Top 50

A bucket list of things to see and do in PNG and the region

1 Go to a PNG festival The Goroka Show is the oldest and most famous festival in PNG. The three-day event in the Eastern Highlands – a mix of tribal dancing, sing- sings and rituals – attracts more than 100 clans and thousands of visitors each September. The Asaro mudmen, elaborate headdresses, spear waving and live bands make this one of the most colourful shows in the world. Other PNG festivals include the Mount Hagen Show (August, Western Highlands), the Sepik Crocodile Festival (August, Ambunti), the Mask Festival (July, Kokopo) and the Frangipani Festival (September, Rabaul). papuanewguinea.travel/culture

2 Walk the Kokoda Trail The Kokoda Trail, one of the most challenging trekking experiences in PNG, is all about blood, sweat and tears. The gruelling 96-kilometre trail follows the path on which Australian and Allied soldiers fought against the Japanese army during World War 2. It requires rigorous training but the rewards are stunning scenery through dense jungle, rushing rivers and deep gorges and the chance to connect with remote villagers. The eight-day hike offers a glimpse into one of the world’s last great frontiers.

3 Diving heaven Many areas of PNG have superb diving and snorkelling. Milne Bay is just one of those areas: a must for divers, with pristine islands, great marine biodiversity, rich coral reefs and historic war wrecks. Divers can choose from scuba, muck and wreck diving. Visibility is best from June to August. There are a number of places to stay including the remote Tawali resort, which is reached by boat. tawali.com

4 Explore the Sepik River One of the great rivers of the world, the mysterious 1126-kilometre Sepik is home to 430,000 people who speak more than 300 languages. Running from the central Highlands to the Bismarck Sea, it contains some of PNG’s rarest plants. Explore spirit houses, meet men with crocodile skin and discover artworks such as wood carving and clay pottery. Tour vessels range from dugout motor canoes to adventure cruises such as Sepik Spirit and True North (pictured above).

pngtours.com truenorth.com.au

5 Climb Mount Tavurvur volcano Mount Tavurvur is one of PNG’s most dangerous volcanoes. It erupted as recently as 2014 and in 1994 it destroyed Rabaul. Drive to a certain point and then hike for a couple of hours to the top. The heat makes it difficult but the view from the top makes it worthwhile. Book with a tour group or a hotel. See our story, Page 74.

6 Spot birds of paradise in the wild One of the best places in the world for bird watching, PNG has 38 of the 43 bird-of-paradise species. A short drive from Port Moresby, Varirata National Park is a good place to spot the spectacular longtailed raggiana bird of paradise. Specialist tours are available. papuanewguinea.travel

7 Stay in a village There’s no better way to get to know a place than by staying with locals. Maira, on the island of Mioko (a two-hour trip from Kokopo), has no hotels but you can organise a homestay in one of the village’s huts. Watch the women weave, the children play and glimpse a world from another time. villagehuts.com kbb.com.pg

8 Swim with manta rays at Gona Bara Bara The northern beaches of the small island of Gona Bara Bara are where the giant reef manta rays go for a good clean. Here the gentle giants hang around as tiny fish gather on them to get rid of their parasites. Book on a boat or go with a dive company. Stay at nearby Doini Island, from where the resort owners will take you to the manta rays. papuanewguinea.travel doiniisland.com

9 See World War 2 wrecks About 216,000 Japanese, Australian and American soldiers died during the New Guinea campaign in World War 2. The Battle of Milne Bay was the first land defeat of the Japanese and a turning point in the war. Today tourists come to Milne Bay to explore the old war zone, the World War 2 monument and dive among the sunken planes and ships.

10 Do a surf camp on New Ireland New Ireland is one of the friendliest provinces in PNG, noted for its white sandy beaches, coral lagoons and clear rivers. The friendly Nusa Island Retreat is a small eco-tourism resort. It has overwater huts and runs surfers to the best surf breaks daily. nusaislandretreat.com

SOLOMON IS LANDS

11 Sundowner on a small island Fatboys Resort – named after a Dickens character – is the best place to recharge your batteries in the Solomon Islands. Unpack your bags, slip into something comfortable and stroll along the timber jetty to the Fatboys restaurant, straddling the clear reef waters. Order a sundowner and tune into island life. They’ll also run you out to a small sandy island for evening drinks. And there’s quality surf nearby. solomonislandsfatboys.com.au

12 Visit war history World War 2 sites around Honiara are a big tourist attraction. The Guadalcanal American Memorial tells the story of the six-month bloody campaign in the Solomon Islands. Vilu War Museum has old artillery, Japanese field guns and US aircraft including a Wildcat fighter. Visit the Australian, Japanese, Fijian and New Zealand memorials. visitsolomons.com.sb

MICRONESIA

13 Explore Nan Madol ruins Micronesia’s Nan Madol ruined city near Pohnpei, dubbed the Venice of the Pacific and the eighth wonder of the world, is an engineering marvel. Covering 92 human-made islands and linked by canals, the megalithic structures were built from the 13th and 17th century by people from the mysterious Saudeleur Dynasty. The World Heritage site is often compared to Angkor Wat or Stonehenge, and it’s still a puzzle how the huge rocks that form the fallen temples and ancient tombs were transported. nan-madol.com

14 Swim under a waterfall Kepirohi Waterfall in Pohnpei is one of the most spectacular in Micronesia. The waters tumble down 20 metres over basalt rocks to a large plunge pool, perfect for swimming. Other falls to visit include Sahwarlap and Sahwartik, and Liduduhniap twin waterfalls. visit-micronesia.fm

15 Surf at P-Pass Serious surfers travel to Pohnpei for one of the world’s best righthand waves at P-Pass (Palikir Pass). Similar to Fiji or Tahiti, the area is noted for its breaking pipe-waves on fringing reefs. The main season runs from September to May and access is by boat. pohnpeisurfclub.com

16 Make friends with the jellyfish After being closed for two years, Palau’s Jellyfish Lake reopened earlier this year. Experts say the golden jellyfish have regenerated. The lake is home to millions of non- stinging golden jellyfish and visitors can swim among the fragile creatures with a certified tour guide. palaugov.pw/ongeiml-tketau-jellyfishlake-open-to-visitors

17 Ride the Star Ferry While there are some fantastic cruises of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, one of the most economical and best loved trips is on the historic Star Ferry, which links Central on Hong Kong Island to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. The 10-minute crossing is best at twilight to see the city’s jaw-dropping skyline and the Symphony of Lights show – make sure you sit on the upper deck. starferry.com.hk/en/

18 Peek at the Peak Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, offers spellbinding views of one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Take the Peak Tram, which has been trundling the rails since 1888, to the top. The tram is currently being upgraded and services will be suspended at times during 2019-2020. An alternative is to take the Number 15 double-decker bus, an entertaining ride around hairpin bends. thepeak.com.hk.

Eat like a local 19 Enjoy a taste of the real Hong Kong in the old haberdashery district of Sham Shui Po. The original Michelin- star Tim Ho Wan started on Fuk Wing Street. Join one of the excellent Hong Kong Foodie Tours to sample milk tea, rice rolls, tofu dessert, pork dumplings and egg noodles. hongkongfoodietours.com

20 Party at the Dragon Festival The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival attracts thousands of visitors with its colourful races. For three days, teams from around the world race the famous boats with their carved and painted dragon heads and tails. The Street Food Gala and Artisanal Market are held at the same time. The next one is in June 2020. discoverhongkong.com

21 Take a selfie with street art Soho’s streets provide canvases for some great street art. Klook’s one-hour tour helps unearth some interesting gems and the stories behind them. Alex Croft’s mural of old townhouses on Hollywood Road’s G.O.D. store is an Instagrammers’ favourite. klook.com

PHILIPPINES

22 Pedal through Intramuros Cycle through Manila’s historic streets on a handcrafted bamboo bike. Intramuros, the Walled City, was the centre of Spanish colonial rule during the 16th–century and Fort Santiago, Rizal Shrine and San Agustin church are highlights. Manila is not easy to explore but Intramuros Bambike Tour will steer you in the right direction. bambike.com

23 Envy Imelda’s shoes The story of Imelda Marcos, the disgraced former first lady of the Philippines, continues to fascinate and her legendary collection of shoes epitomises the opulence she enjoyed during her regime. She owned 1000 pairs of designer shoes and the museum, in Manila’s shoe district, has about 750 pairs on display. marikina.gov.ph

24 Taste the best Filipino food Chef Jordy Navarra’s awardwinning Toyo Eatery has been changing people’s concept of Filipino food. Bahay Kubo, his signature dish, inspired by a Tagalog folk song, combines 18 vegetables in an unconventional salad. The eatery’s number 43 in the 50 Best Restaurants in Asia 2019 list. facebook.com/toyeatery

SIN GAPORE

25 Walk the Supertree skyway A walk along the 128-metre long, 22-metre high suspended skyway between Singapore’s Supertrees at sunset is a knockout experience. These 9–16 storey structures, full of plants, generate solar power and collect rainwater. Enjoy the light show and stunning views of the bay. gardensbythebay.com.sg

26 Breakfast with the orangutans Start the day with a buffet breakfast at Singapore Zoo’s Ah Meng restaurant. As you eat, you meet the famous orangutans who are also having breakfast. Tea is one of their favourite drinks. Singapore Zoo, one of the first open-air zoos, has a successful breeding program for the primates. Bookings essential. wrs.com.sg

27 Taste the best chilli crab Singapore’s much-loved dish, chilli crab – typically mud crabs stirfried in sour- sweet tomato chilli sauce – was invented by Madam Cher Yam Tian in 1956. Chef Hooi Kok Wah of Dragon Phoenix added sambal in 1963 to create this unofficial national dish. Use your fingers to open and soak up the sauce with steam buns. Popular restaurants include Jumbo Seafood, Long Beach Seafood and No Signboard Seafood restaurant.

28 Check out a food festival This food-loving city goes all out for the Singapore Food Festival every July. The 50 Cents Fest is one of the highlights, with hokkien dishes on sale in Chinatown from as little as 50 cents. Don’t miss the Little India events. chinatownfoodstreet.sg/the-50-centsfest

29 Go to hawker heaven Singapore’s hawker centres, known for their delicious low-cost dishes, had a starring role in the movie Crazy Rich Asians. Favourite places to eat include Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown where Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice stall, made famous by Gordon Ramsay, has queues at rush hour. Also try Old Airport Road Food Centre and Tekka Centre.

30 Visit Sands SkyPark Singapore’s skyline was changed forever by the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Day and night, the hotel, with its three 57- storey towers topped by a 1.2-hectare sky garden structure, is a surreal sight. If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can still visit the SkyPark and infinity pool. marinabaysands.com

CAIRNS

31 Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef Cairns offers easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s great natural wonders. Snorkel, dive, paddle or view the marine life from a glass-bottomed boat. Sign up for a tour with a marine biologist who can share specialised knowledge of the coral and reef fish. tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au

32 Watch the sun rise from a hot-air balloon Hot-air ballooning over the Atherton Tablelands is an unforgettable experience. The balloons are launched before dawn when the atmosphere is most stable. Watch the sunrise as you drift over magical bushlands, creeks and farms while the wildlife wakes up below. hotair.com.au

33 Play the didgeridoo Learn about Australian indigenous culture at the Tjapukai Aboriginal cultural park and discover how to play the didgeridoo. The park celebrates the history of the world’s oldest living culture, which is more than 40,000 years old, by offering performances, dance, arts and food. tjapukai.com.au

34 Taste native ingredients On the waterfront, Ochre is one of the most original dining experiences in Cairns. For 25 years, chef Craig Squire has focused on sustainable regional and native Australian cuisine. Try grilled kangaroo sirloin with quandong chilli glaze, emu wonton, and salt and native pepper leaf prawn and crocodile. ochrerestaurant.com.au

35 Glide over the rainforest The Skyrail–Kuranda Railway combo is one of the best ways to experience the rainforest. Glassfloor gondolas glide along for 7.5 kilometres, swooping above the World Heritage tropical rainforest. Stop at Red Peak and Barron Falls. There’s time to explore Kuranda before returning by scenic 1.5-hour railway. skyrail.com.au

BRIS BANE

36 Cruise the Brisbane River The Brisbane River meanders in huge loops through the city. Hop on a CityCat ferry and zip along from St Lucia to Hamilton, taking in the river views. If you want something more historical, hop aboard the Kookaburra Queen, an old paddle-wheeler, and sail in style past the Botanic Gardens, Kangaroo Point Cliffs and South Bank. visitbrisbane.com.au

37 Abseil a bridge The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a 1.5–2 hour easy climb up to the bridge’s 80-metre summit. Suitable for ages six and up. The more adventurous might prefer the three-hour climb-and-abseil challenge. storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au

38 Enjoy a culture fix South Bank’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is a cutting-edge museum, known for its collection of Asian and Pacific art. Next door is the Queensland Art Gallery, also worth a visit. qagoma.qld.gov.au

39 Watch cricket at the Gabba For a truly Australian experience, go to a game at the Gabba, one of the most famous cricket grounds in Australia. The 123-year-old venue holds about 42,000 and cricket Tests have been held there since the 1930s. Tours on Wednesdays at 11am. Bookings essential. thegabba.com.au

40 Cuddle a koala The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary, is home to about 130 koalas. Most were born there and are used to interacting with humans. Also see platypus, dingos, kangaroos and turtles. About 12 kilometres from Brisbane city. koala.net

SYDNE Y

41 Climb an icon The best view of the city is from the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. The 3.5-hour Bridge Climb takes fit participants along catwalks under the road, up four ladders and then to the outer arch to the top of the bridge. The Bridge Climb sampler is 1.5 hours and goes along the inner arch, halfway to the summit. Bookings essential. bridgeclimb.com

42 Go backstage at Sydney Opera House Learn the secrets of the stars at this behind-the- scenes tour of Sydney Opera House. Start at 7am, explore the five venues and hear stories about famous performers. The 2.5-hour tour includes breakfast in the Green Room. Bookings essential. sydneyoperahouse.com

43 Sample new fusion food Two of Australia’s top young chefs joined forces to open Chuuka at Jones Bay Wharf in July. Chase Kojima and Victor Liong offer a fusion of their Japanese and Chinese cuisines. The name Chuuka refers to Chinese dishes introduced to Japan in the 19th century. The outdoor bar has views of Sydney Harbour. chuuka.com.au

44 Hike through the bush Freeland Hiking offers tours, ranging from a one-night Blue Mountains hike to a five-day Budawang’s circuit hike, in some of NSW’s most isolated national parks. Transport, tents, backpacks, sleeping bags and food are provided. freelandhikingco.com.au

45 Sleep with the animals With a knockout harbourside location, Taronga Zoo is one of the best places to sleep over in Sydney. The Roar and Snore experience allows visitors to stay at the zoo and enjoy special after-hours close encounters with the animals. Opening in November, the Wildlife Retreat will have five new sustainable eco pods. taronga.org.au

46 Fly in a chopper to Castaway Island Arrive in style to Fiji’s Castaway Island by hitching a ride on a helicopter. Outrigger Resort is offering a Flyaway to Castaway special for stays of five or more nights. The scenic 15-minute chopper ride from Nadi airport flies over the Mamanuca Islands. castawayfiji.com

47 Dive at the Great Astrolabe Reef One of the best diving locations in Fiji, this is the world’s fourthlargest barrier reef. Divers can expect to see sharks, manta rays, turtles and hammerheads. The reef comprises hard and soft coral with more than 60 dive sites. Kadavu is one of the least visited islands and its clear water is good for snorkelling. Other popular dive spots include Barefoot Manta Island, Naviti Island and Rainbow Reef. fiji.travel

48 Be an eco-warrior Guests at Kokomo Private Island luxury resort (pictured top and above) can take part in coral planting to keep the nearby reef healthy. The Kokomo Coral Restoration Project, led by resident marine biologist Cliona O’Flaherty, is cultivating coral in a nursery before replanting on the reef. She is also working to protect manta rays and has data on more than 40 of the animals. Sustainability is an important focus of the resort, which bottles its own water and distributes it in glass bottles. kokomoislandfiji.com

VAN UATU

49 Admire the vine jumpers Imagine jumping off a 30-metrehigh wooden tower with only two vines around your legs! The Nagol land-diving festival on Vanuatu’s Pentecost Island, held every April and May, is said to have inspired bungee jumping. The thrillseeking villagers aim to fall as close to the ground as possible to appease the gods. vanuatu.travel

50 Swim in a blue hole Some of the best blue holes are on Espiritu Santo. These natural springs were formed by water carving its way through limestone over millions of years. The blue holes vary from 3–30 metres and are a stunning geographical phenomenon. vanuatu.travel