Travling from OZ to Iran Jaya / Papua New Guinea

[alexander]

Hi,

Im thinking of dropping by Australia in Oct november, and have been thinking of going up to PNG and Merauke, IJ.

Do anyone here have any experince witch such a travel, and if you know if there are any ferries going from OZ to PNG?
I think I saw it somewhere sometime on TV, but can't find anything on the web..

Thanks Alot.

Alexander

 

[Jonny]

Gday Alexander,

I have been to PNG a few times.

Only real way to get there is by plane. Air Nuigini and Qantas flies there. Book through Air Nuigini as they are cheaper. 3 hr flight from sydney.

You are looking at about $1500 return to Port Moresby for the time you are travelling. Sometimes there are cheap flights departing from Cairns.

There are herps everywhere up there and its pretty amazing.

It is also very dangerous for foreigners within the cities so its best if you travel with a local there who knows the safe areas etc.

cheers

Jonny

 

[alexander]

Hey Jonny,

The airfair was pretty steep, I must say.. but it probably worth it when you get there..

Thank you for the advice, I was watching "lonely planet" when they went to PNG and they were denied to leave the hotel by staff after dark, so as you say cities are dangerouse areas.

thank you for all advise.

Can I ask where in PNG you have traveled?
and what species you have seen?

regards
Alexander

 

[Jonny]

I have been to most parts of New Britain, some parts of New Ireland and around Port Moresby.

Seen scrub pythons Morelia amystina
Papuan Blue tongue
Few gecko species
Few skink species
Papuan taipan
Papuan black snake
Papuan small eyed snake
Various Death adder species
GTP
IJ Carpet python
Golden tree snake
Furina sp
Varanus gouldi
Other varanus species that are similar to v.indicus (apparently there are a few species of mangrove monitors up there)
Various species of frogs
Bufo marinus
Gilberts dragon

those are the ones i remember, never really kept a list but there are heaps of herps to chase up there.

cheers

Jonny

 

[mrmikk]

Be careful in PNG man, the 'Rascals' are a lot worse than their name suggests. A lot of the territory there is dead set law-less. Take care.

 

[alexander]

Jonny,
thank you.. that list looks good. will be interresting to go there.

MrMike,

I hear you on those rascals, I watched a episode of Lonely Planet, and the crew was denied to leave the hotel after dark as it could be life threathing as far as I understod.

thanks again to both for replying.

regards
Alexander

 

[Tsubakai]

In regards to the flights, check out the Qantas prices first. I know a few pilots and they are a bit sceptical about the quality of Air Niugini as a company. One of them said he would not fly with them at all.

Port Moresby is the worst area. Once you get out of there the safety issues are a lot better.

Just my opinion but do your research first. I want to go there myself sometime soon. The scuba diving is pretty good and I want to see some of the areas my grandfather was in during WWII (but I think from his stories he did more drinking that fighting)

 

[cmclean]

We had our managers go to PNG a while ago, they were terrified in Port Moresby, there was gunfire and some Rascalls as you call them, were reaking havoc on the streets outside the hotel. They just barred the doors and waited it out...

Would b a great place to visit to see the mountains, wildlife, but perhaps Madagscar would be a better option...

 

[alexander]

Tsubuakai, thanks for the heads up on the Air Niugini, Id rather pay more and live than save a buck and die..

CmClean, well madagascar doesnt hold Croc-monitors and morelias, and mad boas aint interresting, Iv had some dumirilis and they did not make me want to got to Madagascar..

Morelias and monitors are far cooler, even tough gun-shots come with the habitat..

regards
Alex

 

[cmclean]

YOu may certainly get gunshots while you are there, just make sure they are aimed at you...
Make sure you take a heaps of pics of PNG and post them when you get home... We would love to see your trip there.

 

[alexander]

McClean,

Ill do my best at posting pictures if I live to tell the tail...

What I found to be the worst case scenario would be to do the journey, allmost bitt by taipans, eaten by forest people, shot at by rascals, surviving it all and then too have the camera and memory card gets stolen.. that would suck..

Alex