Papua New Guinea in September

Independence Day (16 Sep), the Goroka Show and Hiri Moale; the busiest and best-known month.

• Port Moresby and the south coast · Port Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Trackbest weather

  Rain shadow: the capital is dry May–November and wet and humid December–April; the Kokoda Track trekking season is April–November, busiest June–September.

• Highlands · Goroka, Mount Hagen, Tari, Mount Wilhelmbest weather

  At 1,500–2,000 m days are mild and nights cool; rain falls in every month, least in June–September when the shows are held.

• North coast and Sepik · Madang, Wewak, the Sepik Riverbest weather

  Hot and humid all year; the river runs high in the wet season and villages flood, while very low water late in the dry season can stop boats on side channels.

• Islands and Milne Bay · Rabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Alotau, Tufibest weather

  Rain patterns differ by island; many dive operators rate September–December as the calmest and clearest window. Milne Bay is the only part of PNG regularly brushed by cyclones (roughly December–April).

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Independence Day, Goroka Show and Hiri Moale big impact

  Mid-September, around 16 Sep

  The Goroka Show fills every bed in town; Port Moresby holds the Hiri Moale festival of canoes and dances; offices close for several days.

Crowds · Papua New Guinea

High

Prices · Papua New Guinea

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Port Moresby and the south coast

  Best weather of the year (Port Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Track)

• Highlands

  Best weather of the year (Goroka, Mount Hagen, Tari, Mount Wilhelm)

• North coast and Sepik

  Best weather of the year (Madang, Wewak, the Sepik River)

• Islands and Milne Bay

  Best weather of the year (Rabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Alotau, Tufi)

• Port Moresby

  Dry; Independence Day on Sep 16 and Goroka Show.