Rabaul, on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea, is one of the Pacific's most dramatic destinations: a harbour town rebuilt around an active volcano, Tavurvur, which buried the old capital in ash in 1994. Flights arrive at Tokua Airport near Kokopo, the town that took over as the provincial capital, and together the pair make a remarkable visit.
Book an airport transfer to Tokua Airport
Fixed-price private transfers with English-speaking drivers. Meet-and-greet included.
Getting to and from Tokua Airport
## Getting to Rabaul and Kokopo
Daily domestic flights connect Port Moresby with Tokua Airport in about an hour to an hour and a half. From Tokua, Kokopo town is a short drive, roughly twenty to thirty minutes by taxi at around thirty to sixty kina depending on luggage and negotiation. Rabaul itself lies a further thirty to forty-five minutes by road from Kokopo around Simpson Harbour, and boats also link points around the bay.
Nearby hotels in Tokua Airport
## Tavurvur and the sights
The headline is Tavurvur, the active cone on the edge of Simpson Harbour that destroyed Rabaul in 1994 and forced the capital's move to Kokopo, twenty kilometres away. Guided trips visit the ash plains, steam vents, and hot springs at its base, and the volcano can be climbed with local guides when activity allows. Beyond the volcano, the area is layered with World War Two history, including Japanese tunnels and relics around Kokopo and Rabaul, and Simpson Harbour's reefs and wrecks make the region a genuine diving and snorkelling destination.
Powered by Stay22 — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Practical info & when to visit
## Practical notes
Kokopo has the accommodation, banks, and markets, so most visitors base there and day-trip to Rabaul and the volcano. Arrange volcano visits, WWII tours, and diving through your lodge or a local operator, and treat guides as essential around Tavurvur, whose activity varies. Papua New Guinea logistics reward patience: reconfirm flights, carry kina in cash, and check your government's current travel advice for PNG when planning the trip.