New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum
Introduction
Nestled in the historic township of Rabaul in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, the New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum is a unique destination that vividly captures the region’s past. Located on Mango Avenue, this former social club now serves as a living testament to the complex colonial and wartime history that shaped Rabaul. Potential visitors will discover a place where cultural heritage, military legacy, and natural transformation converge in an unforgettable experience.
About the Museum
Housed in the former New Guinea Club—a building originally erected in 1919 for European businessmen and officials—the museum offers a captivating journey through Rabaul’s layered history. This structure once served as the Japanese Navy’s headquarters during World War II and even includes the remains of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s bunker on the museum grounds. Today, guests are welcomed into exhibits that trace Rabaul’s story from its colonial origins through both world wars and beyond, complete with wartime artifacts, military relics, and interpretive displays.
Visiting this museum is a tactile and immersive experience. The tropical climate has allowed remnants of military equipment—such as torpedoes, tanks, and guns—to weather naturally on the museum grounds, while inside, visitors can admire displays such as a detailed model of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Heavy Cruiser Haguro. Entry may involve asking for the key at the nearby Rabaul Hotel and leaving a small donation to support the museum’s upkeep.
Interesting Facts
- Originally built in 1919 as a German-era social club, the building has served many roles, including a Japanese naval headquarters during World War II.
- Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s bunker is located right on the museum property and can be accessed by visitors—with the key usually held along with the museum’s key.
- Visitors can explore outdoor displays of military relics exposed to the tropical environment, providing a striking contrast to the indoor exhibits.
- Inside, among other exhibits, there is a craftsmanship model of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s heavy cruiser Haguro.
- Entrance typically requires asking at the nearby hotel (sometimes referred to as Hamamas Hotel or Rabaul Hotel) and leaving a donation, so planning ahead is recommended.
Photo Gallery
Physical Location
Contact Details
Phone: +675 982 1999
Website: tracesofwar.com/sights/125138/New-Guinea-Club-And-Rabaul-Museum.htm
Facebook: facebook.com/rabaulhistoricalsociety/
Conclusion
The New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to walk directly through the history of Rabaul. From its origins as a colonial social hub to its wartime role and contemporary incarnation as a museum, the site embodies resilience, storytelling, and education. It is both evocative and enlightening, inviting travellers to engage with the tangible remnants of a past that continues to shape the present. Whether exploring indoor exhibits or wandering amid silent relics under the tropical sky, a visit here promises to leave a lasting impression on anyone interested in Papua New Guinea’s rich story.
