Lae Things To Do
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Lae International Hotel Poolside
For a refreshing swim followed by drinks and lunch, Lae Inter offers full access to the hotel facility. Cost: K15 per person. Open: 7 days a week, until 6.00pm. *Pool is closed by management when the Conference Centre is in use. Contact 4th Street P.O. Box 2774 Lae 411, Morobe Province Papua New Guinea Tel: +675 472 2000 Fax: +675 472 2534 Email: [email protected] Web: www.laeinterhotel.com |
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Crocodile Farm (Mainland Holdings)
Opposite St. Josephs Technical School, 8 mile Mainland Crocodile Farm is one of the largest commercial producers in the southern hemisphere and an integral part of the crocodile industry in Papua New Guinea. A member of the Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), the farm breeds saltwater crocodiles for their skins and meat. The crocodile farm is an active promoter of the sustainable use and conservation of the wild crocodile population in Papua New Guinea, in close partnership with the wetlands local communities, who harvest eggs and young crocodiles from the wild. Visits can be arranged for Fridays & Mondays between 8.00am and 4.00pm. To arrange contact Joe Kavi, tel: +675 7160 2798. Facebook: facebook.com/Niugini-Tablebirds |
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Lae War Memorial
Memorial Avenue, south of the Botanical Gardens. The Lae War Cemetary is well maintained by the Australian government. There are 2808 graves, 2363 of which are Australian, the rest being Indian, New Zealand or British. An Anzac (Australian New Zealand Army Corp) Day dawn service is held here yearly commemorating those who lost their lives during WWII. Pay a visit and read some of the headstones. Open daily: 7am-4pm |
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Lae National Botanic Gardens
Milford Haven Road The Friends of the National Botanic Gardens (LAE), in partnership with key stakeholders, restored and reopened the Lae Botanic Gardens in 2015. Through the delivery of the National Botanic Gardens (LAE) Advancement Program, Friends will continue to restore the Gardens for recreation and research purposes, and to provide a space to welcome and educate national and international audiences about some of PNG’s most diverse and resilient natural habitat. The Gardens are open from 9am-4.30pm seven days a week. Visitors can park and purchase entrance tickets at the Forestry Research Institute on Huon Road or contact Michael Lovave (details below) for group bookings. Friends are continuously open to support from businesses, government and the broader community to help implement the program. For more information please contact Michael Lovave at the Forestry Research Institute via email: [email protected] or tel: 4721 041/188. |
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Hilma Wong Friendly Park
An open park located at Voco Point. Good for a short walk. Sadly it could do with a good clean up and regular care and attention but good for a look around and photos of the coast. |
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Lae Rainforest Habitat
Located at Lae Unitech, 8km from the centre of Lae. The Rainforest Habitat is a subsidiary of Unitech Development & Consultancy Limited, the business arm of the PNG University of Technology (Unitech). It comprises 3000 sq metres of reconstructed rainforest inside a covered shade house. It incorporates a pond, raised walkways, plants and birds, saltwater crocodile and cassowaries. Now somewhat run down, the rainforest habitat is still worth a visit. Wear insect repellent. Tel: +675 473 4662 Price: Adult K10, child K5 Open: 8am-4pm |
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Amelia Earhart Memorial
Markham Road (heading towards the Huon Gulf, it sits just passed the roundabout to Top Town, on the left hand side). Amelia Earhart was an American aviation pioneer and the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She received the U.S. Distinguisewd Flying Cross for this record. During an attempt to make a circumnavigation flight of the globe in 1937 in a Purdue-funded Lockheed Model 10 Electra, Earhart disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island. Her final flight to complete this journey departed from Lae on July 2nd 1937. Today a memorial marks that flight and the disappearance of the pilot, located on Markham Road. Final Flight: Search for Amelia |
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Lae Main Market
Air Corps Road At the local fresh food market you will find colourful tropical flowers and an abundance of tropical fruits and vegetables including: tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, tapioca, yams, peanuts, spring onions, bananas, pineapple, papaya, watermelons, local oranges and mandarins, mangoes and local greens. Opening Hours Mon-Fri: 7am-4pm Sat: 7am-noon. Keep your wits about you, theft is common. Don't carry any valuables, take market money (small change in coins) and a bilum to carry your purchases. |
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Second hand shopping
Great way to pick up a bargain, the second hand shops around town have been known to sell some designer pieces with the labels still on! Value City Huon Road, Eriku Lae Maket Clos Malaita Street |
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Salamaua
Salamaua was a small town situated on the north-eastern coastline of PNG. The settlement was built on a minor isthmus between the coast with mountains on the inland side and a headland. The town was captured by the Japanese on 8th March 1942 during World War II and later retaken by Australian forces on 11th September 1943 during the Salamaua-Lae campaign. During reoccupation the town was destroyed. Today the villages of Kela and Lagui occupy the site as well as holiday houses mainly used by expatriates based in Lae. More info: wikipedia From Lae, Salamaua is reached via boat across the gulf. It's a short 45 minute journey. Public banana boats can be taken from Voco Point for K30 one way. Alternatively hitch a ride from Lae Yacht Club with boat owners regularly making weekend trips. For an overnight stay, Haus Kibung is a bit run down but for the beauty of the surrounds it's worth it for a night camping style. Take your own food and bedding. Contact Elias Kigi Tel: +675 7322 0904 / +675 7287 1415 |
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Lae Waterfall
Located approximately a 1 hour drive past Unitech there is a waterfall that makes for a great day trip from Lae. It's a small waterfall with a well shaded, cared for grass area perfect for a picnic lunch or BBQ. Directions
You will see two houses that sit just up from the waterfall and it's here that you can ask permission to use the area and offer some food such as rice, noodles, sugar and/or teabags. The villagers are very friendly. |
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Road Trips - out of town
Please take caution when travelling out of Lae by road. It is highly advised you travel with a group and in convoy, maintaining radio and phone contact with each other and with a security company for the duration of your journey. Roads are often affected by extreme weather. Trucks and other heavy loaded vehicles are regularly traveling along the Highlands Highway, often at speed.
Lae Explorers Club
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Lae Explorers Club was a club which allowed people working and living in PNG to discover all the wonders of the country as part of a group. The club organised visits all over the country – generally travelling in convoy from Lae in four wheel drive vehicles as well as local picnics and family days. There was also one ‘big trip’ every year usually a week in duration; always very successful. Club members were known to be adventurous, friendly, with a great sense of fun and ranged in age from just a few months old to over 60.
Unfortunately the majority of the original Club members no longer live in Lae and there hasn't been a trip planned for some years. Maybe this is something you can see yourself starting up again.....let us know and we'll reach out to the residents of Lae. It would undoubtedly be very welcome. For more of an insight into the former Club visit the Facebook page and website. |
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Places to go
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Kainantu
Kainantu, via the spectacular Kassam Pass is a town in the Eastern Highlands that has some historical significance as an airstrip town during WWII. Kainantu functions primarily as a market town for local produce growers and cash croppers. It is located on the Highlands Highway approximately 170 kilometres by road from Lae. Kainantu has basic facilities such as a school, hospital, police station, district court, cinema and service stations. Yonki Dam Over the Ramu River, Yonki Dam is on the way to Kainantu and worth pulling over to take a look. Highlands Cultural Centre Located just as you enter Kainantu town on your left, the Cultural Centre sells local pottery and artifacts. Kainantu Lodge A good option for a lunch stop or an overnight stay. Good BBQ lunch on Sundays and meals or snacks at other times. Motel style rooms are quite comfortable for sleeping. Trip Advisor |
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Bulolo
Bulolo lies at the foot of the Watut and Kuper Mountain Ranges in Morobe Province and is a two hour drive from Lae through spectacular scenery. Bulolo has a temperate climate year round. There are many sites of interest close by including World War II B17 Bomber in Wau and the historic Gold Dredges dating back to the 1930’s. A visit to the Baiune River area takes in a tour to the original hydro power station and a 20 minute drive away is a hot spring. Pine Lodge Built in the 1930s, the Lodge features 17 deluxe rooms, all with private facilities and a balcony. Residents can relax in the mountain scenery or take a visit to the legendary gold mines. Contact Tel: 4745 220/284 or 72041501 Manager: Michael Bago Email: [email protected] Bulolo Country Club 9-hole golf course, snooker table, table tennis, darts and open deck. Accommodation is available in modern bungalows adjacent to the Club overlooking the fairways of the golf course. The Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bulolo Golf Club Ambrose is held in November. Contact Tel: +675 474 5952 or +675 7338 8510 Email: [email protected] Web: OUR TOWN | PNGFP |
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Goroka
Goroka is a trading centre on the Highlands Highway about 285km from Lae and 90 km from Kainantu (above). It's the capital of the Eastern Highlands Province with approximately 19,000 people (2000). With its leafy streets and pleasant climate, Goroka is well worth a visit. Goroka’s main cash crop is coffee, which you can see growing under the canopies of larger trees in the hills throughout the district. The Goroka Show is the best known cultural event and tribal gathering in PNG. Held around September, it's a three day event that has been happening annually for over 50 years; the oldest show in PNG. Trip Advisor Bird of Paradise Hotel There is also the Lantern Lodge and Minogere Lodge. |
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Madang
Madang is the capital of Madang Province, 5-6 hour drive from Lae (passing Ramu below), which is reasonable in the dry season but is often difficult and occasionally impassable in the wet season. A 4wd vehicle is necessary for the gravel road. It is situated on a beautiful harbour, has some good hotels, a resort, Yacht Club and Madang Country Club that welcome visitors and golf, tennis and lawn bowls in the centre of town. Madang is a popular spot for surfing, check out Tupira Surf Club Trip Advisor Jais Aben Resort Kalibobo Village Madang Lodge Madang Resort Madang Star International Hotel |
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Ramu
Ramu Agri-Industries Limited (RAIL) is located at Gusap in the Ramu Valley, approximately 190 km from Lae (2 hrs 30mins steady driving) on the Lae – Madang highway. A trip to Ramu is a great weekend getaway if you enjoy motorbiking, golf, cricket, hill walking or you just want to relax in beautiful surrounds. Ramu Guest House has 4 double rooms, 8 single rooms and a dining room. For bookings contact Jessica Ahupa: [email protected] or [email protected] Ramu Management Club has a number of facilities including: 20 metre swimming pool, tennis court, 18 hole golf course, pool room, badminton court, games room, fully licenced bar with a small museum. For more information visit their facebook page at: www.facebook.com/raimgmtclub |
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