Papua New Guinea holds some of the most significant war cemetery sites in the Pacific. These places honour the men who served and fell during World War II and earlier conflicts in the region.
Together, Bomana, Bitapaka, and Kokopo form a network of solemn WWII memorials that preserve the stories of those who never returned home. Each cemetery stands as a reminder of the scale of the fighting, the hardship of the campaigns, and the lasting connection between Papua New Guinea and the Commonwealth nations that served here. A strong historical image of the early Pacific campaigns often frames these sites and shows the harsh conditions faced by the soldiers who fought across this landscape.
Bomana War Cemetery sits outside Port Moresby. It is the largest war cemetery in Papua New Guinea and holds the greatest number of Australian burials of any Commonwealth site worldwide. It marks the resting place of those lost on the Kokoda Track, on Bougainville, and across the former Territory of Papua. Bitapaka War Cemetery lies near Kokopo on the Gazelle Peninsula. It is known for its role in both World War I and World War II. The site also stands near the location of the first Australian casualties of the First World War. The Kokopo Memorial adds another layer of remembrance and forms part of the wider collection of WWII memorials in East New Britain.
These three sites hold a shared purpose. They honour service, loss, and the long history of conflict in the Pacific. They also help visitors understand the scale of sacrifice and the deep connections between these communities and the Commonwealth forces who served here.
Bomana War Cemetery sits on the outskirts of Port Moresby. It is the largest war cemetery in Papua New Guinea and one of the most significant Commonwealth burial grounds in the Pacific. More than 3,800 servicemen rest here. The site also holds the highest number of Australian graves of any war cemetery worldwide. Its scale alone shows the impact of the fighting across Papua during World War II and the importance of these grounds as part of the wider network of WWII memorials in the region.
Many who lie here died in the major campaigns of the former Territory of Papua. The Kokoda Track campaign is one of the most recognised. Soldiers faced steep terrain, heavy rain, disease, and constant fighting. Others died in actions across Milne Bay and Bougainville. These campaigns shaped the course of the Pacific war and left a lasting connection between Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the wider Commonwealth.
Bomana is known for its peaceful and ordered layout. Rows of white headstones stand across open lawns. At the centre sits the Stone of Remembrance. Nearby stands the Cross of Sacrifice, a symbol found in many Commonwealth War Graves Commission sites. Together, they form a focal point for reflection and remembrance.
The Memorial to the Missing is another key feature. It lists the names of 740 personnel who have no known grave. This memorial ensures that every individual is recorded and remembered, even when a burial site was never found.
Bomana War Cemetery continues to serve as a place of respect and quiet reflection. It invites visitors to understand the sacrifices made during the Pacific war and to recognise the shared history preserved within these WWII memorials.
Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery sits near Kokopo on the Gazelle Peninsula of New Britain. Many visitors refer to it as the Rabaul war cemetery because of its closeness to the former military centre of Rabaul. The site is peaceful today, but its surroundings hold a long history of conflict. The region saw major fighting, occupation, and loss during the two World Wars. These events shaped the cemetery and the stories preserved within its grounds. Like Bomana, it forms an important part of Papua New Guinea’s network of WWII memorials.
Bita Paka is unique because it commemorates casualties from both World War I and World War II. Few war cemetery sites in the Pacific cover both conflicts. The cemetery sits near the German wireless station seized by Australian forces in 1914. This early action marked Australia’s first military engagement in the First World War. Several soldiers killed in that operation rest here. Their graves remind visitors that the region’s wartime history began well before the wider Pacific fighting of the 1940s.
The Second World War left an even deeper impact. Rabaul became a major Japanese base after 1942. The fighting, air raids, and harsh conditions led to many deaths. More than 1,100 graves are found at Bita Paka. Many belong to Indian soldiers who died as Prisoners of War. Their presence shows the wide reach of the conflict and the many nations involved. The variety of graves highlights the global nature of the Commonwealth forces and the enduring significance of this war cemetery.
A key feature is the Rabaul Memorial to the Missing. It commemorates more than 1,200 soldiers and airmen with no known grave. Many were lost at sea or during air operations. Their names remain recorded and honoured. This memorial forms a major part of the cemetery’s role in the network of WWII memorials across Papua New Guinea.
Today, the grounds stand quiet. The lawns are neat. The headstones are arranged with care. Visitors walk among them with a clear sense of the history held here. The cemetery reflects both the early days of Australian military service and the intense years of the Pacific war. It remains a place of learning, remembrance, and respect.
Planning a visit to each war cemetery in Papua New Guinea is straightforward with some basic preparation. Bomana War Cemetery sits just outside Port Moresby and it is the easiest site to reach. Most visitors travel by taxi or by private vehicle from the city. Bitapaka War Cemetery sits near Kokopo in East New Britain. Travellers usually fly into the Tokua Airport before taking a short drive to the site. Conditions are the best during the dry season from May to October. Roads remain more reliable and rain is less frequent. The Kokopo Memorial, also part of the region’s WWII memorials, is accessible from nearby accommodation and offers a clear view of the surrounding area.
Each war cemetery is a place of solemn remembrance. The atmosphere is quiet. Visitors are encouraged to move slowly and speak softly. This respect honours the men buried here and the families who never saw them return home. Basic etiquette helps preserve that experience for others. Simple steps include:
These actions support the tone of the site and maintain its purpose as a place of reflection.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) plays a central role in caring for these cemeteries. The CWGC maintains the grounds, repairs headstones, and keeps detailed records of each burial. Their work ensures that every war cemetery remains accessible, safe, and consistent with Commonwealth design standards. This includes features such as the white marble headstones seen at Bomana, the Cross of Sacrifice found in many Commonwealth cemeteries, and the uniform layout that reflects dignity and order. Their work also extends to the memorials that recognise those with no known grave, which form an essential part of the wider network of WWII memorials across Papua New Guinea.
Visitors gain a clearer understanding of the region’s history when they see the care placed into these sites. The cemeteries remain open, peaceful, and informative because of this ongoing stewardship. With thoughtful planning and respectful behaviour, each visit becomes a meaningful connection to the stories preserved within these grounds.
Each war cemetery in Papua New Guinea stands as a reminder of the men who served and died far from home. Their graves reflect the cost of the Pacific campaigns and the scale of sacrifice across the region. Bomana, Bitapaka, and Kokopo each hold their own stories, yet they share a single purpose: to honour those who did not return and preserve the history that shaped Papua New Guinea’s connections with Australia, New Zealand, and the wider Commonwealth.
To learn more about travelling in Papua New Guinea or to visit Bomana, Bitapaka and Kokopo’s memorials with a local guide, see our Papua New Guinea tour page for more information.
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
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Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
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Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
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Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
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Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
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