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Long,
narrow and mountainous, New Ireland boasts undeniable beauty, peaceful people,
never ending beaches, the popular Malagan show, the unique annual Shark Calling
festival, game fishing and a history visited by explorers, missionaries, traders
and Japanese armed forces. Discovered by Dutch explorers in 1516, it was 1877
when the first missionaries arrived. With the development of copra plantations
it soon became one of Germany's most profitable colonies. During World War 2,
New Ireland fell to the Japanese and many of the island's towns, infrastructure
and industry was destroyed.
New Ireland was also the setting for the saga of the Marquis de Ray who advertised Cape Breton as a thriving settlement, sold hundred of hectares of land to gullible settlers who were dumped with three weeks supplies, including a mill, note books and bricks, into a tangled jungle, with perpetual rainfall and unfriendly neighbours. Most died of starvation or malaria before being rescued and sent to Australia. Parts of the grinding stone for the never used grain mill can still be found in Kavieng. As for the Marquis de Ray, he ended his days in a lunatic asylum in France.
The provincial centre of Kavieng is situated at the northern tip of the island. It has often been described as a typical Somerset Maughan south sea island port. It has a large, beautiful harbour and is a popular destination for game fishing enthusiasts. Along the edge of the harbour is Kavieng's Harbour Drive, a gently curve road, shaded by huge trees, which passes many points of historical interest. A couple of kilometres out of Kavieng, along the Buluminski Highway, a little pathway leads off the road to a limestone cave filled with crystal clear water. At Utu village, the high school has a small museum with exhibitions of Malagan carvings - carved totem-like poles used in initiation ceremonies and rituals; ancient stone tools and vessels and a shark catching propellor.
Kavieng:
Sea breezes keep Kavieng cool and it’s a pretty place to wander around. Across
the harbour is Nusa Island and as you wander along the waterfront you’ll find
the market, the port and a fishery, and at the end the
hospital.Artefacts: The island people are skilled canoeists and carvers, and traditional ceremonies remain an important focus of their life. Collections of Malangan carvings can be seen at the Kavieng Hotel and Malagan Malangan Beach Resort and a small shop at the airport has a few pieces. The carvings are usually done for burial ceremonies and rites of passage. Carvers can be seen at Libba Village near Konos.
Offshore Islands: The many small islands sheltering the harbour can be visited and some have accommodation. Dinghies travel out regularly and you can island hop or arrange to be picked up later. Swimming and snorkelling are excellent.
Festivals: Held late June or early July, the Luka Barok festival celebrates old rituals and includes shark-calling and feasting. The Malangan Show and Independence Day celebrations are held over four days in mid-September.
Shark-calling: The traditional art of calling sharks is practiced along the coasts of New Ireland but particularly on the west coast around Kontu and Tabar villages. New Ireland is the centre for the art of shark calling. Certain men have the ability to call up sharks. The unfortunate shark swims up to the callers boat where they can be speared and netted. Alternatively the shark propeller is used - a noose is hung with half coconut shells which make a rattling noise, attracting the shark up through the noose. A rope attached to the noose is connected to a wooden propeller which is spun round to tighten the noose and simultaneously pull in the rope. The shark, unable to keep moving, effectively drowns.
Things to do
Diving and snorkelling: War wrecks, big fish, coral and sharks are just some of the things to be seen here. Local land-based dive operators are Lissenung Island Resort, which has gear hire, and Archipelago Diving in Kavieng, which takes courses and also hires gear. Mansava Adventure Lodge on Tsoi Island, off Lavongai or New Hanover Island, is an hour and a half by boat and has great diving and snorkelling.Fishing: Rods and tackle can be hired from the Kavieng Hotel
(675)(984 2199) and they also arrange game fishing tours.
Surfing: There are
many good breaks close to town, accessible by boat or vehicle. Nusa Islands
Retreat, based on Nusa Lik Island, has accommodation and caters for surfers,
phone (675) 984 2247.
Canoeing: Canoes and paddlers can be hired from the beach front in Kavieng to visit some of the islands or you can hire an outrigger from the Malagan Beach Resort and practice the art of paddling. Nusa Island Retreat also offers traditional canoeing as does Mansava Adventure Lodge (see diving).
Golf: The nine-hole golf course lies between Tabar Terrace and Tanga Street and the Golf Club is located on Coronation Street. Golf clubs can be hired from the Kavieng Hotel.
Cycling: Being flat, Kavieng is ideal for cycling and there is little motorised traffic. Bicycles can be hired from the Kavieng Hotel Ph: 984 2199 and Malagan Beach Hotel Ph: 984 2344 The Boluminski Highway on the north-eastern side of the island is flat and sealed for 74km. Beyond here the crushed coral surface is smooth and easy to ride but very bright. There is guesthouse accommodation at Sali Village (55km), at Libba and Konos (about 140km), at Karu (220km) and at Namatanai (264km). The road on the south-eastern side also offers good riding although there are fewer places to stay. For bike tours and hire contact Rainbow Tours in Kavieng or New Ireland Tourism Bureau through Kavieng Hotel Ph: 984 2199, fax: 984 2234.
New Ireland Province includes a number of offshore islands. From the northeast coast are the islands of Tabar, Tanga, Feni and Lihir. Lihir Island is the site of the Lihir gold mine, reputed to have the second largest gold deposit in the world.
Click here to view accommodation listing in New Ireland Province
Air Niugini and other third level airlines provide flights to Kavieng from Port Moresby. They also provide connections to Kavieng from other centres in PNG
