Visiting
Business hours
Commercial enterprises are open between 8.00am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday and many are open between 8.00am and 12noon on Saturday.
Government offices are open between 7.45am and 4.05pm, Monday to Friday.
Shops are generally open during normal business hours with Saturday being a half day. Most supermarkets are also open on Sunday. Service stations are usually open during normal business hours, seven days a week.
A common term used in the Pacific region is ‘Melanesian time’. This means that meetings may not start on time and guests may arrive late or turn up with one or more friends unannounced.
Public Holidays
Expected dates for public holidays in Papua New Guinea.
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 2 – New Year's Day holiday
April 14 – Good Friday
April 15 – Easter Saturday
April 16 – Easter Sunday
April 17 – Easter Monday
June 12 – Queen’s Birthday
July 24 – National Remembrance Day
August 28 – National Repentance Day
September 18 – Independence Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – Boxing Day
Climate
The climate throughout Papua New Guinea, except for the Highlands, is tropical. The altitude of the Highlands tempers the heat of the tropics and provides a stable warm climate throughout the year - 13ºC to 26ºC.
Port Moresby differs from most of PNG in that it is located in a ‘rain shadow’ and is consequently much less humid. There are two main seasons in Port Moresby: wet and dry. The average temperature ranges from 22ºC to 31ºC. The wet season is between December and April with February being the wettest month. The dry season runs from April to November.
For weather details in Papua New Guinea, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
The monetary units are Kina and Toea (1 Kina = 100 Toea).
Banks
Two Australian banks, ANZ and Westpac are well represented in PNG, along with BSP (formerly known as Bank of South Pacific). BSP is locally owned and is also the largest commercial bank in Papua New Guinea.
Time zones and time differences
Papua New Guinea has one time zone, which is the same as Australian Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time is not observed in PNG.
To find out the current time in Port Moresby, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
Papua New Guinea's country code is 675.
For calls to Papua New Guinea from Australia dial: 0011 + 675 + telephone number.
For calls from Papua New Guinea to Australia dial: 05 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
Papua New Guinea’s power supply is 240 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. The Australian three-prong plugs are the most common.
Links and resources
Travel and tourism
Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority
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