UK Rugby League Teams with Links to PNG Kumuls

The admiration for the UK Super League(UKSL) teams is growing strong in Papua New Guinea. The former players (Stanley Gene, John Okul, Adrian Lam, Neville Costigan, John Wilshere and Marcus Bai) have given PNG fans a reason to follow the clubs like Hull KR, Salford and Wigan Warriors.

2022 Rugby League World Cup final UK

Hull RK has over 20 years of links to PNG. Recently, one UK Super League Club has stolen the hearts of PNG rugby league fans - the Widnes Vikings. The club and fans' act of kindness and generosity at the death of Kato Ottio and recruiting of the Albert brothers are forever to be remembered by many in the PNG rugby league circle. 

With the 2018 UK rugby league popularity growing in PNG, here are 5 clubs - with your favourite PNG rugby league players  - to follow:


1. Widnes Vikings - Albert Brothers

2. Castleford Tigers - Garry Lo

3. Catalans Dragons - David Mead & Paul Aiton


4. Hull Kingston Rovers - strong PNG link (Stanley Gene, John Okul, Makali Aizue, Neville Costigan, Jason Chan and (Francis Paniu and Enock Maki).



5. Sheffield (Championship) Menzie Yere and Mark Mexico




Follow our boys on Twitter or Facebook and enjoy your Rugby League.


Varirata National Park: Port Moresby's Best Kept Secret - Must See

The park is less than an hour’s drive from Port Moresby, Varirata National Park covers 1,063 hectares inhabited by all the main iconic species of Papua New Guinea.

I visited several fun places both within and outside Port Moresby but my recent visit stood out - Varirata National Park. To be honest I did not think the visit was going to be fun. It, however, turned out to be an enjoyable trip. 

Other fun places to visit in Port Moresby 

  • Port Moresby Adventure Park
  • Sunset Lodge
  • Loloata Island Resort
  • Koitaki Country Club
  • Varirata Natioanl Park
  • Kokoda Track Memorial
  • Bomana War Cemetry
  • Tutu Beach


Varirata National Park is at an elevation between 600 and 900 metres. The park is rich with a variety of ecosystems and landscapes and plants and animals.

The Park offers four tracks to explore its untamed nature, discover its unique plants and observe its extraordinary wildlife.


How to visit varirata national park
 New buildings are erected to serve as the Information Centre 

As I mentioned earlier, the park is a must-visit as is the best way to get away from Port Moresby. There are five important things that make Varirata  National Park special.

1. The road condition can be described as excellent. From the turn-off to the look-out and all around the park was sealed and in superb condition. Grasses are trimmed neat and tidy. 

2. The BBQ areas and huts are well kept and in very good condition.

3. Cheap to visit - residents pay only K2.00 per head and external visitors pay K5.00 per head. The caretakers of the park will be happy to show you around.

4. Beautiful view of the surrounding places from the look-out; looking out to Loloata, Port Moreby, Jacksons Airport and the nearby mountain ranges. 

5. Nature Walk and Fresh Air - nothing beats the fresh air from the forest. There are lots of animals and plants to see and adore.


visit varirata national park
View towards Port Moresby from Main Lookout  (accessed by car) others are walking distances away

Bush Walking 

Varirata National Park is a fantastic place for bushwalking. A great variety of vegetation from woodland to rainforest, beautiful butterflies, huge ferns, wild orchids, fresh air and lookouts with its spectacular views of Bootless Bay.

Five out of the thirty-five species of birds of paradise live in the park, and PNG’s National Emblem, the Raggiana, is without any doubt, is the guest of honour. 

Between April and October, during peak breeding season, there is an excellent chance of seeing some males in full breeding plumage dancing to attract female attention.

Top tip: If you really what to get the best out of your trip to Varirata National Park, I would recommend enlisting a local guide to take you around the walks through the forest. You can ask for guides or assistance at the main entrance.

Go prepared with cash, food, water, sunscreen and bug repellent. As for the serious walkers, this could be a recurring visit once you've done it the first time. 

You've got to visit Varirata National Park if you have been living in Port Moresby, but have not visited the park yet. 




Bird Watching 

Varirata National Conservation Park is famous among birdwatchers for its birds of paradise, accessible by road. Here are some species of birds you can see at the park:
  • Raggiana bird of paradise, 
  • cassowaries, 
  • hornbills, 
  • kingfishers, 
  • cuscus,
  • forest wallabies, 
  • echidna, 
  • bandicoots, 
  • possums,
  • green pythons...
things to do at varirata national park

Infomation about Varirata National Park 

The Varirata National Park recently opened its new Information Centre at Sogeri outside of Port Moresby. The modern information centre will enhance visitors experience of the nature park. 

The park is already popular with schools excursions, bird watching, weekend outings for city residents and nature tours. PNGTPA is a partner in the development of the Variarata National Park through setting up signboards and working with JICA to develop bird watching attractions in the nature park.

Contact PNGTPA for Varirata Visits


  • Media Coordinator/ TPA Board Secretary : Colin Taimbari
  • For further information, contact the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s on Phone: +675 320 0211 or email: info@papuanewguinea.travel

Here are earlier posts about the things to do when in Port Moresby:
There are also other places out of Port Moresby for the more adventurous spirits like the Koitaki Country Club, March Girls Resort and Sunset Lodge, including Varirata National Park

About PNG Insight

PNG Insight is an education blog. It aims to highlight the key developments in the education sector in Papua New Guinea. Started in 2014 on Google's blogger (now self-hosted on WordPress), PNG Insight strives to be a platform for critical thinking and discussions; and a source of information.

Leave a comment and let us know about your visit. 


Grade 12 Students Admissions and Selections for UPNG, UOG, UNRE, Unitech, DWU and PAU

The Grade 12 Online Selection 2018 (for tertiary institutions) in the country can be described as the best change the DHERST (Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology) has implemented. 

The result of the selection process had shown that the method was time-and-money saving, fast and efficient. 

We also provide some background information on the 6 PNG universities here. Find out about the admissions and selections  for UPNG, UOG, UNRE, Unitech, DWU and PAU:


PNG Universities acceptance list pdf 2024

The tables below contained raw data compiled from the selection document (PDF) published on the DHERST website. The raw data simply aims to show readers and stakeholders the number of spaces (and the spaces available per program of study) at the 6 universities.

Perhaps it is important to know that no significant increase in the number of spaces had been observed across the 6 main universities.

For example, previous records indicated 594 students in 2016, 495 students in 2017 and 599 students selected to UNITECH Lae three Campus; and 286 students in 2016, 297 students in 2017 and 280 students selected to Divine Word University four campus. In fact, spaces at universities remain relatively the same. 

*Note that this is the online selection done by DHERST - not by the universities. Each selected student will be issued an offer letter and formally invited to the academic year at the selected university. 

**Also note that figure 3204 does NOT include other tertiary institutions in the country. It is indicative of the 6 universities mentioned here.

To check out the latest articles on PNG university's selections, click here.

Unity Song: Papua New Guinea our Motherland (WORDS in Motu)

Papua New Guinea

Our land is the island of high mountains,
Of sunlit palms and coral sea,
Where our people sing while the drums are beating,
For our land is strong and free.

Papua...........New Guinea.........

GET THE FULL ENGLISH LYRICS CLICK HERE

Eda…........Eda
Tano….     Tano

Eda Tano

Aita goada laia

Ina hari’hari, aita.
Toreisi, aita abiaisi
Memero kekeni, iboumuiai
Ini aoma, aita me gaukara,
Dahaka okaramu
Asio mahuta,
Ini baita gwau toma..

Chorus

Eda….........Eda
Tano….......Tano

Eda Tano
Aita goada laia

Ina hari’hari, aita.
Toreisi, aita abiaisi

Png unity song - PNG Independence Song - Our Land Is The Island Of High Mountains lyrics UNITY SONG - Motu - PNG Independence day Song - Our land is the island of high mountains


POST A COMMENT.

SEARCH THE ENTIRE SITE HERE

Latest on Vote of No Confidence in Papua New Guinea 2024

Latest on Vote of No Confidence in Papua New Guinea 2024
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO FIND OUT