Top 20 Destinations for Australians: Rabaul, Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea is one of Australia’s nearest neighbors but still so many of us haven’t been there.

This small country is one of the richest and most diverse experiences that you could offer.

No matter what you are into, Papua New Guinea has it: amazing beaches, snorkeling and water sports, cultural experiences, volcanoes, spas, festivals, bird watching, nature, WWII history…the list goes on. Admiringly, PNG is a vacation for those a bit more daring and adventurous.

My husband and I went to Rabaul with our two kids, 7 and 9 years old. Part of the reason we chose Rabaul out of all the other PNG places was so that we could get that “out and away” feeling without giving up on some of the standard commodities that we are used to.

I love backpacking but it is different with kids. Rabaul used to be the provincial capital until 1994 when the volcano Tavurvur erupted.

Now, the capital is located in Kopoko. This is where the main market is though you will find enough of food, restaurants, and services in Rabaul.

Contrary to what you may think, Rabaul is not devastated by the volcano. The lava from the Tavurvur volcano is very rich in nutrients. Now, some of the most lush and beautiful flora can be found around Rabaul. The scenery is a crazy mix of volcanic ash and a tropical paradise. Yes, Mt Tavurvur is still active. This was one of the most action-packed holidays I have ever had.

Every day was filled with something new. Yet, it was also one of the most relaxing holidays that I have had ever. Yes, ever. I really felt like I got away to a whole new world without feeling out of touch with reality. Some of the things we did included: -Snorkeling around reefs and sunken Japanese planes from WWII -Eating amazing food made with coconut creams and other tropical fruits -Visiting hot sulfur springs created by the volcano -Going on a guided tour of the Rabaul caldera -Exploring through networks of Japanese tunnels left over from WWII -Watching great tribal dances during a cultural tour. -Visiting WWII monument cemetery I am not the biggest history buff, but Rabaul is really rich in WWII history.

You don’t have to love history though to enjoy this.

My kids had a great time going through the caves (some still have tanks inside of them) and tunnels. Snorkeling around those sunken war vessels is out of this world. We learned a lot without feeling like we received a lesson. Definitely a hands on approach to history! How to get to Rabaul, PNG: The airport in Rabaul was destroyed during the volcanic eruption. Now, the airport is located outside of town at Tokua.

There are regular flights to Port Moresby but from there you will have to take another flight to Rabaul. A lot of the hotels have a pickup service from the airports.

The PNG planes are old but they haven’t had an accident in something like 30 years. Money: 1 Kin=$0.40 Au What to bring: Good hiking boots is a must.

The wet season is from December to March, but make sure to bring a raincoat any time you go. Obviously, your swimsuit and sun block are a must. Mosquito repellant is also a must.