Madang and Lae, Papua New Guinea

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Morobe Province is the gateway to the highlands and the islands in the Huon Gulf. A beautiful region, it contains century old rainforest, pine trees, the remnants of WW2 artillery, volcanoes, fertile valleys and cattle stations. The capital city of the Province is Lae, the second largest in Papua New Guinea with an international airport, good harbour facilities and the longest road system in the country.

A town from the Gold Rush era, Lae was the last stop for American aviator, Amelia Earhart and there are relics preserved in many sites from the occupation of the Japanese during the Second World War. The Morobe people in this area maintain their agricultural lifestyle despite the growth of industry. A large annual rainfall makes the Botanical Gardens a delight to visit.

The thriving Gold Rush town of Wau in the 1930s is now an echo of the past, but visitors eager to safari around the dirt road will enjoy the trip to Bulolo with its breathtaking scenery.

The people of Madang can be broken into four distinct groups - islanders, coastal people, river people and mountain people. These groups are similar in appearance except for the smaller Simbai mountain tribesmen from the foothills.

Madang township is one of the prettiest towns in the South Pacific. Set on a peninsula, it is a show place of parks, waterways, luxuriant shady trees and sparkling tropical islands. Although small, the town has modern urban facility, a museum and cultural centre, and harbour tours can be arranged to nearby islands. The area is world famous for its coral reefs and superb under water visibility. Big game fishing is also popular.

Yabob and Bilbil villages near Madang are the centre of traditional clay pot production. Two volcanic islands offshore from Bogia have volcanic cones rising 1,800 metres above sea level which provide a spectacular sight for visitors, and the southmost coast road which leads to Balek Wildlife Sanctuary as strange fish-filled sulphurous caves, jungle walks and hot springs.

The Madang Resort Hotel is located along the ocean front on beautiful Madang Harbour, and is only a few minutes walk from the heart of town. The hotel revels in lush botanical gardens which are home to an exotic collection of both native and hybrid orchids, ferns and tropical flora. Local hornbills, cockatoos and tree kangaroos relax in a nearby spacious natural aviary.

The Madang Resort Hotel offers 5 star accommodation covering quality budget, standard and deluxe rooms, suites and waterfront bungalow. All rooms have a private bathroom, air-conditioning, telephone, refrigerator, television and coffee and tea making facilities.

Facilities at the hotel include a boutique style artefact shop, book and gift shop, beauty salon, conference room, private function room, swimming pool, dive shop and coffee shop. In the Haus Tambaran or Spirit House, craftsmen sell local artefacts at attractive prices. Guests automatically have membership of the Madang Country Club and can enjoy a game of tennis as well as Club facilities.

The hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the region - both on land and under water. The Madang Resort Hotel Dive Shop is fully equipped with well maintained diving equipment, and offers PADI horses ranging from a Resort Course to Dive Master. The Resort is minutes away from some of the best diving and snorkelling sites on the north coast of Papua New Guinea at Magic Passage, Barracuda Point and Planet Rock.

The Madang Resort Hotel is also home to the luxurious Melanesian Discoverer which operates expeditionary cruises to the Sepik River and along the north coast of Papua New Guinea through to the Trobriand Islands and down to Alotau.

For travellers seeking a first class holiday off the beaten track, the Madang Resort Hotel is "paradise found".

Jais Aben is a friendly resort, 22 kilometres north of Madang, a peaceful world of simple pleasures filled with good food, welcoming people and comfortable accommodation.

Located on a peninsula beside the warm clear waters of the Bismarck Sea, it was once a 22 acre coconut plantation. Today it is also home to a privately funded research facility, the Christiensen Research Institute which is dedicated to terrestrial and marine biological research.

The accommodation at Jais Aben comprises 18 ocean front units each overlooking small coral beaches. The units have been designed with families and special interest groups in mind. Each unit has ample accommodation for up to four people and all are equipped with refrigerators, and tea/coffee making facilities.

The restaurant has the finest local and international cuisine which is served in a delightful open air setting The lounge provides a mellow ambience where guests gather each evening to relax and enjoy one another's company.

Jais Aben is renowned for its diving facilities. Professional divers are trained to give both novice and experienced divers every opportunity to explore the many spectacular reefs and wrecks offshore from Madang.

The well-equipped dive shop is the only PADI 5-star rated facility in Papua New Guinea and offers an excellent range of diving equipment and resort wear.

Full time PADI instructors conduct complete range of courses for the beginner and the advanced diver. Diving in the clear warm water, viewing the colourful coral reefs and prolific marine life which comes in all shapes and sizes leaves the diver with unsurpassed memories.

For con-divers there are many opportunities to snorkel on the inshore reefs in Madang Harbour. Other facilities at the resort include a swimming pool, conference room, bridge bar, jetty and moorings and free transport brings visitors the 15km from and to the airport.

The smugglers, a name synonymous with Madang, was built in the early fifties to cater for all occasions - business, pleasure, conventions and guided tours. Today, Smugglers Inn Resort provides a complete one stop travel experience for visitors to Madang.

Thr resort is situated in the town's main street, Modilon Road, and is right on the beachfront. From the restaurant you can view local dolphins playing in the surf, fishing canoes, and the distant mountain of Raicoast.

General Manager, George Kotis, is an Australian with many years of hotel industry experience behind him and he vows to maintain a standard second to none. With him around, you can have the best of local and international cuisine, as you let your stresses float away to the accompaniment of the local Malmal Brothers bamboo band.

For relaxation, you need go not further than the hotel's swimming pool with its unique 'se horse' shape design. Or you can venture out with a picnic and explore one of the nearby islands for a day of relaxation, snorkelling, diving, or simply daydreaming under the swaying palm trees.

Drive yourself around town to see and experience the real Madang and also the cultural centres. Airport transfers are complimentary.

Smugglers Inn Resort with its relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, can cater to all travellers, all occasions and all budgets. When you visit Madang, start at Smugglers and you'll be glad that you did.

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