Port Moresby: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea on the southern coast of New Guinea, with about 400,000 residents. The country's economy rests on liquefied natural gas, gold, copper, timber and agriculture, and the capital on government, mining and gas companies, banks and international organisations. It is the gateway to one of the world's most diverse countries, where hundreds of languages are spoken.

Who it suits: specialists of mining and gas companies, embassy and international organisation staff - with security and housing provided by the employer. It is not suitable for moving a family on your own initiative, remote work or retirement.

Security

• Crime is high: robberies, carjackings and assaults happen even in daytime.
• Foreigners live in secured compounds and travel by car with a driver, rarely walking around the city.
• Advice - many governments advise a high degree of caution for travel to the country, and against visiting some provinces.
• Employers usually provide security briefings, guards and an evacuation plan.

Districts: where foreigners live

• The centre and Touaguba - offices, hotels and the waterfront, with secured residential complexes.
• Boroko and Gordons - malls, offices and expat housing.
• Waigani - the government district with parliament and ministries.
• New bayside complexes - modern flats with security and pools.

Cost of living

• Housing for foreigners - among the most expensive in the region due to demand for secured compounds, and usually paid by the employer.
• Groceries - mostly imported from Australia, with high prices.
• Transport - a car with a driver or company transport; public transport is not recommended for foreigners.
• Currency - the kina; many large contracts are pegged to the dollar.

Practicalities: climate, language, connectivity

• Climate. Tropical: +28-32 all year, a dry season from May to November and a wet season from December to April.
• Language. The official languages are English, Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu. English is used in business and government.
• Connectivity. Mobile internet works in the city but is expensive and not always stable.
• Health. Malaria and dengue; prevention and insurance with evacuation to Australia are needed.

Entry and legal status

• Tourist and business visa - arranged in advance; an electronic visa is available for some nationalities.
• Work permit - arranged by the employer, followed by a work visa and residence for the contract term.
• Family - spouses and children get visas through the employee.
• Permanent status - hard for foreigners to obtain; the country has no residence programmes for investors or remote workers.

Work and economy

• Gas and mining - the main employers of foreign specialists: LNG projects, gold and copper mines.
• Banks and consulting - offices in Port Moresby.
• International aid - Australia and other donors fund projects in education, health and infrastructure.
• Foreign-owned business - requires registration with the investment authority, and some sectors are reserved for citizens.

Family: schools and healthcare

• Schools - a few international schools with Australian curricula, with limited places.
• Healthcare - limited; serious cases are evacuated to Australia, so insurance with evacuation is essential.
• Leisure - diving and fishing, the yacht club, private clubs and restaurants in secured compounds.

How to prepare for a trip

1. Visa - in advance, on an invitation from your employer or organisation.
2. Vaccinations and prevention - against malaria, plus a yellow fever certificate if arriving from countries where it occurs.
3. Insurance - with medical evacuation.
4. Security - a briefing, airport pickup and transport with a driver.
5. Money - cards at hotels and large shops, kina cash for small expenses.

Nature and culture

• Varirata National Park - forests and lookouts an hour from the city, with birds of paradise.
• The Kokoda Track - the famous multi-day hike across the mountains, done with guides and porters.
• The Sepik River and the Highlands - traditional villages and festivals reached by domestic flights.
• Diving - coral reefs and wrecks close to the coast.
• The National Museum - collections of masks, canoes and ritual objects from the country's peoples.

Trips outside the capital are arranged with trusted operators and security.

Is it worth living here

Only under a contract with an employer providing security, housing and medical evacuation. Port Moresby pays specialists well and offers access to the country's extraordinary nature, but high crime and limited healthcare make it unsuitable for moving on your own. For life in Oceania with clear visas, many choose Australia.