Overview
Rabaul has an extensive history, in both WW1 and WW2. The beautiful and protected Rabaul harbour was seen as a target for forces in both World Wars.
Bita Paka was the site of the first action in WW1 in 1914, and Rabaul itself was seen as a major target base for the South West Pacific for the Japanese in WW2. We explore both the First and Second World War battlefields.
The tour will include the Bita Paka cemetery, Japanese caves and bunkers, fortifications and gun emplacements, the Japanese submarine base, underground hospital, Kokopo war museum, and more. We will include the Montevideo Maru memorial – a tragic tale regarding Australia’s largest shipping disaster when the prison ship Montevideo Maru was sunk in the South China sea with a loss of around 1153 lives, including around 845 soldiers from the 2/22nd Lark Force.
We will also visit Tavurvur volcano – an active volcano that last erupted in 1994 with disastrous consequences.
The Tol extension will include a boat ride to Tol Plantation, with 2 nights accommodation at Tol. There are many WW2 places of interest around the Tol Plantation, and we will spend a full day exploring the area. Tol Plantation was the site of an infamous action in WW2 when around 160 of our soldiers who had escaped from Rabaul and surrounding areas were captured and subsequently massacred by the Japanese. There is a memorial at the site that we will also visit.
Contact Us
For more detailed information on each trek view the individual trek page on the web site. Contact us for more information.
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Exclusions
- Costs
Your International flight to Port Moresby. Transfer to Hotel
Transfer to Port Moresby domestic airport for the morning flight to Rabaul (Tokua airport). We will be met by our local guide and travel to our Hotel for lunch. We will visit Bita Paka Cemetery and the Kokopo museum before returning to our hotel for dinner. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will be picked up and visit the Japanese Barge Tunnels and the extensive underground hospital, and other large gun emplacements on our way to old Rabaul. We will lunch at the Hotel, then view the Lark Force-2/22nd & Montevideo Maru Memorial, the museum at the New Guinea Club, and visit Yamamoto’s Bunker before returning to our hotel for dinner. (B, L, D)
Early start for a visit to Tavurvur volcano, where those fit enough will climb to the rim (about 30 minutes each way). We will then travel to the submarine base and explore, and visit the wreck of a Betty Bomber and gun emplacements before lunching at our Hotel. The afternoon will be spent visiting the old Governors residence, Japanese Peace Memorial, and more then dinner at our Hotel.
Transfer to Kokopo for our domestic flight back to Port Moresby and transfer to our hotel. (B, L, D)
Transfer to airport for your International flight home. (B)
Early start for transport to Kokopo and boat transfer to Tol Plantation. The boat trip can take 6 hours or more depending on weather. We will be met at Tol by our local guide and transported to the Tol Guesthouse. (B, L, D)
A full day with our local guide visiting the WW2 sites including the Tol Plantation memorial, and Japanese caves and fortifications. (B, L, D)
Transport to the wharf where our boat transport will take us back to Kokopo and to our Hotel. (B, L, D)
Transfer to airport for our domestic flight back to Port Moresby and transfer to our hotel. (B, L, D)
Transfer to airport for your International flight home. (B)
Inclusions
- Domestic flight from Port Moresby to Rabaul & return
- All airport transfers
- Accommodation at Hilton hotel Port Moresby (twin share) before and after the tour
- Transport at Kokopo and Rabaul
- Boat transfer to Tol Plantation and return (Tol extension)
- Accommodation in Kokopo, Rabaul and Tol (Tol extension) – twin share
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- Visit to all WW1 & WW2 battle sites & history briefs & entry fees
- Visit to Tavurvur volcano
- Australian led guide
- Local guides at Rabaul and at Tol
Exclusions
- Your flights to/from Port Moresby
- Drinks and snack from locals
- Drinks at hotels and guesthouses
- Personal snacks
- Visa
- Medications
- Travel Insurance
- Innoculations
Costs
- $4200pp
- $5000pp Tol Extension
Enquire Now
You can send your enquiry via the form below.
