Orion Expedition Cruises

Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

Overview

As this 10-night expedition begins to unfold you will find yourself almost transported back in time as the outlying island cultures of Papua New Guinea’s Milne Bay Province are revealed. Famous for the Battle of Milne Bay, the township of Alotau is rich in history. Orion is your introduction to island groups impossible to visit any other way than by local banana boat. The New Georgia Islands, in the west of the Solomons, offer WWII heritage, beautiful lagoons and spectacular diving before your voyage ends in Rabaul for a last taste of ancient PNG culture and your charter flight to Cairns.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - CAIRNS
The Cairns region is internationally recognised for world-class attractions, superb natural features and friendly north Queensland hospitality. It is the focal point for the magnificent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforests.

The city of Cairns is a delightful blend of colonial architecture, ranging from grand public and commercial buildings to wooden houses built in the distinctive north Queensland style.

Day 2 - AT SEA

Day 3 - MILNE BAY – Wet Landing
Alotau, the capital of Milne Bay Province, is located at the eastern tip of mainland PNG. The rugged Owen Stanley Ranges to the west have isolated Alotau and there is no road access to the rest of the country.

Many of the population of around 10,000 rely on the sea for their livelihood and as a result the busy harbour is the focal point of the town. Cargo movements drive harbour activity, and there’s an array of colourful vessels to be seen, ranging from tiny canoes to well-equipped dive and charter boats.

Australian military history is closely linked to this area. The recently completed Australian War Memorial is close to the foreshore and has a detailed description of the Battle of Milne Bay. In August 1942, the battle over Gurney Airport saw the Australians win the first land-based victory over Japanese forces in the Pacific. Remnants of the battle are still being discovered with aircraft, vehicles and tanks to be found on land and on the seabed.

"Australian troops had, at Milne Bay, inflicted on the Japanese their first undoubted defeat on land. Some of us may forget that, of all the allies, it was the Australians who first broke the invincibility of the Japanese army".
Field-Marshal Sir William Slim, Defeat Into Victory

Diving enthusiasts will appreciate Milne Bay’s diversity. Popular sites include war planes and shipwrecks (particularly the “Mascoota”, a WWII coal transport ship that sank in 1946). Close to Alotau are pristine coral reefs of all shapes and sizes, underwater volcanic vents and caves and abundant marine life - manta rays, brilliant tropical fish, whales and dolphins.

Day 4 - DEBYONE LAGOON – Wet Landing
The idyllic Louisiade Archipelago was named after Louis Vaéz Torres who visited the group in 1606, and Malay traders are believed to have frequented the region even earlier.

Deboyne Lagoon encircles Panaeati, Panapompom and Nivani islands. The residents of each island are skilled in different crafts - Panaeati is home to the Louisiades’ master sailing canoe builders; the other islands specialise in shell necklaces and clay pottery. Each of the islands uses their products to trade with the others, and this has created a strong social bond within the Louisiades.

During the Battle of the Coral Sea four Japanese Zeros ditched into the lagoon. One lies in 5m of water and today you may have the opportunity to view it easily by snorkelling from the beach.

Day 5 - TROBRIAND ISLANDS – Wet Landing
In 1793 the French vessel Esperance marked the first European visit to the Trobriand Islands, which were named after the first lieutenant on board - Denis de Trobriand. The area soon became a hub for trading ships from Europe, American whalers and German ships seeking supplies of yams.

The island is famed for its beautiful beaches at Kaibola and Wawela and hopefully today you’ll have the chance to visit a village and see examples of the disinctive yam houses. The people rely on subsistence farming and fishing, and the yam plays a very important role in their diet. More than just the staple diet, yams are revered by all, being proudly displayed after harvesting and then kept in elaborate storehouses.

When you first meet the locals you’ll see why it is thought that Trobriand Islanders are more closely linked to Polynesia, which is further east of Melanesian PNG. The reasons for this difference are unclear, but it is apparent in the people’s physical appearance and cultural hierarchy. The unique Trobriand culture was studied by the anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski in the early 1900’s and resulted in Kiriwina Island being dubbed (perhaps erroneously) “The Island of Love”.

Orion guests will be able to admire and purchase carvings which are renowned throughout PNG for their high quality and workmanship – look for walking sticks, small stools and bowls of various shapes and sizes.

Day 6 - AT SEA

Day 7 - GHIZO ISLAND - Wet Landing
Ghizo Island lies to the west of Kolombangara, which is dominated by a perfectly conical dormant volcano covered in luxuriant rainforest. The island was used as a base for Japanese seaplanes during WWII.

The township of Gizo is the second largest in the Solomon Islands and is the provincial heart of the Western Province. Visitors use Ghizo as a launching point for WWII wreck exploration on land and underwater, as well as snorkelling and diving amongst some of the world’s most pristine and diverse coral gardens. Wander along the main street for beautiful views out to the fringing reef framed by palms. On most mornings there’s an open-air market, or you can browse the small shops for stone and wooden carvings, woven goods and baskets.

This area is rich in wartime history and not far from Ghizo is Kennedy Island. This picturesque speck in the ocean, formerly known as Plum Pudding Island, was renamed in honour of a famous castaway. In August 1943, the US motor torpedo boat PT109 was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer. Amongst the 11 survivors who swam to shore was its commander - one John F Kennedy.

Day 8 - NEW GEORGIA ISLANDS
In the heart of the New Georgia Islands is a place James A. Michener once described as the eighth wonder of the world – Marovo Lagoon. One of the world's largest double barrier enclosed lagoons, this isolated spot in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands has been proposed for World Heritage listing.

For centuries the area has been geographically and ecologically isolated, accounting for the outstanding diversity and richness of life here, both above and below the surface of the water. Marovo is world famous for its intensive coral reef ecosystems, teeming tropical fish and exceptional dive sites. Just as fabulous is the snorkelling above fringing reefs and huge coral bomboras. Opportunities for fishing abound as these waters are rich with mackerel, barracuda, coral trout and red emperor or imagine yourself paddling a sea-kayak across the lagoon in the late afternoon.

On shore a guided walk into the rainforest might reveal brilliantly coloured birdlife or the relics of WWII. A village visit may see you meeting one of the expert Marovo carvers who create magnificent artifacts from kerosene wood, rosewood and ebony, some adorned with intricate shell inlays. Or just relax and swim from picture perfect coral beaches untouched by footprints.

Offshore from Marovo Lagoon lies Kavachi, one of the world's only visible submarine volcanoes which rises 1200 metres from the ocean floor. Sporadic eruptions toss ash hundreds of metres out of the sea and emit a fiery glow at night.

Day 9 - AT SEA

Day 10 - RABAUL - Dry Landing
Set at the eastern end of the island of New Britain, the tropical port town of Rabaul has always been famous for its spectacular setting. Nestled beside Simpson Harbour, the township is surrounded by six volcanoes, some of which are active today. During more than 100 years of settlement, Rabaul has been rocked by massive volcanic eruptions and war, a testament to the resilience of the townsfolk who have rebuilt after each event.

The most recent volcanic eruption was in September 1994 when Tavurvur and Vulcan covered much of Rabaul and surrounding villages with volcanic ash. The wrecked buildings can still be seen. This eruption saw the growth of the nearby coastal town of Kokopo which has now become the administrative and tourism centre for Rabaul. While in Kokopo, take time to visit the Historical & Cultural Centre, a wide-ranging collection which covers New Britain’s past before and after European settlement, through to the Second World War.

The area played a significant role in WWII and the Japanese occupation in 1942 saw the building of hundreds of kilometres of tunnels underneath the town and the Gazelle peninsula as protection against constant Allied bombing raids. It is almost hard to miss the rusting relics left over by the retreating forces. In one tunnel are five huge barges that were pulled along rails to the shore and back by prisoners of war. Dozens of sunken aircraft and ships dot the harbour and to the north are sea caves used as a drop-off point by Japanese submarines. It is now a popular diving and snorkelling site.

Day 11 - RABAUL - Disembark for flight home

Cost of This Itinerary

10 Night Trip (includes one way return flight):

The least expensive cabin costs:
$741 per person per night

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$1491 per person per night