Escape Rabaul

This journey retraces the untold story of Australian soldiers during World War Two who had to flee Rabaul over the baining mountain range.  Guided by experienced Australian guides, True North Journeys takes intimate groups through Rabaul and the jungles of East New Britain on an 11-day journey of discovery.   The trek, through remote jungles and villages of the Baining Mountains, incorporates history, culture and ancient rituals, and explores the pristine waters of the Duke of York Islands. 

Beginning at the base of an active volcano, which is in the heart of Rabaul,  we will take you on a trekking journey over the baining mountains to see ancient fire dances and music rituals only held by the Baining People. After 4 days we will reach the east coast and together paddle outrigger canoes among dolphin pods, exploring Japanese headquarters, barge tunnels, submarine base and bunkers and go snorkelling across Japanese tanks. We then go island hopping to church missions and schools visiting village choirs and the Australian War Memorial in Port Moresby and Rabaul.

The trip is unique simply because we go where no one else ventures.  ‘Escape from Rabaul’ is a trip that will exceed all expectations leaving travellers with images and experiences that will last forever.  It is a real soul touching experience. Travellers will laugh, play simple games with the children, and share their open fires and cover. The villagers are so warm, genuine and generous. They have little to give but offer us so much.   This trip allows travellers to really feel a natural experience like a first time explorer. There are no mobile phones and no taxis…just the sounds of the jungle and nature.

Itinerary

Thurs:

• All clients meet at Port Morseby Airport. – Flight arrives early afternoon. 
• Collection by Lamana Hotel. 
• Visit Port Morseby Australian War Memorial.
• Lamana Hotel overnight

Fri :

• Depart Lamana Hotel
• Transit to Domestic reminal.
• Fly PX 204 POM – Rab. 7.30 – 8.55 am. 
• Collection by Rabaul Hotel . 
• Visit Japanese Barge Tunnels.
• Lunch at Hotel. / General Discussion
• Visit war sites:
  • Japanese Sub Base (Snorkel / Swim)
  • New Guinea Club 
  •Japanese General Headquaters
  • Japanese Memorial
  • Japanese Tunnels
  • Japanese anti-aircraft gun 
  • Japanese plane wreck
  • Montivideo Memorial
  • Volcano Hot Springs
• Experience ‘Live’ Volcano Rabaul Hotel Dinner
• Rabaul Hotel O/Night

Sat:

•  Leave Rabaul Hotel - morning
• Start Trek
• Overnight Baining village

Sun:

• Trek continued
• Overnight jungle camp

Mon:

•  Trek continued
• Overnight jungle camp

Tues:

• Trek continued
• Overnight Baining village
• Visit men and women customary houses
• Baining woman traditional singing
• Traditional Baining Fire Dance

Wed:

• Collection at end of Trek
• Boat transport to Rabaul.
• Coastal Church/School
• Waterfront Lunch
• Rabaul Hotel Dinner
• Rabaul Hotel O/Night

Thur:

• Depart Rabaul Hotel - morning
• Boat transport to Duke of York Islands
• Snorkeling
• Fishing
• Dive / snorkel over Japanese Tanks
• Japanese Caves
• Church Mission
• Mission Schools
• Swim with a pod of 40 dolphins
• Village singing
• Island Hoping

Fri:

• Depart Duke of York Island
• Waterfront Lunch
• Free time
• Volcano Observtory - Cocktails
• Equipment cleaned.
• Rabaul Hotel Dinner
• Rabaul Hotel O/Night

Sat :

• Depart Rabaul Hotel - morning
• Bitapaka War Memorial
• PX 203 RAB - POM 1.05 – 2.25pm
• Airport Collection
• Australian War Memborial
• Lamana Hotel Dinner
• Lamana Hotel O/Night

Sun:

• Depart Lamana Hotel
• Transit to International
• PX 003 POM – BNE 6.40 – 9.35am

We’ll assess and help you with your fitness
• Initial fitness appraisal for all shapes and sizes
• Personalised 6 week specific wilderness program

Your guidance and your safety
• Two Brisbane based Professional Pathfinders for guidance
• Pathfinders qualified with Wilderness Medical Institute certification
• Public and Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Safety equipment – Satellite phone, digital emergency beacon and life jackets
• Rabaul and Port Morseby Australian Expat networks
• Robust Risk Management Plan for any unforeseen incidents

Your travel and accommodation

• International and Domestic airfares
• Three nights Hotel accommodation at Rabaul Hotel, East New Britain (Australian Ex-pats) – based on twin share
• Two nights Hotel accommodation at Lamana Hotel, Port Morseby – based on twin share
• All journey meals including restaurant meals where required
• Debrief and reflections banquet at Lamana Hotel, Port Morseby
• All land and water transfers

Take home your very own video of your journey
• A compiled video of your groups journey with your new found friends, your adventure, thoughts and highlights of the day and of course you. You will have experienced things that few have ever seen and from my own personal experiences, on arriving home you will want to continually reflect.
• You will get to experience a rich and coloured history from WW2
• Japanese war locations
• Bunkers and Tunnels built by Australian POW’s
• Japanese General Headquaters
• Japanese Barge Tunnels
• Japanese Submarine Base
• Snorkel across Japanese tanks discovered only recently
• Australian War Memorials in Rabaul and Port Morseby

Experience culture and rituals that few people have ever seen !
• Baining Fire Dancing . An ancient ceremony unchanged for thousands of years
• Baining men and women customary houses
• Baining women traditional singing
• Snorkelling
• Fishing
• Church Mission
• Mission Schools
• Swim with a pod of 40 dolphins
• Family sing songs
• Island hopping
• Bustling markets
• Close up view of a ‘active’ volcano

Includes
• Premium 3 Season Tent with dual screen doorway per person
• Premium Mountain Backpacks for your porter to carry
• Thermarest sleeping mat per person
• MSR Stoves, fuel, and cooking equipment
• Eating Utensils
• SteriPEN’s , ultraviolet water purifier
• Personal medical kit including specific bacterial foot powder
• Snorkel equipment
• Baining Porters for EACH person.
• Baining Porters for group equipment

Your Journey does not include the following
• Visa
• Medical immunization and other travel health related issues
• Personal Expenses such as laundry, hotel phone bills and drinks

Travel Agents Enquiry Here