How Far is Papua New Guinea from Australia?

Australia and Papua New Guinea are two neighbouring countries located in the South Pacific region. With their close proximity, many Australians and travellers alike are curious about the distance between the two countries. 

In this article, we will explore the distance between Australia and Papua New Guinea, including the closest point between the two countries, the duration of travel, and the connection options.

What is the closest point between Australia and Papua New Guinea?

The closest point between Australia and Papua New Guinea is located in the Torres Strait, which is a narrow stretch of water that separates the two countries. 

The Torres Strait is approximately 150 kilometres (93 miles) wide at its narrowest point, making it the closest distance between Australia and Papua New Guinea. 

The Torres Strait is named after the British navigator, Lieutenant James Cook, who discovered it in 1770 during his voyage on the HMS Endeavour.

How close is Australia and Papua New Guinea, Geographically?

Australia and PNG share a maritime border that extends along the Torres Strait. The distance between the two countries varies depending on the specific locations being compared. 

For instance, the closest point between the Australian mainland and the Papua New Guinea mainland is approximately 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) at its narrowest point, which is between the Cape York Peninsula in Australia and the southern coast of Papua New Guinea. 

However, the distance between other points on the coastlines of the two countries may be further apart, with some areas reaching up to 150 kilometres (93 miles) apart.

Check out this article about on the relative proximity of PNG and Australia

How Far is Papua New Guinea from Australia in Travel Time?

The duration of travel between Papua New Guinea and Australia depends on the mode of transportation chosen. 

The fastest and most common mode of travel between the two countries is by air. Flights from major cities in Australia, such as Brisbane, Cairns, and Sydney, to Port Moresby, the capital of PNG, typically take around 3 to 4 hours. 

However, flight times may vary depending on factors such as layovers, airline routes, and weather conditions.

Alternatively, travel by sea is also possible, with options such as cruise ships or private boats. These methods of travel may take significantly longer, as sea routes are subject to maritime regulations and weather conditions. 

The duration of travel by sea can vary greatly depending on the route taken and the speed of the vessel, ranging from several days to several weeks.

Conclusion

The distance between Australia and Papua New Guinea varies depending on the specific locations being compared, with the closest point located in the Torres Strait. 

Travel between the two countries is most commonly done by air, with flights taking around 3 to 4 hours. There are also sea travel options available, including ferry services and cruise ships, although these may take longer.

What Continent is Papua New Guinea in?

Papua New Guinea (PNG_, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It shares the eastern half of the island of New Guinea with Indonesia, and is often referred to as the eastern half of New Guinea. While New Guinea is the world's second-largest island, Papua New Guinea is considered part of the continent of Oceania.

What Continent is Papua New Guinea in?

Oceania is a geographic region that includes 

• Australia, 
• New Zealand, and 
• the Pacific Islands. 

It is often divided into four regions: Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australasia. 

Papua New Guinea is located in Melanesia, along with other countries such as Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

Geography of Papua New Guinea

The geography of Papua New Guinea is diverse and includes rugged mountain ranges, dense rainforests, and coastal plains. 

The country is known for its rich biodiversity, with numerous unique species of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. 

Mount Wilhelm, located in Papua New Guinea, is the highest peak in Oceania, reaching an elevation of 4,509 meters (14,793 feet).

Diversity & Economy

Papua New Guinea has a diverse population with over 800 languages spoken, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. 

The country has a rich cultural heritage, with traditional customs and practices still being preserved and celebrated by many indigenous groups.

The economy of Papua New Guinea is based primarily on agriculture, mining, and forestry. 

It is a resource-rich country with significant reserves of gold, copper, and natural gas. However, it also faces challenges such as poverty, limited infrastructure, and environmental issues related to logging and mining.

Kokoda Trail/PNG Insight Image

Governance

In terms of governance, Papua New Guinea is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. 

It gained independence from Australia in 1975 and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Conclusion

Papua New Guinea is located on the continent of Oceania. It shares the island of New Guinea with Indonesia and is known for its diverse geography, rich cultural heritage, and unique biodiversity.

How to track Australian passport application

You can now track the delivery of your Australian passport through the Registered Post Tracking Number. This number is in the email and SMS messagesa that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sends to you to let you know your passport is on its way. 

You can use the number to check the passport’s delivery status on Australia Post’s website and app.

Here are 3 ways to track your Australian passport application

1) Track without logging in

You can track your parcel without an account or logging in. All you need is the Registered Post Tracking Number.

2) MyPost account

If you already have an Australian Port account, you can keep track of your Australian passport application including all your parcels in one place.

You can also create a new account if that is necessary for the long run.

3) Download the AusPost app

Download the AusPost app and use it to check on your parcels no matter where you are.

Track passport application

It normally takes 3 weeks to receive a passport. The Australian Passport Office will email you when they despatch your passport. Allow 5-6 business days for delivery.

If you’ve received a tracking number, use it to track your passport delivery.

How to Renew Australian Passport Online

There are two ways of renewing (and applying) your Australian Passport, either online or by what is called the streamlined process which is done via Australian post. This article gives information about what to do to renew your Australian passport online.

Police Identified Route Used by Drug Cartels in Papua New Guinea

Pic and report: Post Courier newspaper PNG

Police Minister Jelta Wong said yesterday: “We are working with our international counterparts to curb these transit routes.”

RELATED READ: PNG PM Demands Thorough Investigation into Cocaine Plane Crash in PNG  

Police have identified possible routes used by international drug cartels in Papua New Guinea to smuggle drugs into Australia.

His comments come after a PNG woman, Dulcie Wagambio Witchard, 34, was arrested and charged in Australia with dealing in the proceeds of crime amounting to A$10,000 (about K24,000) in Brisbane, Australia.

According to Australian Federal Police, the conspiracy to import more than 300 kilograms of cocaine showed that it would be brought into Australia from Peru via Singapore and PNG.

Two Australian men were also arrested in Sydney last Friday and were expected to be extradited from Sydney to Brisbane to face drug trafficking charges.

Dulcie Wagambio Witchard faced court last week and was released on bail and her passport confiscated.

She is the second Papua New Guinea woman to be held in Australia over drug-related charges after Mary Yawari who was sentenced to nine and half years in jail for smuggling four kilograms of methylamphetamine, or ice, into Australia.

Witchard was charged after police executed search warrants at Airlie Beach in north Queensland and Woodridge, south of Brisbane.

AFP Queensland commander Sharon Cowden said the alleged conspiracy was foiled after a year-long investigation with international law enforcement.

Commander Cowden said the drugs had an estimated street value of $105 million (K254m), according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The men were arrested during raids in the Sydney suburbs of Maroubra and Rozelle.

Commander Cowden said the drugs were to be imported by small craft to Australia via the Torres Strait, the ABC reported.

She said the men could both face life sentences if found guilty.

The AFP said its investigation began in June last year after they identified an Australian and PNG-based syndicate suspected of planning to import drugs from Peru.

Commander Cowden said the syndicate tried to smuggle cocaine into Australia late last year but were unsuccessful.

She said while the syndicate moved to set up a second importation, more than 1.2 tons of cocaine was seized by law enforcement officers in Peru, ABC reported.

Commander Cowden said Peruvian authorities also arrested a businessman thought to have conspired with the Australians.

She said police also intended to pursue legal proceedings against a PNG man, who was allegedly part of the conspiracy to import the cocaine into Australia.

Investigations were continuing and authorities were expecting to make more arrests.

LINK TO THE STORY HERE

Post Courier Newspaper report (June 2018)

Donate to Firefighters Australia

Friends of Australians who would like to support the communities affected by the burning bushfire can donate through the links provided below. Concerned donors can donate to the Australian rural firefighters (donate RFS), bushfire victims or animal care organisations.

Australia High Commission PNG | How to Donate

The Australian High Commission in PNG had acknowledged the prayers and concerns on Facebook... 

A big thank you to everyone who has sent us their thoughts and expressed concern about the fires in Australia. We have had a number of people asking how they can help with the fire response and recovery. Information on how you can help is provided below. Thank you all again; our thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires. Advice on travel to Australia is also provided.

Info from the Australian High Commission

Here are the possible ways to donate to RFS, the Red Cross and other organisations that are at the front line. There are 3 main groups fighting the burning bushfires and those affected:

• Donate to the firefighters who are in the frontline of the burning fires,
• Donate to the charities that are helping the bushfire victims, or
• Donate to the animal welfare organisations taking care of the animals affected by the burning bushfires.

How to Help:

Some of the main organisations supporting communities impacted by the fires include:

• Australian Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-new-years-eve

• The Salvation Army

https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/donate/make-a-donation/donate-online/?appeal=disasterappeal

• NSW Rural Fire Service

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/fundraisingc

• Country Fire Association of Victoria 

https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/home

• South Australian Country Fire Service

https://cfsfoundation.org.au/donate

• WIRES (injured animals)

https://www.wires.org.au/donate/now

Travel Advice:

The Australian High Commission encourages travellers to Australia to monitor their government’s overseas travel advisories regarding travel to Australia.

The travellers can also monitor the ABC News website (www.abc.net.au), which has links to relevant state fire and emergency authorities. Travellers should follow the instructions of these authorities before travelling to areas or residences near the burning bush fires.