East New Britain district, Papua New Guinea

Places to visit near Rabaul

Rabaul is a town in East New Britain district, Papua New Guinea, home to about 8,074 people. Within 50 km by road there are 150 places to visit — 44 beaches & coast, 45 churches, 20 rivers, islands & mangroves and 19 hill stations & viewpoints. The must-see places are Tavurvur (8 km), Vulcan (9 km) and Watom Island (18 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Rabaul on the map

Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
Rabaul, East New Britain district, Papua New Guinea. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Rabaul at a glance

Location
East New Britain district, Papua New Guinea
Population
about 8,074
Coordinates
4.2004° S, 152.1630° E
Places within 50 km
150 (11 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to March for beaches & coast; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Rabaul

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Rabaul: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Rabaul, by type

Beaches & coast near Rabaul

83 beaches & coast within 100 km of Rabaul. The closest is Vunavuvur Beach Volexville, Rabaul (1 km); the best-known is Matupit Harbour (7 km). Best time: october to march.

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Churches near Rabaul

48 churches within 100 km of Rabaul. The closest is Malaguna 1 United Church (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Rabaul

40 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Rabaul. The closest is Dawapia Rocks (5 km); the best-known is Watom Island (18 km). Best time: september to february.

  • Watom Island · river spot · East New Britain · ~18 km · Must-see
  • Urara Island · river spot · East New Britain · ~31 km · Must-see
  • Kabakon Island · river spot · East New Britain · ~33 km · Must-see
  • Ulu Island · river spot · East New Britain · ~35 km · Must-see
  • Kerawara Island · river spot · East New Britain · ~36 km · Must-see
  • Makada Island · river spot · East New Britain · ~37 km · Must-see

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Rabaul

24 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Rabaul. The closest is Lookout Volcano Observatory (1 km); the best-known is Tavurvur (8 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Forts & heritage near Rabaul

8 forts & heritage within 100 km of Rabaul. The closest is Montevideo Maru Memorial (2 km). Best time: october to february.

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Museums near Rabaul

2 museums within 100 km of Rabaul. The closest is New Guinea Club Museum (3 km); the best-known is Kokopo Museum (23 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Rabaul

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 60 km on the road.

  1. Start in Rabaul
  2. 9 km Vulcan · viewpoint, East New Britain
  3. 7 km Tavurvur · viewpoint, East New Britain
  4. 6 km Yamamoto Bunker · viewpoint, East New Britain
  5. 3 km Lookout Volcano Observatory · viewpoint, East New Britain
  6. 17 km Watom Island · island, East New Britain
  7. 18 km Back to Rabaul

Plan a longer trip from Rabaul — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Rabaul

No traveller has reported from around Rabaul yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Rabaul

    All places near Rabaul by distance

    Within 15 km of Rabaul

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Rabaul by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Beaches & coast4483Vunavuvur Beach Volexville, Rabaul (1 km)
    Churches4548Malaguna 1 United Church (1 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves2040Dawapia Rocks (5 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints1924Lookout Volcano Observatory (1 km)
    Other attractions1010Abandoned City of Rabaul (3 km)
    Forts & heritage78Montevideo Maru Memorial (2 km)
    Museums22New Guinea Club Museum (3 km)
    Caves02Matenkupkum (94 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs11Klin Wata-Baining, Enb (24 km)
    Parks11Bitagiau (37 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens11Mandress Swamp (38 km)

    Rabaul: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Rabaul?

    Tavurvur (viewpoint, about 8 km), Vulcan (viewpoint, about 9 km), Watom Island (island, about 18 km), Lookout Volcano Observatory (viewpoint, about 1 km), Yamamoto Bunker (viewpoint, about 3 km), Matupit Harbour (beach, about 7 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Rabaul?

    150 places on Spotwander: 44 beaches & coast, 45 churches, 20 rivers, islands & mangroves, 19 hill stations & viewpoints, 10 other attractions.

    Which is the nearest beach to Rabaul?

    Vunavuvur Beach Volexville, Rabaul, about 1 km by road; Simpson Harbour (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Rabaul?

    Malaguna 1 United Church, about 1 km by road; St. Francis Xavier Co-Cathedral (2 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest river spot to Rabaul?

    Dawapia Rocks, about 5 km by road; Watom Island (18 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Rabaul?

    Start in Rabaul, visit Vulcan, then Tavurvur, then Yamamoto Bunker, then Lookout Volcano Observatory, then Watom Island, and drive back — about 60 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Rabaul?

    October to March for beaches & coast; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Rabaul

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Rabaul’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Rabaul on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.