Varirata National Park: Port Moresby's Best Kept Secret - Must See

The park is less than an hour’s drive from Port Moresby, Varirata National Park covers 1,063 hectares inhabited by all the main iconic species of Papua New Guinea.

I visited several fun places both within and outside Port Moresby but my recent visit stood out - Varirata National Park. To be honest I did not think the visit was going to be fun. It, however, turned out to be an enjoyable trip. 

Other fun places to visit in Port Moresby 

• Port Moresby Adventure Park
• Sunset Lodge
• Loloata Island Resort
• Koitaki Country Club
• Varirata Natioanl Park
• Kokoda Track Memorial
• Bomana War Cemetry
• Tutu Beach

Varirata National Park is at an elevation between 600 and 900 metres. The park is rich with a variety of ecosystems and landscapes and plants and animals.

The Park offers four tracks to explore its untamed nature, discover its unique plants and observe its extraordinary wildlife.

 New buildings are erected to serve as the Information Centre 

As I mentioned earlier, the park is a must-visit as is the best way to get away from Port Moresby. There are five important things that make Varirata  National Park special.

1. The road condition can be described as excellent. From the turn-off to the look-out and all around the park was sealed and in superb condition. Grasses are trimmed neat and tidy. 

2. The BBQ areas and huts are well kept and in very good condition.

3. Cheap to visit - residents pay only K2.00 per head and external visitors pay K5.00 per head. The caretakers of the park will be happy to show you around.

4. Beautiful view of the surrounding places from the look-out; looking out to Loloata, Port Moreby, Jacksons Airport and the nearby mountain ranges. 

5. Nature Walk and Fresh Air - nothing beats the fresh air from the forest. There are lots of animals and plants to see and adore.

View towards Port Moresby from Main Lookout  (accessed by car) others are walking distances away

Bush Walking 

Varirata National Park is a fantastic place for bushwalking. A great variety of vegetation from woodland to rainforest, beautiful butterflies, huge ferns, wild orchids, fresh air and lookouts with its spectacular views of Bootless Bay.

Five out of the thirty-five species of birds of paradise live in the park, and PNG’s National Emblem, the Raggiana, is without any doubt, is the guest of honour. 

Between April and October, during peak breeding season, there is an excellent chance of seeing some males in full breeding plumage dancing to attract female attention.

Top tip: If you really what to get the best out of your trip to Varirata National Park, I would recommend enlisting a local guide to take you around the walks through the forest. You can ask for guides or assistance at the main entrance.

Go prepared with cash, food, water, sunscreen and bug repellent. As for the serious walkers, this could be a recurring visit once you've done it the first time. 

You've got to visit Varirata National Park if you have been living in Port Moresby, but have not visited the park yet. 

Bird Watching 

Varirata National Conservation Park is famous among birdwatchers for its birds of paradise, accessible by road. Here are some species of birds you can see at the park:

• Raggiana bird of paradise, 
• cassowaries, 
• hornbills, 
• kingfishers, 
• cuscus,
• forest wallabies, 
• echidna, 
• bandicoots, 
• possums,
• green pythons...

Infomation about Varirata National Park 

The Varirata National Park recently opened its new Information Centre at Sogeri outside of Port Moresby. The modern information centre will enhance visitors experience of the nature park. 

The park is already popular with schools excursions, bird watching, weekend outings for city residents and nature tours. PNGTPA is a partner in the development of the Variarata National Park through setting up signboards and working with JICA to develop bird watching attractions in the nature park.

Contact PNGTPA for Varirata Visits

• Media Coordinator/ TPA Board Secretary : Colin Taimbari
• For further information, contact the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s on Phone: +675 320 0211 or email: info@papuanewguinea.travel

Here are earlier posts about the things to do when in Port Moresby:

• Nature Park
• Adventure Park
• NEW Loloata Island Resort (re-opened 2019)

There are also other places out of Port Moresby for the more adventurous spirits like the Koitaki Country Club, March Girls Resort and Sunset Lodge, including Varirata National Park

About PNG Insight

PNG Insight is an education blog. It aims to highlight the key developments in the education sector in Papua New Guinea. Started in 2014 on Google's blogger (now self-hosted on WordPress), PNG Insight strives to be a platform for critical thinking and discussions; and a source of information.

Leave a comment and let us know about your visit. 

10 Adventure Activities To Do at the Port Moresby Adventure Park

A day trip to the Port Moresby Adventure Park is an ideal way to spend a Saturday or Sunday with family and friends. The park is also a tourist attraction in the city capital, Port Moresby. The park opens early at around 8.30 am and closes in the evening, at 5.30 pm. 

Other fun places to visit in Port Moresby 

• Port Moresby Adventure Park
• Sunset Lodge
• Loloata Island Resort
• Koitaki Country Club
• Varirata Natioanl Park
• Kokoda Track Memorial
• Bomana War Cemetry
• Tutu Beach

Just to clarify any confusion about the two parks in Port Moresby: the Nature Park is the one past the University of Papua New Guinea. It is within the city precincts. The Port Moresby Adventure Park is located opposite the Pacific Adventist University entrance. About 30 minutes drive from the city, along the road to Sogeri.

General entry to the park is free. That means that you can go in without paying and wander about but only pay (refer to fees below) if you are going to part-take in the park's organised activities. 

The Adventure Park has many fun things-to-do for both young and old. You can easily spend the whole day at the park and do all or some of your preferred activities.

Here are the top 10 fun activities to do at the park. A couple of the activities are free. But you must pay to do others.

1. Party or Barbecue: 

At the cost of K60, visitors can use the bbq hut (haus wind) for the whole day. The visitors are required to pay the fee at the entrance before proceeding to choose a hut. The image shows an area without the shelter - the actual hut is visible at the far end. There is no shortage of huts all around the park.

Source: Adventure Park PNG, Facebook

2. Wander through the Orchid Garden and Birds' Sanctuary 

 It only costs K5 per person to go in. The Orchid Garden has been one of the best-kept orchid gardens in PNG. There is a chance to also hear the Kumul (Bird of Paradise) singing as you wander through this beautiful garden.

Image: FIFA Women's World Cup

3. Children's Waterslides 

The waterslide is fun. It costs K20 per head. Always do the other activities before this one. Once the kids get-the-hang of it, there is no moving away until it's time to go home. Top tip: always take swimmers or shorts to be in the swing of excitement with the kids. 

4. Go Paddling on the Paddle Boats 

It costs K10 per person for 30 minutes. Another fun activity the kids would love. Top tip: take some bread crumbs for the kids to feed and attract the fish to your boat as you paddle along.

5. Merry-Go-Around/Carousel 

At K5 per person, this is sure to put smiles on the children's faces.

Kids are Loving it - Pee Wee Fishing at Royal Papua Yacht Club First Saturday Every Month

Pee Wee Fishing at the Royal Papua Yacht Club (RPYC) is a lot of fun for both children and parents. The kids and parents fun event is held on the first Saturday of every month. Fishing usually starts at 2.00 PM and lasts for 2 hours. 

You can find out about the event at the Yacht Club Facebook page. They usually create an 'event' for the Pee Wee Fishing on their page, so keep an eye out for it or message RPYC before hand.

View from the jetty

A fantastic group of volunteers dedicated their first Saturday of every month to organising this event. The event is made possible by 10 corporate sponsors and runs from February to November. Children are free to get a helping of snacks during fishing. Prizes are also given out after the fishing.

The prizes are awarded to the top three children. So kids and parents, make sure you catch the biggest fish or the most fish on the day. Small-talk on the jetty has it that stingrays, baramundis and crabs have been caught there, as well as fish pulled out of the water in numbers. 
There were also sightings of a 'big' sea snake just around the rockery recently :). You never know what you can catch at the RPYC Pee Wee Fishing event. Sunscreen, hat and water are a must to take with you. 

If you are a parent looking for somewhere to take the children out or kids wanting to have fun, this would one day of the month you wouldn't want to miss. Thank you and hope this helps to get the kids outdoor. 

Sponsors 2017

Fishing rods provided - you can also bring yours

Nov 11th 2017...not the 4th

Leave a comment below if you find this useful. You can also join PNG Insight (Follow @PNG_Insight) for more parents and kids things-to-do around Port Moresby.

Port Moresby's Best Getaways Top Things to Do

POM has lots of things visitors can do. Like any holiday, if you do proper research, you are likely to find the best things around/within the city to do. 

I thought it would be helpful to list 10 touristy 'things' visitors (including locals) can do when in POM.

5 Things To Do in Port Moresby

1) You can arrange for a guided tour along the ranges from UPNG to Hanubada (a good way to see POM from a different angle) or singsing group from one of the Motu Koitabu villages (travel out to the village and enjoy the tranquillity there). 

2) The  Parliament House -Opens every weekday, free f charge. You can look around or go in when the doors are open and visit Parliament Gallery. Check parliamentary sitting time. If you love comedy, you'll enjoy the sessions - a must-watch. 

3) Port Moresby Botanical Gardens - Variety of native flora and fauna to see at the gardens: Animals can be seen up close and personal; Cassowary, Bird of Paradise, Crocodile, Snakes, including a good collection of ferns and orchids. 

4) Vision City Mall - If you are up for a stroll or window shopping, VCM could be the right place to visit. It offers a contemporary shopping experience. (Ssshhh....here is the secrete: given the value of PNG Kina at the moment, overseas visitors can shop and save). Paradise Cinema is located within its precincts- check out the cinema if you want to watch dull movies. 

5) Ela Beach Art and Craft Market - takes place either at the end or beginning of every month. A lively atmosphere, always buzzing with traditional items, PNG bilums, carvings, canvas paintings and all things PNG. You may see a traditional PNG 'singsing' performing at the market. 

5 Things To Do Outside Port Moresby, a Drive away

6) Loloata - day visit to Loloata Island Resort can be arranged easily from any hotel in POM. Spending a day or two is not a problem as there are plenty of activities you can do when on the island: snorkelling, diving, walking, kayaking, or just relaxing in the sun - recommended.

7) Kokoda - If you really want to feel the tropical heat and enjoy the flora and fauna. You've got to do this. Preparation is essential. Tour operators can be found here.

8) Pacific Adventist University Sunday Market - take a trip out to PAU, and enjoy the Sunday morning market and surroundings there. You can also visit the Safari Park while you are there (right at the entrance to PAU) or travel 10 minutes up to Crystal Rapids & to Bomana War Memorial. A complete package can be found on the PNG Trekking Adventures website.

9) Varirata National Park - You don't have to travel to other parts of PNG to see beautiful birds of paradise and enjoy the natural beauty of the place. A day trip to VNP is a better way to get out of the city. 

10) March Girls Resort - Located 3 - 4 hours out of the city, a nice place with a 'black sandy beach'., a good family getaway. Along Magi Highway, travelling past Loloata. There are roadside markets where you can get fresh 'kulau', watermelon, mango and anything on sale at a fraction of the price in POM. Take a picnic, sit on the beach, have an SP beer and enjoy the day.