Prospective travellers to this provincial capital on the edge of Papua New Guinea’s north-eastern coast will no doubt have heard tales of its fabled beauty, whispered by the odd veteran visitor or oft-quoted in the travel guides. Well, they aren’t wrong; Madang really is that melange of verdant coastlands and hidden beaches backed by leaning palms; Madang really does feather its way out into the South Pacific in curved coves of sand and azure water.
Today though, the centre of town also hums with bubbling goods markets, laden with farmers’ stalls touting fresh produce from the highlands towards the centre of the country, while regular tours depart for nearby Krangket Island and the various World War II sites that pepper the north coast.
Many a Madang tour guide will recommend a visit, or even better a home stay at one of the villages around to enjoy the area’s laid-back flavour and even sight the occasional flying fox, while indulging in a round of bird watching. But whether you come here to relax, to rummage around the historic sites or simply to wallow between the waterways and green coast, it will be well worth your time!