Escape from Rabaul

“.. when instructed to withdraw, we literally stepped from the beach area in the Harbor back into the bush, and the first few days and nights experiences made it clear that no organized resistance remained and it was a case of escape capture if you could.”

Sgt H Smith HQ 2/22^nd Lark Force

Trip Summary

Our escape from Rabaul journey combines elements of history, culture and adventure. This 10 day journey takes in historic war sites around Rabaul, exploring Japanese war tunnels and snorkeling over a spectacular submarine base. A four day trek into the heart of the Baining Mountains will let you experience a truly untouched wilderness. You'll spend your nights in local isolated villages being led by the TNJ team and local experienced guides and witness the amazing and spectacular Fire Dancers. This journey culminates in a trip to the Duke of York Islands off the coast of Rabaul where you can swim with dolphins and interact with the locals experiencing the Duk Duk dance and local culture.

Essential Facts

Escape from Rabaul Itinerary

Friday

- Collect by TNJ at Rabaul Airport - morning flight
- Visit Japanese Barge Tunnels.
- Brunch at Rabaul Hotel. / General Discussion
- Visitation of war sites around Rabaul

Visit war sites:
- Japanese Sub Base (Snorkel / Swim)
- New Guinea Club
- Japanese General Headquaters
- Japanese Memorial
- Japanese Tunnels
- Japanese Anti-Aircraft Gun
- Japanese Plane Wreck
- Montivideo Memorial
- Volcano Hot Springs
- Experience ‘Live’ Volcano Rabaul Hotel Dinner
- Rabaul Hotel O/Night

Saturday

- Leave Rabaul Hotel - morning
- Start Trek
- Overnight Baining village

Sunday

- Trek continued
- Overnight jungle camp

Monday

- Trek continued
- Overnight jungle camp

Tuesday

- Trek continued
- Overnight Baining village
- Visit men and women customary houses
- Baining woman traditional singing
- Traditional Baining Fire Dance

Wednesday

- Collection at end of Trek
- Boat transport to Rabaul.
- Coastal Church & School Visit
- Waterfront Lunch
- Rabaul Hotel Dinner
- Rabaul Hotel O/Night

Thursday

- Depart Rabaul Hotel - morning
- Boat transport to Duke of York Islands
- Snorkeling
- Fishing
- Dive / snorkel over Japanese Tanks
- Japanese Caves
- Church Mission
- Mission Schools
- Village singing
- Island Hoping
- Traditional 'Duk Duk Dance'

Friday

- Depart Duke of York Island
- Waterfront Lunch
- Free time.
- Volcano Observatory - Cocktails
- Equipment cleaned.
- Rabaul Hotel Dinner
- Rabaul Hotel O/Night

Saturday

- Depart Rabaul Hotel
- Bitipaka War Memorial
- Transfer to Rabaul Airport

Departure Dates 2010

By appointment. Please contact us.

Preparation for Escape from Rabaul

A specific training programme is conducted 6 weeks prior to your True North Journey. Each of you undertake a compulsory pre fitness test followed by a programme of specific fitness targets including flexibility, agility and aerobic endurance. All of us are made in various shapes and sizes hence the programmes are customised for each individual.
Just remember, we are not training you for a race. It’s a timeless journey through culture and history. We want you to take small steps so you can really enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and hear the stories.

Have you previously gone for a bushwalk and your shoes felt like lead weights as you were slipping and sliding trying to negotiate a rocky creek. We call this ‘Hindsight.com’.

From our experience, being smart with lightweight gear is the key during your training programme and traveling in remote locations. Our pathfinders will impart their knowledge with you on how to use trekking poles, on all types of ground. What sort of shoes to wear that won’t hold water. The use of adventure vests rather than packs, especially for women. All of these topics and more will simply make your journey easier and more enjoyable for you.

Who will guide us?

Our Australian pathfinders are experienced remote expedition leaders who have traveled throughout PNG and in particular East New Britain. They are widely known throughout the Baining Mountains by village elders and the general community. Formal qualifications include advance first aid and emergency evacuation procedures.

Why Choose TNJ?

We are not an extreme danger test of endurance. Rather, we take you on a journey about YOU discovering yourself. A discovery of your adventure zone, fun, history and a chance to see culture and nature under a professional guidance.

Experience your gifts as treasures and realign with your ‘True North’.

Our pathfinders are the foundation of our journeys. They are highly skilled professionals who have been selected based on their technical and medical proficiency, proven safety records, careful judgment, patience and of course great personalities. Two Brisbane based pathfinders will accompany you on your journey.

We specialize in small groups, usually between 6-10 clients. It allows for group members to take time to learn about each other and feel comfortable communicating around new friends. We all have our own stories to share which are as important as each other. Our pathfinders are discrete and great listeners and we prefer to ask what is spoken around the campfire to be kept at the campfire.

The selection of journeys we follow are one of a kind and unique to those who experience them. Simply because no-one else goes where we go. This allows you to really feel a natural experience like a first time explorer.