Thursday, 24 November 2011

Port Moresby Botanical Gardens

Port Moresby does not have a zoo. One would assume that as Papua New Guinea has an abundance of exotic fauna that it would have such a facility but unfortunately, the capital city does not. However, it does have a Botanical Garden where one can view a small selection of birds, reptiles and marsupials and of course, various flora.

It is located past the Universty of Papua New Guinea in the suburb of Gerehu. You would need transport to get there as it is a bit far out. If you are coming from the city, you will have to turn right at the roundabout heading to Baruni and make a u-turn a little after you see it on your right. If you reach Renbo, then you have passed it.

There is a parking area that is guarded. You have to pay K4.00 to enter. The entrance fee may have gone up though as it has been years since I have been there. Once inside, you will find various footpaths, picnic tables and small groves. There is an aviary with parrots and a bird of paradise. Various cages also hold different types of tree kangaroos and there are elevated areas which you go up on from where you will see cassowaries and crocodiles.

There are a lot of orchids, flowering plants, ornamental plants and odd trees inside too. The last time I was there, they also had some vanilla plants.

It is nice to visit the Botanical Gardens when you're in Port Moresby. It's relatively inexpensive and lets you see a small portion of the kind of exotic flora and fauna in Papua New Guinea. One thing odd though is that there are quite a number of Indonesian statues and busts inside as well as even a Filipino monument. There are funny scultures too done by local artists. 

Here are some photos:



If you do go, bring some insect repellant. There are lots of mosquitoes over at the botanical gardens. Ciao!

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