A hidden jewel in the South Pacific, Madang is a totally unexpected montage of tribal cultures, immense beauty, friendly people and pristine diving -- an absolute must to discover whether you're a keen diver, and adventurer, or just wanting to relax and let the world go by. Located at the entrance of Madang Harbour is the Madang Resort, offering world class diving, restaurants, accommodation, amenities, reef cruises, water sports and more. But don't take our word for it, come on over and see for yourself - we know you"ll want to come back!

The Madang Resort is located close to the thriving centre of the township of Madang, yet it retains its air of seclusion. Surrounded by interesting waterways and lagoons, the parks and landscaped gardens are home to exotic birds and animals indigenous to PNG. It's the best of both worlds; close to the action but far away from the hustle and bustle. The Resort offers more than 120 suites, cottages, bungalows in three categories ranging from standard, deluxe, executive plus presidential bungalows and cottages. Most suites have private balconies overlooking the beautiful harbour or gardens. All have private bathrooms, split system air-conditioning, ISD telephones, colour TV with 20 satellite channels, radio, refrigerator and mini bars in deluxe and executive suites.

The facilities include an olympic-sized salt-water swimming pool, a children's wading pool plus secluded rooms in the Raffles Wing and Villas. A Dive shop is located neat the marina.

The Forum Park provides an excellent venue for cultural events, a tennis court and heli-pad. In the main complex there are shops, an art gallery, MTS Tour/Cruise Office, a business Centre, hair salon, restaurants, bar and access to the Sana Convention Centre. In the grounds there is a "Haus Tambaran" (Spirit House) where you can see carvings, bilums and other handicraft being made by the Sepik people. There are rare native orchids within the grounds as well as aviaries, animals and birds indigenous to PNG. A waterfall provides water to barramundi pond where you can observe barramundi that are so tame you can feed them by hand.

There are three restaurants. The famous 'Haus Win' specialises in seafood and steaks; the new Janek Aben offers a-la-carte dining in air-conditioned comfort; the Rukaen Japanese Restaurant, which is also airconditioned and provides Tapenyyaki, Sushi, Tempura-style food for a select few with advance notice.

There are three bars including the new Milek Aben Club Bar. You have a choice to east in the traditional style Haus Win Restaurant set along the waterfront with magnificent carved post and bearers. The Haus Win features inexpensive bistro and buffet meals and occasionally a-la-carte and seafood bonanza buffets. The Janek Aben Restaurant provides fine a-la-carte dining in air-conditioned comfort. The "Rakuen Japanese Restaurant" is also air conditioned and provides Tepanyakki, Sushi, Tempura style food for a select few with advance notice.

Special functions can be arranged in any of the restaurants or beside the pool, in the garden aboard one of the vessels or at Forum Park.

ACCOMMODATION

Standard Rooms (20)

These rooms are fully air-conditioned, all have private bathrooms, fridge, coffee- and tea-making facilities and most have private balconies. Although smaller, they provide excellent value for money and popularly utilised by divers and those travelling on a budget.

• split air conditioning
• radio
• private balconies
• tea and coffee making facilities
• bathroom
• colour TV

Deluxe Rooms (50)

There are 50 Deluxe Rooms currently available, with a further 15 under construction for completion in mid 2004. Most deluxe rooms have good views of the water, gardens and or pool. They are larger, most have lounges, mini-bars, private balconies and are located over the 15 acres of landscaped gardens.

• Split air conditioning
• Bathroom
• Colour TV
• Mini-bars
• Radio
• Private balcony with views
• Tea and coffee making facilities

Executive Rooms (70)

Superbly appointed rooms, some with split level lounge, others set overlapping the water. Executive rooms are located in prime positions in the resort, the suites are larger and are serviced by specially trained housemaids to ensure towels are change, beds are turned down and guests who use these rooms are treated as VIP's.

• Split airconditioning
• Full bathrooms
• Colour TV
• Radio
• Private balconies
• Mini-bars
• Tea- and coffee-making facilities
• Lounges
• Complimentary fresh fruit daily

Presidential Suites (14)

These combine two Executive Rooms in either the Waterfront Bungalows or Pacific Forum Suites with adjoining doors. In 2004 several multi-room suites in the Kalibobo Section of the Resort will provide the ultimate accommodation in Papua Bew Guinea, all with personalised staff combining:

• A Lounge room with sofa bed plus a separate bed room
• Two bathrooms
• Mini bar
• Two private balconies
• 2 Colour TV's
• Radio
• Tea- and coffee-making facilities
• Assigned house staff

Papua New Guinea has a well-deserved reputation for its spectacular diving. The country is surrounded by the Bismarck, Coral and Solomon Seas, whose constant movements feed the rich marine environment. From tiny nudibranchs to the world's biggest fish -- the harmless whale shark -- divers will encounter a huge array of exotic species.

The range of dive sites is equally diverse, with barrier reefs, spectacular coral walls (drop-offs), coral gardens, patch and fringing reefs, sea grass beds and coral atolls. Divers will also find some of the world's best wreck diving, with sunken ships, aircraft and submarines dating back to World War II. Many are still in excellent condition and easily accessible from the coast.

Marinelife
Divers to PNG will be able to feast their eyes on thousands of fish that inhabit the crystal clear waters, including barracuda, jack, tuna, stingrays, turtles and white and black tip sharks. There are also many anemones, corals, sea fans, clams and clownfish, along with pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins (particularly in the Walindi area). Whales can also visit the waters of Manus Island, between January and March.

Port Moresby
There is excellent diving close to Port Moresby on the reef behind Fisherman's Island, at the east side of Basilisk Passage (the entrance to the harbour), and at the Finger, a long coral ridge with a drop-off on one side and white-sand beach on the other. A sunken trawler, the New Marine No 7 and the small MV Kupiki offer wreck dives. Off Bootless Bay is Horseshoe Reef with a number of different dives including the End Bommie and the wreck of the Pacific Gas. Day trips are offered by The Dive Centre at Ela Beach Hotel. Live-aboard boats operate out of Moresby and travel to the Eastern Fields, Milne Bay and other locations along the coast.

Milne Bay
The pristine waters of this area sustain brain corals, Spanish dancers, trigger fish, sturgeon and sharks. Tufi at Cape Nelson has exceptionally clear waters, abundant fish and beautiful corals in the fiord-like rias formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. There are easily accessible wrecks and reefs with drop-offs, hammerhead sharks and moray eels.

Madang
Madang has some fantastic dive sites nearby including Magic Passage and Planet Rock, an underwater sea mount with a population of hammerhead sharks, multitudes of small fish and beautiful corals. Magic Passage contains a Mitchell bomber among the sea whips, sponges and sea fans, while further north, Hansa Bay cradles 34 Japanese wrecks that are home to a myriad of tropical fish.

Morobe
From Lae, there are live-aboard boats offering expeditions for reef or wreck diving, taking in the beautiful reef systems in the Siassi Islands, the coastal town of Finschhafen and Tami Island, famous for its idyllic lagoon. The wrecks of the B-17 bomber Black Jack and the Dutch cargo ship St Jacob are also interesting dives.

New Britain
Divers can explore Kimbe Bay, famous for its huge corals, big fish, drop-offs and volcanic caves, while in Simpson Harbour, off Rabaul, there are some good walls and wrecks and a spectacular 75m drop-off at Tavui Point.

New Ireland
Kavieng is another popular dive centre -- big fish, coral and sharks are just some of the sights to be found here. Manus Island: Most of the north coast is bordered with a reef and the excellent visibility allows great diving and snorkelling. A huge variety of corals and fish, and wartime wrecks can be seen, and there may be whales between January and March.