hi, the most of overlad trips go through Dili and Darvin. are there any options from Papua to OZ with bike? yes here are two of them 10 years old in shiping bulletin. does anybody have latest news?

Alex

Biggest problem will getting into/from New Guinea from Indonesia and then travelling there by road/track. Most freight goes into Papua New Guinea via Australia, the West Papua region of New Guinea is part of a cessionist struggle with Indonesia at present so foreigners may not be allowed or welcome if the East Timor experience is anything to go by. Smaller boats do the coastal runs - but who or where is anyone's guess.

You are probably better off going without a bike and just getting boats and buses/hitch hike.

is it a political problem or just a roads condition troubles? I`ll check it before leaving Malasia. let us assume that I reached for Daru in PNG. could I expect to ship my bike to Thursday island (TI)?? or any other shiping options from Alotau, Daru, Lae, Popondetta or Port Moresby to OZ. thanks!

Alex

I've only spent time in the western highlands of P&NG (little village called Kompiam out from Mt Hagen) and even then still a long way from the border and I'd say even though the roads in PNG are better than those in the west, you might still have trouble getting to a border with connecting roads further west. Walking or flying remain the only possible way to get to many areas.

Not sure what armour could be added to a bike, but this was pretty standard for all vehicles including clearly identified ambulances




Then getting to Pt Moresby by road from the highlands may not be (isn't??) possible even by motorbike so you would have to ship out of the NE coast and that would probably cost more than Dili to darwin.

The politics in West Irianjia (sp) are volatile to say the least and nothing seems to be improving, and in PNG, the payback system and outbreaks of outright warfare using high-powered weapons as well as the gangs of raskals who have taken to including Europeans in their list of legitimate soft targets means that you won't ever get any guarantee of safety. First night I spent in Mt Hagen, the motel was raided by a gang using automatic weapons and the ubiquitous bush-knives and two rooms completely trashed. Not the one we were in but we did stay in that room later and the bullet holes are still there - and in the right light you can see all the little square patches on the curtains. Flyscreens have little inwards-cratered holes that let the mozzies in so make sure your antimalarials are current.

On a bike by myself??? Hmmmmm! Do your research thoroughly first - and then bail out through Dili.

__________________
Tony
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I don't have any recent information on security issues in PNG, but I do suggest you get a map and study the road system. It's limited, to say the least. Most places are not connected by road (or track) at all. I'm not going into specifics because I was last there almost 20 years ago, but I hear that things haven't changed all that much in the intervening years.

Wonderful place to visit, and everyone should go there. With a motorbike, not so much. Generally quite expensive due to the lack of transportation infrastructure.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

the same I`ve found in LP:
"In PNG it’s pointless bringing your own
vehicle as even a dirt bike would need to be
shipped between many locations due to the
lack of roads. The same applies to buying a
vehicle; it’s not worth the hassle.
You could, however, hire a car or 4WD in
Lae or Madang for the trip up the Highlands
Hwy, or perhaps to drive around New
Ireland. All the major cities have an array of
car-hire companies."
Thank you for your replies!

Alex