A town rebuilt in the shadow of an active volcano
Rabaul sits on the rim of a flooded volcanic caldera at the northeastern tip of New Britain. Once the elegant capital of East New Britain, it was buried in ash by the 1994 eruptions of Tavurvur and Vulcan, and much of the population and administration shifted to nearby Kokopo. The surviving town endures beneath the still-active Tavurvur cone.
Rabaul was a German colonial capital before WWI, then an Australian administrative centre. In WWII it became the largest Japanese military base in the South Pacific, honeycombed with tunnels and defended by tens of thousands of troops. The town has been repeatedly damaged by volcanic activity, most catastrophically in the twin eruptions of September 1994.
Best May–Oct (drier) · Hot/wet Nov–Apr — this reflects Papua New Guinea's seasonal weather and crowds.
Visa on arrival (60 days, many passports). Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — always confirm with the official Papua New Guinea government or embassy before you travel.
Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK). You can convert USD to the live local rate right on this page.
English is the primary language in Papua New Guinea.
Dial 000 for emergencies in Papua New Guinea.
Tap water here is generally rated "Avoid tap". When unsure, choose sealed bottled or filtered water.
Type I. Bring a compatible adapter — you can build a full packing list for Rabaul on this page.
Safety varies by neighbourhood and changes over time, so there's no one-word answer. The local emergency number is 000. Check SkyOSK's safety notes for Rabaul and your government's current travel advisory before you go.