Explore the pristine tropical paradise of Kavieng with Dorian and Cara. The numerous passages and drop offs around Kavieng are pristine, current swept , teeming with Pelagic species of infinite variety. Big Fish is not the only attraction: World War II Wrecks, Diversity of Marine Life, plunging Walls, Fresh Water Caves, untouched Coral Gardens. Year Round diving whatever your interest or experience.
Kavieng, the provincial capital of New Ireland Province is located on the Northern Tip of the island of New Ireland. Situated between 20 and 50 South Latitude and 150 and 153 east Longitude, long and thin, New Ireland the shape of a giant rib is 360km long but not even 10km wide in places. This island has an unusual geology, down its centre runs a range of mountains, which attain an elevation of seven thousand feet, extremely rugged and precipitous. New Ireland with New Hanover and its off shore islands, Tingwon, Mussua - Emira, Tabar, Anir, Tanga and Lihir comprise New Ireland Province.
Kavieng is your typical South Pacific Sea locale. The Scenery is stunning and contrasting, myriads of low lying coral islands surrounded by Golden sandy beaches or mountainous islands which drop sharply into the sea. Kavieng has a commanding position overlooking Nusa harbour and the islands. A limestone bluff in the centre of town was turned into bunkers during World War II. Japanese gun emplacements and various other remnants of the war can still be explored.
New Ireland the second largest of PNG's outer islands acts as the eastern barrier for the Bismarck Sea.
The scenery is stunning and contrasting -low lying coral islands surrounded by golden beaches and pretty fringing reefs and mountainous islands which drop sharply into the sea.
Kavieng has a population of a about 3500.00, it is the administrative centre of the province and has most of the essential services found in a medium size country town, Airport, shipping wharves, banks( Westpac and Bank of south Pacific), post office, a general hospital though small, fire brigade, Hotel, Lodge, guest houses, golf course and club.
The Dutch laid claim to discovering the area in the 1516. During successive centuries others came and left including the notorious British Pirates Dampier and Carteret, not far behind Christian missionaries and traders followed. Countless French, Dutch and British would be colonials died over the the decades in attempts to control this wild and remote area. The Germans in the late 1800's made Kavieng one of the most prosperous parts of their colony, New Guinea. Stories still abound about Baron Boluminski, who developed plantations along the tropical Boluminski highway.
World WarI ended all German aspirations in the area, Australia administered the region until the next batch of conquerors - The Japanese - took control of New Ireland in 1942. they developed Kavieng into one of the major Pacific military bases along with Rabaul until their surrender in 1945. Australia then took over until independence on September the 16th 1975. Since independence life has slowed down considerably.
The provinces main income is derived from Copra, Cocoa, Palm oil and with the recent construction ofa fish processing facility, coastal fishing.
Arriving at Kaviengs modest airport and driving into this small laid back town, not much reveals of the centuries of war and turmoil or the many colonial adventurers who came trying in vain to conquer and retain these islands.
Since PNG's independence 16 september 1975 life has slowed down in Kavieng. the only invaders are the divers, surfers and tourists who come to enjoy this pacific wonder. |
