Tambaran-style building: the striking Maprik-inspired facade.
- Bomana War Cemetery — The WWII cemetery: moving, immaculate, the history of the Kokoda campaign.
- Port Moresby craft market — Bilums, carvings, tapa cloth — buy direct from makers at Ela Beach market.
Free things to do in Port Moresby
Port Moresby is generous if your budget isn't. All of these cost nothing or close to it:
- Ela Beach promenade — The seawall walk and sunset: free.
- National Museum (grounds) — Grounds and some exhibitions; check current entry policy.
- Varirata lookout — The viewpoint — park entry is the only cost.
- Bomana War Cemetery — Free, contemplative.
- Sunday sing-sing spotting — Church and community gatherings often include traditional dress and song.
Festivals & the religious calendar
The town's own festivals:
- Hiri Moale Festival (September) — The Motu-Koitabu trading-voyage festival at Ela Beach: lagatoi canoe arrivals, sing-sings, the city's biggest cultural weekend.
- Independence Day (16 September) — Flag-raising and cultural shows; often paired with Hiri Moale week.
- Port Moresby shows / singsings (seasonal) — Church and provincial association sing-sings happen year-round — ask locally.
And the national calendar:
- Independence Day (16 September) — 1975 independence from Australia: flag-raising, sing-sings, cultural shows nationwide.
- Christmas / New Year (December–January) — The festive season with church services and community feasts; the wet season, so plan around afternoon storms.
Exact dates are confirmed yearly — check local listings before booking around a festival.
Sports: Rugby league
PNG's national sport, full stop: the Kumuls (national team) and the PNG Hunters (Queensland Cup) at the National Football Stadium. Rugby league crowds here are among the most passionate on earth — a Hunters home game is the sporting experience.
Rugby union and Australian rules have followings; soccer (football) is growing via the national team, the Kapuls.
Tickets: official site
What's new in Port Moresby
Ela Beach's redevelopment (APEC Haus precinct) is the city's showpiece waterfront. Hiri Moale's September dates are confirmed yearly — check before booking. Security advice changes; check your government's travel guidance before going.
Submit your event
Running something in town? Dayfari lists community events free — gigs, markets, fundraisers, club nights, temple and church programmes. Submit your event and it can appear in the town feed within a day. No account needed to suggest; the Dayfari team reviews every submission.
Common questions
How many days do I need in Port Moresby?
Two full days covers the highlights above. Add a third for the day trips — see our day-trips guide.
What can I do in Port Moresby for free?
Plenty — see the free list above. The town's festivals and markets are the other great free shows.
When is the best time to visit Port Moresby?
Time it for a festival if you can — the calendar above is the cheat sheet. Otherwise, the shoulder seasons dodge the crowds.
More to explore in Port Moresby
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