Advice, where to eat, hotels

A quick guide to Papua New Guinea, from catching a taxi to making a phone call.

CLIMATE

With the exception of the Highlands, PNG has a warm tropical climate. The wet season in Port Moresby is from December to April.

COMMUNICATIONS

Internet: Web access in Port Moresby has improved immensely in recent years. Although it remains costly, all the Port Moresby hotels listed in this guide provide a fastspeed internet service. In other urban centres, you may still be relying on dial-up. For those staying longer, wireless internet, via a USB modem is available, although download speeds can vary.

Phone: International mobile phone roaming is possible in PNG but it is costly. A cheaper option is to buy a local SIM card and prepaid credit (including data packs for smartphones). It is much cheaper to make international calls from PNG than vice versa.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is becoming more common at hotels, and is also available at Jacksons International Airport.

ELECTRICITY

The current in PNG is 240V AC 50Hz, using Australian-style plugs.

GETTING AROUND

As a general rule in PNG, you need to plan your travel carefully.

Taxis: Recommended firms are Comfort (325 3046) and Scarlet (7220 7000).

Car hire: Deal with one of the international names and ask them to provide a driver (around PGK400 per day). With the poor state of roads, especially in Lae, 4WDs/ SUVs are recommended.

Airport transfers: For arrival/ departure in Port Moresby, any of the hotels listed in this guide will provide a complimentary transfer.

Domestic flights: Travelling within PNG often means taking an internal flight (for instance, you cannot drive between Port Moresby and Lae). Air Niugini offers passengers the chance to book (and check in) online but make sure you print out a copy of your receipt to show at the checkin counter. Aircraft and helicopter charter services are available for travel to remote locations.

HEALTH

Serious medical conditions typically require treatment outside the country. Travellers should ensure they have adequate health cover (the cost of medical evacuation alone can reach $US30,000). Visitors should also note that malaria is prevalent in PNG and there have been cases of measles and tuberculosis in some parts of the country.

MONEY

PNG’s currency is the kina (PGK). ANZ and Bank of South Pacific (BSP) have branches at Port Moresby’s international airport. ATMs are located around Port Moresby, Lae and other urban centres.

SAFETY

While the situation is not as bad as portrayed by some international media, you should always take precautions, especially at night.

TIME ZONE

PNG has a single time zone, 10 hours ahead of UTC/GMT.

EATING, DRINKING, SOCIALISING IN PORT MORESBY

Airways Hotel: Port Moresby’s ritziest hotel has several places to eat. If you’re after fine dining, Bacchus is the place to go. For something more casual, go poolside, where Deli KC’s serves antipasto, salads, sandwiches, milkshakes, espresso and a limited Italian menu for dinner. The Poolside Bar should not be missed for its garlic prawns. The Vue Restaurant, which has a buffet each morning and evening, as well as an a la carte menu, has stunning views. This is also the place for

traditional rectangular, wood-fired Italian pizza. See airways.com.pg.

Aviat Club: The club is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Home-style meals include stirfries, toasted sandwiches and salt-and-pepper prawns. The burgers and the fish and chips are spectacular. This is a great spot to sit at lunchtime under the shady mango trees, or in the airconditioned bar. See aviat.com.pg.

Cafe on the Edge: There are good hamburgers here and breakfast options such as eggs benedict, avocado and the best crispy bacon. The servings are generous. It is one of the few cafes in town that opens early; you can grab your first cuppa from 6.45am. Located under the residential buildings on the new Harbour City development, down behind the ANZ and BSP bank. See facebook.com/CafeOnTheEdge.

Crowne Plaza Hotel: There are multiple eating options at Crowne. The in-house restaurant includes a buffet for breakfast (eggs cooked to order), as well as lunch and dinner. It’s one of the few restaurants in Port Moresby with gluten-free choices. The hotel also has fine dining at the Rapala restaurant, where the steaks and garlic prawns are impressive. Oldfashioned crepes Suzette makes an appearance here, too, and is cooked at your table.

Daikoku: The extensive Japanese menu has teppanyaki, donburi bowls and a large range of sushi. Tucked away above the SVS shopping centre in Harbour City, chefs will whip up your meal at your table. The teppanyaki menu includes several courses, so come with an empty stomach. See ourportmoresby.co/things-to-do/ archives/daikoku. Duffy Cafe, Gabaka Street: This has rapidly become popular among the expat community, with excellent coffee and homemade cafe-style food. See facebook. com/duffypng.

Dynasty at Vision City: This may be the biggest restaurant in Port Moresby. Its size, its chandeliers and its gold decor make it a favourite for balls, dinners and parties. The menu is huge, too, with pages of Asian dishes. Don’t miss yum cha on Sunday mornings. See ourportmoresby.co/things-to-do/ archives/dynasty.

Fusion: This is one of the newer restaurants in the city and always seems to be doing great business. It’s Asian with a fusion of flavours from China, Thailand and Vietnam. Takeaway available. Grand Papuan Brasserie: The funky Grand Papua Hotel bar serves up cocktails and has a decent wine list, along with some tasty tapas-style bar food. Grab a seat in one of the huge, black leather chairs or head to the Brasserie, which has a nightly buffet. The a la carte menu is good and the steaks are delicious. See grandpapuahotel.com.pg.

Lamana Hotel: The hotel’s restaurant has a daily soup and salad buffet lunch, with your choice of main and a drink. There is an Indian buffet night on Thursdays. See lamanahotel.com.pg. Royal Papua Yacht Club: Relaxed, spacious and open to non-members. Comfort food, draught beer and an open-plan bar area showing sport on large screens. If it’s too busy, try the Aviat Club in nearby Konedobu. See rpyc.com.pg.

Seoul House: This restaurant specialises in Korean and Thai food, cooked on the hot plate right in front of you. Seoul House is tucked away in a garden oasis compound in Five Mile. Tel +675 325 2231.

Tasty Bites: An Indian restaurant tucked away in the town centre in Hunter Street near Crowne Plaza. You won’t get a table unless you book. Tel +675 321 2222.

Vision City: PNG’s first major shopping mall houses an increasing array of eateries. The cavernous Dynasty (Chinese) and the Ten (Japanese) are standouts.See ourportmoresby.co/ things-to-do/archives/dynasty.

HOTELS

Airways Hotel: Airways is located within a large, secure compound next to Jacksons International Airport. An inspiring setting, luxurious rooms, excellent service and very good food options. See airways.com.pg. Tel. +675 324 5200.

Crowne Plaza: Upmarket rooms and suites in the heart of the CBD. Decent gym, business centre, undercover parking, thriving café and Mediterranean restaurant. Tel +675 309 3329.

Ela Beach Hotel and

Apartments: On the fringe of the CDB, this constantly expanding hotel/apartment complex is part of the Coral Sea Hotels group. Its main eatery is popular at lunchtime. See coralseahotels.com.pg.

Gateway Hotel: Another member of Coral Sea Hotels, this time located next to the airport. A range of amenities include Port Moresby’s largest dedicated meeting space. See coralseahotels.com.pg.

Grand Papua: This premium hotel opened in late 2011 and features 156 suite rooms (short and long stay), an executive floor, gym and conference facilities. The separate restaurant and bar areas are popular venues for business meetings in town. Centrally located. See grandpapuahotel. com.pg. Tel. +675 304 0000.

Holiday Inn: Located in the government district of Waigani. Large grounds with walking track, in a tropical garden setting. Outdoor restaurant dining and bar area, business centre and gym. Recently expanded to include a three-star Holiday Inn Express hotel. See ing.com. Tel +675 303 2000.

Laguna Hotel: The Laguna is the latest hotel to open in Port Moresby, providing high-end facilities. The 60-room property is a five-minute drive from the heart of Port Moresby and features a lagoon-style pool, free airport transfers, free Wi-Fi and free buffet breakfast. Tel +675 323 9333.

Lamana Hotel: Also in Waigani, this modern hotel’s facilities include the popular Palazzo restaurant (steaks, pizzas and Indian cuisine), business centre, conference facilities and fashionable nightspot, the Gold Club. Tel +675 323 2333.

Stanley Hotel and Suites: Port Moresby’s newest hotel (opened in July, 2016) is a luxurious 429room property in Waigani, close to government offices and embassies. It has 95 long-stay apartments, gym, pool, cafe, restaurants and an executive lounge. Connected to Vision City Mega Mall. See thestanleypng.com. Tel. + 675 302 8888.

EATING, DRINKING, SOCIALISING IN LAE

Bunga Raya Restaurant: A local favourite, serving Malaysian-style Chinese. Located next door to the Lae Golf Club. Make sure to try the stuffed lettuce cups, laksa and claypot tofu. Tel. +675 472 7177

Chigi’s Cafe: A delightful place inside the temporary Brian Bell store near the Lae main markets. Serves good coffee, milkshakes, sandwiches, cakes and salads. Tel. +675 7217 1966.

Golden Aviat: A good option for Chinese, located on Huon Road in Eriku. Open for lunch and dinner and yum cha on Sundays. Tel. +675 472 0486.

Huon Club: A private members’ club, offering air-conditioned facilities, comfortable lounge chairs, an expansive deck overlooking the Lae Golf Club, a fully stocked bar and Foxtel connection to preview all the racing and sporting events. Tel. +675 7347 1058.

Lae International Hotel: Home to three restaurants – Luluai’s Italian Pizza, Vanda, and Kokomo, which all serve an array of international and Western cuisine, including Indian and seafood buffets. The Sportsman’s Bar (aka Jack’s Bar) is also a good place for a nightcap, or two. See laeinterhotel.com. Tel. +675 472 7000.

Lae Golf Club: Whether it’s after a challenging round of golf or just an excuse to catch up with friends, the club is excellent for a few sundowners as you overlook the stunning green. Tel. +675 472 1363.

Lae Yacht Club: The perfect place for late-afternoon beers, or just as nice for a relaxing lunch. Serves pub-style food including burgers, steaks and pizza, which goes down a treat with the surrounding views of the Huon Gulf. See laeyachtclub.com. Tel. +675 472 4091. Mountain View Restaurant: One of Lae’s newest restaurants is at the Crossroads Hotel at Nine Mile. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, make sure to try the Japanese fusion menu – it’s the only place in town where you can get good sushi. See hornibrook. com.pg/crossroads/. Tel. +675 475 1124.

HOTELS

Crossroads Hotel: A 45-room facility at 9 Mile. The hotel has a Japanese-themed teppanyaki restaurant with Asian/ Western fusion menus, full bar service, a well-equipped gym, WiFi and complimentary transport transfers both to Lae City and Nadzab Airport. See hornibrook.com.pg/ crossroads/. Tel. +675 475 1124.

Lae City Hotel: One of the newest hotels in town, offering a 24-hour concierge service. Located in the main Top Town area, it also has an excellent cafe and restaurant with western and Asian cuisine. See laecityhotel. com. Tel: +675 472 0138.

Lae International: The city’s premier hotel has recently renovated rooms, full bar service, conference and banquet halls, a gym and pool. See laeinterhotel. com. Tel: +675 472 2000.

Lae Travellers Inn: An affordable option, offering clean and comfortable rooms. Just a few minutes from the centre of town, the inn also has conference facilities and a small restaurant serving western and Indian cuisine. Tel. +675 479 0411.

Melanesian Hotel: An iconic property located in the heart of Lae. The city centre is easily accessible and the hotel has nice rooms with harbour views. A gift store and hairdresser is available on site, as well as a contemporary restaurant offering everything from pizza and steak to Asian and roast buffets. See coralseahotels.com.pg. Tel. +675 472 3744.

For general information about Lae, see lcci.org.pg and rainylae.com. Free Wi-Fi at airport Domestic and international passengers at Port Moresby’s airport can now connect to free Wi-Fi. The National Airports Corporation (NAC) announced the development earlier this year.

To connect, users need to present a boarding pass and ID, or passport, at the NAC information desk in the departure lounge where they will receive a username and password.

HELPFUL WEBSITES

Air Niugini, airniugini.com.pg

Business Advantage PNG, businessadvantagepng.com

PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, papuanewguinea.travel

Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry, www.pomcci.com