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Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

Enrico Salte
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The most popular location in Papua New Guinea for divers, Madang Province consist of reef-fringed lowlands backed by some of the most rugged mountains in Papua New Guinea and offshore volcanic islands. Colourful Madang township has been called the "prettiest town in the South Pacific". It's peninsula setting is a show-place of parks, waterways, luxuriant sade trees and sparkling tropical islands.

Madang Province has one of the South Pacifics most beautiful harbours, with a backdrop of steep mountains and lush tropical vegetation. There is good fishing and diving along the magnificent coast, which is world famous for its coral gardens and superb visibility. Madang was the centre of heavy fighting during World War II, and there are 34 sunken ships to explore at Hansa Bay, near Bogia. Although small, Madang has modern urban facilities, including hotels, department stores, markets and artefact shops. It is a key destination for meetings and conferences.

Culture
With a population of 362, 850, the diverse geographical nature of the province is reflected in the make-up of its people who can, by virtue of lifestyle be broken into four distinct groups - islanders, coastal people, river people and mountain people. These groups are of similar appearance except for the small-stature Simbai tribe who live in the foothills of the mountains.

The traditional dressing consist mainly of traditional dyed multi-coloured grass skirts made out of either pandanas leaves or sago palm. The women from the mountain areas, wear skirts that are colourless, narrow and stringy. Unlike the women, men wear mushy net aprons in front and a clutter of target leaves astern.

Flora and Fauna
Madang is outstanding in its range of natural mountainous, coastal and island features. Some of the elegant flowers and plants, from ferns to tall lofty coconut trees combine to beautify the province. Birds like Hornbills, or Kokomo in the local dialect is found in the jungle at an altitude of 1200m and is used or worn as adornments. The fan shaped crest of the Victorian Guria, also known as Crown Pigeon, is used for decorative purposes such as the hair dress for the singsings (traditional dances).
Visitors can see the Elizabeth Sowerby Orchid Collection and cuscuses, hornbills, cockatoos and tree kangaroos at Madang Resort Hotel.

Attractions
Pretty Madang, built on a peninsula that shelters a deep harbour, has many parks with pleasant shady walks, and views out to sea and the nearby islands from the 30m-high Coastwatchers Memorial at Kalibobo Point. The market, located on Badaten Road, has produce, handcrafts and artefacts and is best on Saturdays.
The Madang Resort Hotel and Smugglers Inn have workshops and markets for carvings, shell jewellery and bilums, or try the local market. Traditional clay pots are made at Bilbil Villages just south of Madang. Tours can be arranged.
Kranket, Siar and Samun islands all have accommodation and are fantastic for day trips for swimming, snorkelling and picnicking.
The islands of Manam and Karkar have volcanic cones rising 1800m above sea level. The smoking cones provide a spectacular sight for visitors. Manam Island volcano erupted again November 2004. Madang hosts the Mabarosa Festival each year, a colourful display of dancing, singsings and bamboo bands.

Things to do
Diving and snorkelling: There is great snorkelling off all the islands around Madang Harbour and at Jais Aben Resort, 20km north of Madang. Fantastic dive sites near Madang are Magic Passage, war wrecks and Planet Rock, an underwater sea mount with a population of curious hammerhead sharks, multitudes of small fish and beautiful corals. Further north there are war wrecks at Bogia Bay and Hansa Bay. Reefs around Bagabag Island are swept by strong currents and have pelagic fish.
Fishing: Anywhere off the coast around Madang is good, especially Bagabag Island. Hotels, dive operators and the visitor bureau have lists of charter boats.
Canoeing: Jais Aben resort has canoes for hire as do the guesthouses on Siar Island. Otherwise hire someone from one of the many villages to paddle you around.