Rabaul

Particularly interesting is historically-rich Rabaul. Situated in an ancient volcanic caldera, and surrounded by active volcanoes, the town has often seen volcanic activity, and local helicopter flights provide a fascinating view of these awesome phenomena. Also of interest around Rabaul are dozens of relics of the Japanese occupation in 1942. The site of the main Japanese landing is barely three kilometres from the town. As this was also the headquarters for the Japanese occupation force, there is an extensive network of tunnels and bunkers, while the remains of a submarine base provide an exquisitely beautiful diving site.