National Parks in Papua New Guinea

• Varirata National Park
  Located in the Central region, Varirata is a haven for native flora and fauna. The park is just 42km from Port Moresby and protects the western end of the Sogeri Plateau, across to the Astrolabe mountains. There is a network of trails, grassy picnic areas and shelters with barbecues, and lookouts giving fine views across to Port Moresby and out to sea. You can camp in the park or stay in the small park lodge.
• Moitaka Wildlife Sanctuary
  Crocodile feeding takes place on Friday afternoons from 2–4pm when the sanctuary opens to the public. There are some huge crocs and it’s an act worth seeing. Other animals and birds include a precocious raggiana bird of paradise. Located a few kilometres out of town on the Sir Hubert Murray Highway. Admission fee.

• McAdam National Park
  This small 2076ha park stretches between Wau and Bulolo, protecting wildlife such as echidnas, cuscuses (a large marsupial), cassowaries and birds of paradise. It also preserves the last virgin stands of Klinkii and hoop pine.
• Labu Tali Conservation Area (Salamaua District)
  Eco tours visit the giant leatherback turtles that come to lay eggs between late November and early February. Boats leave from Voco Point in Lae.
• Kamiali Wildlife Management Area (Salamaua District)
  Local villages run eco tours to see the nesting turtles in this conservation area. Boats leave from Voco Point.

• Baiyer River Sanctuary
  North of Mount Hagen, the park is known for its colourful birds of paradise, and has some pleasant shorter bushwalks.

• Mt Gahavisuka Park
  Set high on a mountainside 11km from the provincial capital of Goroka, this 80ha park has beautiful scenery, great views, picnic shelters and clearly marked walking tracks. There is a botanical sanctuary with rhododendrons and native plants from all over the country, two orchid houses and an information centre.

• Lake Kutubu National Park
  This tranquil lake provides a refuge for birdlife, butterflies, reptiles and turtles. Birds of paradise are plentiful around this beautiful area and you can swim, visit villages or just enjoy the scenery.
• Wasi Falls Wildlife Management Area
  A pristine stretch of rainforest rich in birds and wildlife. There are several waterfalls including the dramatic Wasi Falls (the country’s largest), which plunge 100m into a basin, as well as ancient burial caves. Tubo Lodge can organise birdwatching and wildlife tours.

West New Britain

• Pokili Wildlife Management Area
  This thermally active area is unique for its hot springs, geysers and boiling mud pools. Scrub fowls also use the warm earth to hatch their eggs.

For more information on national parks, write to National Parks Service
PO Box 5749
Boroko.

For more information on wildlife management areas contact the Department of Environment & Conservation
PO Box 6601
Boroko