Things To Do

Madang is located within Madang Province on the north-coast of Papua New Guinea and considered one of the prettiest towns in the South Pacific.  A popular holiday destination for domestic and international travellers, its airport has daily flights to and from Port Moresby.

Geographically, you will discover the offshore volcanic islands of Manam, Boisa, Karkar, Bagabag, Crown and Long Island; and experience the natural beauty of coral gardens found in crystal clear waters.

Culturally, this beautiful, tropical garden township is a place where tourists can experience a diverse range of cultural and natural attractions; and Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) also works closely with the local villagers to provide an insight into their local customs and ways of life.

Whether it’s one of those rare experiences where the weather is not suitable for diving, or you’re simply wanting to immerse yourself in the local culture, there is an abundance of other activities and touring experiences that are available during your time in ‘beautiful Madang’

Golf Madang Papua New Guinea

Village and Island Tours

MTS offers a selection of touring packages where you can visit the surrounding villages’ including:

  • Haiya Village (20 minutes from Madang Resort) where you can experience a demonstration of village life firsthand

  • Bilia Island and Village (5 minutes from Madang Resort) where you will see traditional pottery being made

  • Siar Island and Village (40 minutes from Madang Resort)

  • Kranget Island (2 minutes from Madang Resort)

  • Balek Wildlife Reserve featuring bright blue sulphur pools with eels that you can feed

    Other places that are available to be explored include the iconic Coastwatcher’s Lighthouse (Kalibobo) and the local museum - Madang ‘Haus Tumbuna’.

For local wares, located just outside of Madang Resort, is Resort Haus Kaving– established by MTS – and where local Papua New Guinean women sell their handmade crafts, jewellery and bilums.

Whilst renowned for its World War II dive wreck sites, there is also a lot of World War II history to be discovered on land - including an old Japanese airfield, plane wrecks including a relatively well-preserved Mitsubishi 'Betty' Bomber and bomb craters and the Alexishafen Mission Station.

The local market is held daily in the town, except for Sunday, where food artisans from the surrounding islands of Madang come to sell their exotic fruit, vegetables, traditional handmade dresses known as ‘meri blous’ and iconic handwoven bags – ‘bilums’.

Advance bookings are required if guests want to enjoy a traditional ‘sing sing’ – a gathering of tribes or villages to share their distinct cultures through dance and music – peacefully sharing their rich traditions.

Traditional “sing sing”

  • Fishing

    The pristine coastal waters around Madang are renowned for their abundance of blue and black marlin, sailfish and dogtooth tuna – providing a paradise for the fly, light, medium and heavy tackle angler.

    You can fill the esky up through topwater action with giant trevally and yellow lip emperors. For spearfishers’, Mangrove Jack and Maori Sea Perch can also be found. For those that enjoy bottom fishing, the deeper reefs are renowned for large and smallmouth nannygai and red emperors.

    The close proximity from the ocean drop-off to shore, and with coastal currents running up to five knots, sailfish, yellowfin, mahi mahi, mackerel and many more species come to within 200 metres of the shore.

    Out on the remote reefs you are almost guaranteed to catch either dogtooth tuna, Spanish mackerel, giant Marlin and sailfish.

    A percentage of fish caught will be prepared to your instructions by Madang Resort’s restaurant, Haus Win, for your dining enjoyment. The remainder of fish is donated to the Madang local hospital.

    Freediving, game and spearfishing boat charters can be arranged directly with MTS. A limited range of tackle gear is available for hire.

  • Spearfishing

    Spearfishing in Papua New Guinea is a truly spectacular experience. The fertile, and nutrient rich waters, attract a huge variety of prized trophy fish that are on every ‘Spearo’s’ ‘bucket list’.

    Whether you are chasing Blue Water action hunting dogtooth tuna or the valued game fish - Wahoo; the elusive vermiculated coral trout, rusty job fish or red emperors – this is a must visit destination for all keen ‘Spearo’s’.

    Spearfishing charters must be arranged in advanced and divers must bring their own fishing gear. Divers are expected to have adequate CPR, first aid and freediving rescue training.

  • Surfing

    Papua New Guinea is a relatively new destination for surf enthusiasts to discover.

    With its season running from October to April, MTS can take groups of surfers to explore the more remote surf sites north of Madang including Bogia – offering sensational surfing.

    A surf management plan is in place in Papua New Guinea and advance bookings are strongly recommended to guarantee a wave.

  • Water Activities

    Madang Resort features two lagoons and hotel guests are able to hire kayaks, paddle boards, catamaran sailing boats and canoes.

  • Snorkelling

    In the pristine waters that surround Madang, the colourful coral reefs are home to a variety of tropical marine life from the vibrant colours of the angelfish to the spectacular butterfly fish. Through the crystal-clear blue waters, snorkellers will have a front-row seat to experience this spectacular display of ocean life.

    The NDA Dive Shop, located within the Madang Resort, can arrange snorkelling excursions.

  • Golf

    Guests of Madang Resort and Kalibobo Village enjoy membership of the picturesque Madang Country Club’s 9-hole golf course – located within walking distance of the hotels on Coastwatchers Avenue. The club’s facilities also include a squash court and bowling green.

  • Nature Walks & Trekking

    MTS conducts guided nature walks in the early morning or afternoon. Driving to nearby rainforests by, walkers take a short walk to experience ancient caves and their inhabitants including bats, many species of birdlife and with a little luck - a Bird of Paradise.

    Extended treks can be arranged to include visits to the Shaggy Ridge, Teptep in the Finnisterre Mountains, Simbai - located on the Bismarck Mountain Range and PNG’s highest peak, at 4905 metres, Mt Wilhelm.

    Trekking can also be arranged over Shaggy Ridge with advance notice and extended trekking is available between Kundiawa and Madang via Bundi.