Rabaul, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Airing Date: Aug 4th, 2003
Having been involved in both World Wars and flattened by two volcanic eruptions, Rabaul now shines with character and strength born only through adversity. Combine that with a beautiful harbour, colourful markets and friendly locals, and Rabaul makes a fascinating place to explore.
Rabaul was once considered Papua New Guinea's most spectacular city, until it was destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption. On the Sunday morning of 18th September 1994, earthquake activity caused eruptions of two Rabaul cones, Tuvurvur and Vulcan. As tonnes of ash, gas and pumice spewed from the volcanos, over 100 000 people had to flee the city.
Today, parts of old Rabaul still remain a weird wasteland buried in black, volcanic ash, but there's also another side to Rabaul. The new town is thriving with culture, historical war relics and festivals. Its beautiful harbour, littered with sunken wrecks, also offers exceptional diving and many divers come here from around the world to explore the harbour's beautiful underwater world.
In Rabaul you can learn a lot about Australia's involvement. The city's WWII story tells of atrocities and a bureaucratic bungling that left over one thousand Australians dead. Nevertheless, it is a significant story for many Australians, highlighting the incredible feats of nearly 1400 soldiers left to defend themselves against the might of the Japanese war machine. Unfortunately, only 400 of Australian soldiers made it home.
You can go to the Australian war memorial, about an hour out of Rabaul to pay your respect. There's also a war museum about half an hour out of town. But if you're looking to go off by yourself, you can explore the countless tunnels and caverns. Japanese soldiers had dug over 500km of tunnels during WWII and you can see the scattered wreckage of Japanese planes.
Despite everything that's happened, this harbour is still tropical paradise stuff. It's still shining with life, celebrations and beckons intrepid travellers to relive its past.
The facts:
Nuigini Holidays have 3 night packages to Rabaul. Prices from the east coast start at $1005 per person twin share and that includes Air Nuigini flights, 3 nights at Kaivuna Resort Hotel, breakfasts and a half day tour of Rabaul.
Nuigini Holidays
Tel: 1300 850 020
