Things to Do in Port Moresby in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Port Moresby
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
90°F (32°C)
High Temp
74°F (23°C)
Low Temp
3.9 inches (99 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ High UV Index (8) requires serious sun protection.
⚠ Sudden, heavy afternoon rain showers can cause flash flooding in low-lying and suburban areas.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December is the dry season's curtain call. You score blinding sun, zero muddy downpours. The hills above Port Moresby, Varirata included, stay a dry, vivid green. Flights over the Owen Stanley Range usually run with crystal visibility. Worth it.
- + Expats and some locals bolt for the holidays. The city exhales. You can hit the National Museum and Parliament Haus minus the tour-group shuffle. Savor the space.
- + Mango month. They're stacked on roadside tarps, dripping from hotel trees, blitzed into café drinks. Overripe fruit and evening woodsmoke mingle in the air. Sweet, sticky, everywhere.
- + Christmas here is low-key, fascinating. The main draw is the carol singing at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Hundreds of voices, bilum-clad choirs, kids' groups, hymns in a dozen languages under the stars. Moving, utterly local.
Considerations
- − The heat is a flat 90°F (32°C) from mid-morning past dusk. Humidity feels like warm mist on your shirt. Skip outdoor exertion after 10 AM. Brutal.
- − Ten rainy days still lurk. A blazing morning can flip into a 20-minute monsoon by lunch. Gordon's Market roads flood. Footpaths turn to mud. Planning is only a suggestion.
- − Guides vanish to villages mid-month. Booking a driver or a Rouna Falls trip becomes last-minute phone roulette. Cross your fingers.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Port Moresby is defined by a rhythm of afternoon downpours. The air is thick and warm, carrying the scent of damp earth and tropical blossoms stirred by the frequent, brief rains. While the city experiences higher rainfall than the bone-dry months from June to October, these showers often arrive with dramatic force, clearing the heavy humidity and leaving behind a refreshed, gleaming cityscape. The light takes on a particular clarity in the late afternoons, casting long shadows across the hills and illuminating the coral waters of the harbor. This month carries a distinct, quieter cadence as the year winds down. The pace in the capital slows noticeably in the lead-up to the Christmas holiday, with many residents traveling to their home provinces. This shift can mean some venues adjust their hours. But it also has a less hurried perspective on the city. The question of safety in Port Moresby is best addressed by acknowledging the necessity of guided experiences and pre-arranged transport. Independent exploration on foot is not advised, making the structure of organized tours valuable. Visitors in December will find the natural world in a state of lush resurgence. The hills surrounding Port Moresby, often parched and brown in the middle of the year, are cloaked in new green growth. The increased rain feeds the waterfalls in nearby parks and fills the streams along historic trails. This is a time for embracing the tropical climate, for feeling the cool relief of a breeze after a rain shower, and for understanding Port Moresby as a way into the profound cultural and historical landscapes of Papua New Guinea.
ADVENTURE KOKODA 10-Day Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek Australian Led
adventureTrekking the Kokoda Track is a physical and historical immersion, following the path of a pivotal World War II campaign through the rugged Owen Stanley Range. You will walk beneath a dense canopy where sunlight filters through to the muddy track, hear the constant chorus of birds and insects, and cross clear, cold mountain streams. December's rains mean the trail is slick underfoot and the air in the valleys feels close, adding a layer of rawness to the challenge.
This journey transforms history from words on a page into the palpable weight of silence at battle sites, the feel of a soldier's boot print preserved in clay, and the profound hospitality of village communities along the route.
Insider tip: The afternoon rains in December can be torrential; a high-quality, quick-drying pack liner is as important as your rain jacket to keep your sleeping gear dry.
This month: The track is significantly muddier and more challenging in December than during the drier winter months, with river crossings potentially higher and faster.
Private Port Moresby City Tour
guided_experienceA private city tour of Port Moresby provides essential context and safe passage to its key sites, from the modern architecture of Parliament Haus to the evocative displays at the National Museum and Art Gallery. You will see the busy, sweeping murals inside the parliament, hear the detailed explanations of bilum weaving and spirit masks from a guide, and feel the contrast between the busy port area and the quiet, manicured grounds of historical landmarks.
It is the most secure and informed way to grasp the complex narrative of the nation, from ancient traditions to contemporary politics, all within the confines of the capital.
Insider tip: Request that your guide includes a stop at a local market in the morning, when the piles of bright betel nut, fresh tropical fruit, and smoked fish present a more vivid sensory experience than in the afternoon heat.
11 Day Kokoda Trek From Port Moresby
adventureThis extended trek from Port Moresby along the Kokoda Track allows for a more measured pace and deeper engagement with the environment and village life. You will taste simple, hearty meals cooked over open fires, smell the wood smoke in camp, and feel the profound fatigue and accomplishment at the end of each day's climb. The sound of rain on the jungle canopy at night is a constant companion in December.
The extra day provides greater opportunity for reflection at significant wartime sites and for more meaningful interaction with the local guides and carriers, whose personal stories are integral to the journey.
Insider tip: Break in your trekking boots meticulously before arriving; December's persistent moisture makes blisters a far greater risk on the sodden trail.
This month: The humidity is at its peak, and leeches can be more prevalent in the damp undergrowth during December's wetter conditions.
11 Day Kokoda Trek Australian and Local Guides
adventureThis Kokoda trek emphasizes the collaborative leadership of Australian and Papuan New Guinean guides, offering a dual perspective on the historical narrative and the living culture of the region. You will hear firsthand accounts passed down through local communities, see the careful navigation of river crossings by experienced PNG guides, and feel the camaraderie built on the trail.
The partnership between Australian and local guides creates a richer, more subtle understanding of the track's legacy, honoring both the ANZAC story and the lasting impact on PNG's Highland communities.
Insider tip: Bring a substantial supply of small, high-energy snacks from Port Moresby, as resupply options are limited and personal preferences can be accommodated more easily with your own reserves.
This month: Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent and intense, often reducing visibility on the ridges and making the ascents and descents on clay steps treacherous.
Where to Stay in Port Moresby in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid December (often the weekend before Christmas)
Carols by Candlelight at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium
No polished show, just the whole city singing. Expect 'Silent Night' in Tok Pisin, English, Motu. Choirs wear simple traditional dress. Citronella candles flicker. Harmonies bounce off the stands. Free, safe, joyous.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Port Moresby Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best coffee in town isn't at a cafe; it's at the weekly craft market sometimes held at the Aviat Club. Look for the stall selling bags of organic, Highland-grown beans. The aroma alone is worth the trip.
Need a driver? Don't just flag a taxi. Ask your hotel to recommend a specific, known driver and get his direct number. Having one reliable person on call is infinitely safer and less stressful than hailing rides.
If you want a cold beer with a view, the yacht club is the place. It's a social institution, not a fancy bar. Sit on the deck, order a South Pacific lager, and watch the lights of the logging ships anchored in the harbor. The salty, diesel-tinged breeze is part of the experience.
For a real taste of local life, visit Gordon's Market early on a Saturday morning. It's chaotic, loud, and sensory overload - the smell of smoked fish, betel nut, and ripe fruit is overwhelming. Go with a guide or a local friend. Don't take valuables. But do try a stick of sago if offered.
Avoid These Mistakes
Underestimating the sun and heat. Trying to pack in a full day of outdoor sightseeing from noon onwards is a surefire way to end up dehydrated, sunburnt, and miserable. Everything takes longer here, in December.
Assuming credit cards are widely accepted. They're not. Carry more cash in small denominations (PNG Kina) than you think you'll need, and keep it in separate places.
Wandering off on foot, at dusk. Port Moresby is not a walking city for visitors. The perception of distance is warped by the heat, and neighborhoods can change character abruptly. Always use a pre-arranged car.
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