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Back to Bulolo

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Voykit pocket guide · Papua New Guinea

Bulolo

Spend a half day in Bulolo to see the historic gold dredges and play a round on PNG's oldest golf course; stay overnight only if you need a rest before heading to Lae.

Bulolo is a small town in Morobe Province, known for its abandoned gold dredges and the country's oldest nine‑hole golf course. It is reachable by road from Lae and by three weekly PNG Air flights from Port Moresby. Most visitors view the sights in a few hours and either return to Lae or stay the night at Pine Lodge.

Port MoresbyAlotauDaruGorokaKainantuKaviengKeremaKimbeKiungaLaeMadangMendiNamatanaiRabaulBulolo200 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Papua New Guinea
Best months
check
Avoid
check
Stay
0.5 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
PGK
Money
Currency is the kina (PGK, K). Cards work at larger hotels and some shops in towns; everywhere else is cash.
Daily spend
Budget PGK 5,000–7,000 excl. bed · Mid PGK 8,000–11,000 excl. bed · High PGK 12,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Digicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns. Buy a SIM in Port Moresby with your passport.
Emergency
Police 112 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 110
Plugs
Types I · 240 V · 50 Hz · Same angled flat pins as Australia; bring a power bank, since lodges run generators for set hours.
Tipping
Restaurants and hotels: Not expected.; Guides and drivers: K50–100 a day as thanks if service was good (2026 estimate).; Kokoda porters: Operators set a tip pool; also give gear you no longer need, as many trekkers do.; Villages: Pay agreed custom fees rather than tipping individuals.
Water
Not safe from the tap. Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water; lodges supply rainwater that should be treated.
Toilets
Western toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks. Carry paper and hand gel.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Coffee at Country Club RestaurantPGK 2–4
Meal at Bulolo BakeryPGK 5–8
Round of golf (9 holes)PGK 15–20

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

LAE · Lae Airport
PNG Air flights from Port Moresby to Bulolo (3 per week) connect via Lae

Typical fares

Port Moresby → Bulolo (PNG Air)
≈ PGK 350 one‑way, check schedule
PMV Lae ↔ Bulolo
≈ PGK 35 one‑way
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Roads link Bulolo to Lae; public motor vehicles (PMVs) run the route. No local taxis; walk to nearby sights.

See and do

Known for

  • Gold dredges
  • Pine forestry
  • Oldest golf course in PNG

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Aseki and Watama villagesRoad, about 100 km (62 mi) southwest; PMV or chartered 4WD≈ 3 h each way

Sleep

Pine Lodge
17 rooms, colonial‑style, near the Baptist Church; basic facilities

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloGutpela deigoo-tpeh deh
Thank youTenkyuten-kyu
How much?Hau hamas?how ha-mas
Where is the bathroom?Wea i stap?wea i stap

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Shake hands lightly; greet everyone in a group; avoid: Crushing handshakes or ignoring elders
  • Village visit: Arrive with your guide, meet the leaders first, bring a small gift if advised; avoid: Walking into gardens or houses uninvited
  • Money and gifts: Pay agreed fees to the right person; avoid: Handing out money or sweets to children
  • Anger: Stay calm and let your guide negotiate; avoid: Shouting; public shame can escalate quickly
  • Sunday: Expect church and quiet; join a service if invited; avoid: Noisy activities near villages
  • Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; a laplap (sarong) works; avoid: Swimwear or short shorts in villages

Scams and watch-outs

  • Security advice for PNG can change; check current travel advisories before visiting
  • Road conditions may be poor after heavy rain; allow extra travel time

General PNG safety advice applies: travel with a reputable operator, keep valuables secure, and avoid night travel on unpaved roads.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Bulolo yet. Suggested stay: 0.5 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Gold dredges
  • Pine forestry
  • Oldest golf course in PNG

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Bulolo

Plis go long dispela adres

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Port Moresby; other embassies in Port Moresby.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/bulolo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.