The province of East New Britain is an adventurous and attractive place to visit, with evergreen rainforest vegetation, rugged mountain ranges and imposing volcanoes.
It offers an abundance of birdlife, the most well known being the megapode bird, Melanesian scrubfowl, which lays its eggs in volcanic ash. Locals mine for these eggs, digging down through metres of ash – a true test of resilience and commitment.
The tropical environment provides opportunities for bush trekking, mountain trekking, mountain climbing and cave exploration. Volcanoes, both active and dormant, surround East New Britain, and most can be climbed – with care. Mount Tavurvur last erupted in 1994 and although dormant still sends out jets of steam today.
Having been occupied by three colonial powers – Germany, Australia and Japan – the region is rich in history, with reminders throughout the region, from a war cemetery and museum to bunkers and barge tunnels. Underwater World War II boats and plane wrecks await discovery.
Culturally, New Britain is unique and diverse, the area being populated by five ethnic groups, whose cultures and traditions are still practiced today with the paying of bride price ceremonies, and breaking of TABU (shell money). East New Britain has spectacular cultural festivals and ceremonies not seen anywhere else in the world, such as the famous National Mask Festival which takes place in July.
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