Papua New Guinea · Culture

3-Hour Cultural Tour of Rabaul with Volcano Views and WWII History

3 Hours Round trip from Rabaul East New Britain Province Easy pace

Hot Springs with Mt Tavurvur volcano in the background

Rabaul Historical Museum (New Guinea Club)

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Capture photos of Mt Tavurvur Volcano from the Hot Springs
02 Explore Rabaul's colonial, wartime, and 1994 eruption history at Yamamoto Bunker
03 Take in panoramic views over Simpsons Harbour and nearby volcanoes from the observatory
04 Walk through Rabaul Market and see fresh organic produce grown in volcanic soil

Embark on a 3-hour tour from Rabaul Wharf and discover the region's striking mix of volcanic landscapes, wartime history, and everyday local life. Travel to the Hot Springs for close-up views and photos of Mt Tavurvur Volcano, then visit the Yamamoto Bunker and New Guinea Club to learn about Rabaul's colonial past, WWI and WWII history, tsunamis, pre-independence years, and the destruction of the town in 1994. Continue to the Rabaul Volcano Observatory for panoramic views over Simpsons Harbour, Rabaul, and the nearby volcanoes, before ending with a walk through Rabaul Market to meet locals and see fresh organic produce grown in the area's rich volcanic soil.

Embark on a 3-hour tour from Rabaul Wharf and discover the region's striking mix of volcanic landscapes, wartime history, and everyday local life.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Rabaul

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Volcano Views, Wartime History, and Rabaul Market

8:00 AM: Depart Rabaul Wharf and drive for 15 minutes through the ruins of Rabaul to the Hot Springs.
8:15 AM: Arrive at the Hot Springs and spend 20 minutes here. This is the closest you can drive to the volcano, so you will get off here to learn more about the volcanoes and take photos of Mt Tavurvur Volcano and the hot springs.
8:35 AM: Depart for Yamamoto Bunker and the New Guinea Club.
8:50 AM: Arrive at Yamamoto Bunker and the New Guinea Club. Here, you will learn about the history of Rabaul Town, including colonial times, WWI and WWII history, tsunamis, pre-independence history, and the destruction of Rabaul Town in 1994.
9:20 AM: Depart for the Rabaul Volcano Observatory.
9:25 AM: Arrive at the observatory and enjoy this magnificent lookout with beautiful views of Simpsons Harbour, Rabaul, and the nearby volcanoes. Learn about the beehives in the middle of the harbour and more.
9:45 AM: Depart for Rabaul Market.
10:00 AM: Arrive at the market and enjoy a 20-minute walk around it. Say hello to locals and see the fresh organic vegetables, which testify to Rabaul's rich volcanic soil.
10:20 AM: Depart for Rabaul Wharf.
10:30 AM: Arrive at Rabaul Wharf.

Where this trip takes you

Hot Springs, Mt Tavurvur Volcano, Simpsons Harbour, Rabaul Market

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Rabaul East New Britain Province 1 city · 3 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport
English-speaking tour guide
Bottled water
Site fees

What's Not Included

Insurance

What to bring

Sunglasses and a hat
Wear light clothes
Flip-flops are okay

Know before you go

The area can be very hot and humid for many travellers.
Sunscreen or sun lotion is handy.
Not a lot of walking is involved.
Bring small change in PNG Kina or AUD if you wish to buy arts and crafts at the tour sites.

Logistics