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Papua New Guinea🇵🇬 | attractionsPort Moresby Nature ParkRaggiana birds, tree kangaroos, cassowary, crocodile pens | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Port Moresby Nature Park
🏆 Top pickattraction ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Port Moresby Nature Park gives you the one thing the capital rarely does: a safe, walkable stretch of green where you can see PNG’s famous animals in a single easy morning. It sits in Waigani, in the northern suburbs of Papua New Guinea’s capital, a short ride from the city center. Come for the birds of paradise and the tree kangaroos. Those are worth your time, and you will get close enough to see feather detail you would never catch in the wild. Skip any plan to make it a full day, because the grounds are compact and two to three hours covers it. Expect modest crowds, mostly school groups and local families, and a relaxed vibe with shaded paths and a few tired enclosures. Unlike Varirata National Park, where the birds and wallabies are wild and you earn each sighting on a ridge trail, the nature park hands you the animals in captivity, guaranteed.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 attraction in Papua New GuineaWhat makes it a must-see attraction

Papua New Guinea hides most of its wildlife in forests that take serious time, money and guides to reach. Port Moresby Nature Park compresses the highlights into one easy visit, which makes it a smart first-day stop if you are landing in the capital and need something to do between flights, visa errands and onward bookings. You can stand a few meters from a Raggiana bird of paradise, the species on the national flag and emblem, and watch the males’ orange flank plumes in action. For many travelers that beats a week of squinting into canopy.

There is also a real sense of context. Seeing a Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo curled on a branch explains why people here talk about highland forests with such pride, and it will sharpen your eyes when you later head into the mountains or to the coast. The … read more 👉
Papua New Guinea hides most of its wildlife in forests that take serious time, money and guides to reach. Port Moresby Nature Park compresses the highlights into one easy visit, which makes it a smart first-day stop if you are landing in the capital and need something to do between flights, visa errands and onward bookings. You can stand a few meters from a Raggiana bird of paradise, the species on the national flag and emblem, and watch the males’ orange flank plumes in action. For many travelers that beats a week of squinting into canopy.

There is also a real sense of context. Seeing a Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo curled on a branch explains why people here talk about highland forests with such pride, and it will sharpen your eyes when you later head into the mountains or to the coast. The park also works as a calm break from the capital’s edge. Paths are shaded, and you can wander without the tension that comes with many other Port Moresby outings. Give it a morning, then move on.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Port Moresby Nature Park

  1. Birds of paradise aviary: The park’s best-known draw. Raggiana birds, PNG’s national emblem, show off plumes that look unreal up close, and morning is when they are most active.
  2. Goodfellow’s tree kangaroos: These highland marsupials, with their russet coats and long tails, are rarely seen in the wild. Here you can watch them climbing and feeding at eye level.
  3. Southern cassowary enclosure: A big, blue-necked bird with a helmet-like casque and prehistoric stare. Seeing one behind a fence makes its reputation make sense.
  4. Wallabies and other marsupials: Smaller kangaroo relatives hop around grassy areas, and the cuscus and other forest mammals add variety. Late afternoon is when they stir.
  5. Saltwater crocodile pens: A good look at the reptile that shapes life along many PNG rivers, with scale and teeth
… read more 👉
  1. Birds of paradise aviary: The park’s best-known draw. Raggiana birds, PNG’s national emblem, show off plumes that look unreal up close, and morning is when they are most active.
  2. Goodfellow’s tree kangaroos: These highland marsupials, with their russet coats and long tails, are rarely seen in the wild. Here you can watch them climbing and feeding at eye level.
  3. Southern cassowary enclosure: A big, blue-necked bird with a helmet-like casque and prehistoric stare. Seeing one behind a fence makes its reputation make sense.
  4. Wallabies and other marsupials: Smaller kangaroo relatives hop around grassy areas, and the cuscus and other forest mammals add variety. Late afternoon is when they stir.
  5. Saltwater crocodile pens: A good look at the reptile that shapes life along many PNG rivers, with scale and teeth you can judge safely from the walkway.
  6. Orchid and botanical plantings: PNG has thousands of orchid species, and the garden areas give you a quick, shaded introduction to local flowering plants between animal stops.
If time is short, skip the garden plantings and go straight to the birds and tree kangaroos.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Port Moresby Nature Park

ADVENTURE KOKODA 8 Day History Trek Australian Led

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ADVENTURE KOKODA 10-Day Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek Australian Led

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11 Day Kokoda Trek From Port Moresby

11 Day Kokoda Trek From Port Moresby

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Private Port Moresby City Tour

Private Port Moresby City Tour

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ADVENTURE KOKODA 8 Day Kokoda Trail Trek

ADVENTURE KOKODA 8 Day Kokoda Trail Trek

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11 Day Kokoda Trek Australian and Local Guides

11 Day Kokoda Trek Australian and Local Guides

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

The dry months of May to October are the most comfortable window for the Nature Park, when mornings are clear and paths stay firm.
  • Dry Season (May to October): Days reach 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F) and nights drop to 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F). Port Moresby is one of the drier spots in PNG, so rain is light. Animals are most active in the cooler early hours. Sunrise is around 6:15 and sunset around 6:15 to 6:30 pm.
  • Wet Season (December to April): Expect 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), heavy humidity and short, loud downpours, usually in the afternoon. Grass turns green, and the gardens look their best. Visitors are fewer, though muddy paths and heat make midday visits draining.
  • Holidays and Weekends: Saturdays bring local families, so the park is livelier. Weekday mornings are quiet. Independence Day in mid-September
… read more 👉
The dry months of May to October are the most comfortable window for the Nature Park, when mornings are clear and paths stay firm.
  • Dry Season (May to October): Days reach 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F) and nights drop to 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F). Port Moresby is one of the drier spots in PNG, so rain is light. Animals are most active in the cooler early hours. Sunrise is around 6:15 and sunset around 6:15 to 6:30 pm.
  • Wet Season (December to April): Expect 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), heavy humidity and short, loud downpours, usually in the afternoon. Grass turns green, and the gardens look their best. Visitors are fewer, though muddy paths and heat make midday visits draining.
  • Holidays and Weekends: Saturdays bring local families, so the park is livelier. Weekday mornings are quiet. Independence Day in mid-September draws crowds across the city.
  • Prices: Entry fees stay steady all year. Flights and rooms in the city climb around September and during mining conference periods.
Arrive when the gates open and finish before noon, since the animals nap and the heat peaks after that.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Stay in the Waigani and Boroko area, which is the closest practical base for the Nature Park, a short ride away on the eastern side of the city.
The park sits next to the University of Papua New Guinea campus and the Waigani Drive corridor, so places here are close enough to reach by a short taxi without crossing the whole city. Boroko is the older commercial center, with supermarkets, banks and a few guesthouses that take budget travelers. Waigani has government buildings, quieter streets and several mid-range lodges with secure compounds, which suits solo travelers who prioritize safety.
Gordons, … read more 👉
Stay in the Waigani and Boroko area, which is the closest practical base for the Nature Park, a short ride away on the eastern side of the city.
The park sits next to the University of Papua New Guinea campus and the Waigani Drive corridor, so places here are close enough to reach by a short taxi without crossing the whole city. Boroko is the older commercial center, with supermarkets, banks and a few guesthouses that take budget travelers. Waigani has government buildings, quieter streets and several mid-range lodges with secure compounds, which suits solo travelers who prioritize safety.
Gordons, near Jacksons Airport, works for early or late flights and has hostel-style guesthouses where you will meet other backpackers, volunteers and field workers. Many of these accommodations offer fenced compounds, guards and shared kitchens. Social evenings usually happen in the guesthouse itself, because walking around after dark is not advised anywhere in Port Moresby.
Town and Ela Beach have more restaurants and a waterfront, but they are further away and cost more. Book ahead, arrange airport pickup, and use trusted taxis or guesthouse drivers for every trip, including the ride to the park.
Best hostels in Papua New Guinea


Best quality hotels in Papua New Guinea

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A day at Port Moresby Nature Park costs about US$75 to 110 for a backpacker, and most of that goes on getting around and a safe bed rather than on the gate. The park sits in the Waigani area, next to the University of Papua New Guinea, and it holds the country's main collection of native animals, including tree kangaroos, cassowaries and birds of paradise. Prices are paid in kina, and the figures below are converted to US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$5 to 10Charged per adult at the gate. Children pay less, and foreign visitors may be asked for a higher rate than residents.
Guided walk or keeper talkUS$0 to 10Often included or available for a small extra amount. Ask at the entrance when the next one starts.
Taxi to and from the parkUS$10 to 25Hotel-booked or radio taxis
… read more 👉
A day at Port Moresby Nature Park costs about US$75 to 110 for a backpacker, and most of that goes on getting around and a safe bed rather than on the gate. The park sits in the Waigani area, next to the University of Papua New Guinea, and it holds the country's main collection of native animals, including tree kangaroos, cassowaries and birds of paradise. Prices are paid in kina, and the figures below are converted to US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$5 to 10Charged per adult at the gate. Children pay less, and foreign visitors may be asked for a higher rate than residents.
Guided walk or keeper talkUS$0 to 10Often included or available for a small extra amount. Ask at the entrance when the next one starts.
Taxi to and from the parkUS$10 to 25Hotel-booked or radio taxis are the safer choice. Agree the fare before getting in, and arrange a return pickup.
Public minibus (PMV)US$0.50 to 1Cheap along the Waigani corridor, but not advised for first-time visitors or after midday.
Food and drinkUS$6 to 15Snacks and drinks at or near the park. A fuller lunch in a Waigani or Gordons cafe costs more than street food.
Accommodation (low season)US$30 to 55Dorm beds and basic guesthouse rooms in secure compounds. Port Moresby is pricey for what you get.
Accommodation (high season)US$40 to 65Rates rise slightly during the dry months and around major events. Book ahead.
Total Daily BudgetUS$75 to 110Entrance, a guided talk, taxis both ways, food and one night in a secure room at high season rates.
Budget most of your money for secure transport. Walking between sights is not practical in the capital, so taxis to the park, plus a driver who waits or returns at a set time, make up the largest variable cost of the day.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Port Moresby Nature Park

Plan on 2 to 3 hours for the Nature Park, which is enough to walk the enclosures and gardens at an easy pace. The tree kangaroos, cassowaries and birds of paradise are the highlights, and mornings are the best time to see them active. Add another hour if you want to wander the adjoining botanical areas or have a snack.
For most visitors, yes, since the fee is only a few US dollars (roughly K10 to 25). It is one of the few safe, easy places in Port Moresby to see PNG wildlife such as tree kangaroos, wallabies and birds of paradise up close. Two hours here costs far less than a guided wildlife trip elsewhere in the country, and it suits travelers who have a layover or a spare morning.
Take a taxi or guesthouse driver from Waigani, Boroko or Gordons, a ride of roughly 10 to 25 minutes depending on traffic and costing about US$5 to 12. The park lies next to the University of Papua New Guinea on the eastern side of the city, about 20 to 30 minutes from Jacksons Airport. Public PMV minibuses run along Waigani Drive but are not advised for first-time visitors, so arrange a return pickup with your driver.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Plan on one morning, three hours at most. Arrive when the gates open, since the birds and tree kangaroos are livelier before the heat builds, and the shaded paths stay comfortable. Anything longer is wasted unless you are a dedicated bird photographer. I would bring a zoom lens, water and a hat, then head to Varirata for the wild version if you have a spare day.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Papua New Guinea. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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