Adventures in Paradise - Papua New Guinea

Day 1:  Your “welcome aboard” is in the vibrant city of Cairns - but this time embarkation proceedings will be a little different! One of our crew members will escort you aboard North Star’s very own Dash 8 aircraft! Now sit back and enjoy the comfortable flight to Alotau - a traditional islander welcome awaits and as soon as you step off the plane you will begin to reshape your impressions of the “land of the unexpected”.

Perhaps the clean and fresh sea breezes will take you by surprise, or will it be the huge smiles of locals so eager to welcome you to their island paradise!

After clearing customs, we will transfer you to the onboard luxury of the True North and, the delights of our renowned galley!

A ‘seafood extravaganza’ would be fitting fare as we begin to cruise the Province of Milne Bay – a maritime region featuring more than 600 islands!

After lunch, join the first shore parties to Kwato Island. Here we enjoy a short walk through the rainforest to a hilltop church built in 1891. The church enjoys commanding views over the China Straits and it’s easy to see why it was a strategic gun position in the Second World War. The graves of the original missionaries are also a fascinating reminder of those that have come before!

Back onboard join passengers and crew alike for a ‘Welcome Aboard’ cocktail party and the ‘finest in fine dining’.

Day 2: You may just need to pinch yourself this morning – your cabin window will reveal ‘post card’ beaches, palm trees, tranquil villages and a flotilla of canoes. The ship’s helicopter will provide even more unique views of the many fishing villages and back on the ground; you will experience first hand the uncomplicated charm of a subsistent life style! See how everyday life is provided for with few of the modern conveniences that so many take for granted! Visit the ‘skull caves’ and sample a ‘mumu’ – the local method of cooking a variety of tasty foods. The fisherman onboard will already be busy providing more local fare and the area’s prolific corals will entice even those that have never snorkelled before! At days end, relax with a drink in the alfresco bar before another memorable dining experience! Tonight the ship’s naturalist will provide you with an entertaining presentation on the culture and history of this amazing land.

Day 3: Start the day with a refreshing snorkel; catch your breakfast or just stroll along a pristine beach fringed with coconut palms! Then fill your day with swimming, island walks and village life as we cruise the beautiful fiords of Tufi. The ship’s helicopter will spoil with exhilarating flights over endless waterways and lush rain forest! Join the crew for a ‘beach picnic’ to lull you’re senses – tempting delights under palm fronds waving in a gentle sea breeze. In the afternoon local children will entertain with traditional dancing before a sunset visit to a turtle nesting beach. Another day in paradise! More ‘fine dining’ and the delights of your cabin await! 

Day 4: Wake to find the True North off the coast of New Britain - dense jungle and mighty rivers will dominate proceedings over the coming days and the True North’s ‘shallow draft’ will provide unique access! For the keen anglers this will be true paradise - the mighty Papuan Black Bass will challenge even the most experienced! This ‘monster’ is found nowhere else in the world and is considered to be THE toughest adversary of river and estuarine environments. The ‘old foe’ barramundi is also lurking, and saratoga and mangrove jack abound! Join our comfortable expedition boats as we explore deeper into the jungle visiting isolated villages that have little contact with the outside world.

Papua New Guinea is rich in diverse culture and there will be rare opportunities to encounter unspoilt ways! The ship’s helicopter will penetrate even further - reaching mountain ranges where upper reaches and beyond plummet through vertical jungle. Whilst throughout the day - enjoy the ultimate indulgence of returning to your luxury floating hotel!

Day 5: Discover jungles that shelter countless varieties of birds including colourful parrots, hornbills, wild fowl and the famed bird of paradise. Many rare species of butterfly are present and Papua New Guinea is also home to over two thirds of the world’s orchid species. You may be lucky enough to see a reclusive tree kangaroo! You may do battle with hard fighting table fish such as mackerel, yellow fin tuna and mahi mahi. You will certainly find endless irresistible beaches and amazing coral gardens that are just a ‘fin kick’ away! And, for the slightly more adventurous, Papua New Guinea’s reputation as a diving destination could very well be without peer!

No matter what your desire, the coast of New Britain promises unrivalled adventure! Another star filled night in the silhouette of a jungle, and tonight is party night - things might just get a little ‘south pacific’!

Day 6 This morning we arrive at the Duke of York Islands – 17th century trading ships collected water from here. A Methodist preacher by the name of Reverend George Brown settled here in 1875 and, the beautiful and very enterprising daughter of an American whaling captain started a trading empire here! The grim reminders of a world conflict are here too – the snorkelling expeditions will re-discover Japanese tanks in shallow island waters. There will be more opportunities to enjoy local entertainment and, to barter for crafts, our shore parties will explore a local cave system and the ship’s helicopter will provide stunning island views that have been the privilege of few before!

Day 7: Welcome to Rabaul – once described as the most beautiful town in the South Pacific! Perched on the edge of a magnificent natural harbour and, surrounded by active volcanoes! In 1994, the town was smothered under a cloud of ash and now lies largely abandoned – courtesy of nearby Matupit! The volcano still belches smoke throughout the day and the helicopter flights here will be a cruise highlight! Rabaul - South Pacific headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Army! An extensive network of underground tunnels and bunkers. The Australian War Museum is sombre and imposing and the sub base intriguing. At sunset, yet another cruise highlight - the spectacular fire dancers of Baining! Now, join the crew for a farewell dinner to remember!  

Day 8: You will have mixed feelings as you say last goodbyes to our legendary crew – but the adventure is not over yet! Re-join your Dash 8 for a short flight to Madang. Here you will be treated to an overnight stay in one of the finest resorts in the South Pacific. A visit to the Sepik River mask hawkers is a must – this is a classic opportunity to purchase highly desirable art at very reasonable prices! With the Bismarck Sea lapping under your suite – you may just think that you are back onboard the True North. 

Day 9: We’re up early this morning – we need to cram in one more cruise highlight! Your aircraft will leave early for the highland town of Goroka and, the dancing of the Mud Men! Looking more like the inhabitants of another planet, The Mud Menimpress with rich ochre colours, two metre high headdress and the plumes of the bird of paradise! The dancing is proud and fierce and a fitting climax to one of the world’s great luxury adventure-cruises! When the dancing is over we will return you to another world!