Oro
Province, also known as Northern Province (one of several provinces which
suffers two names) is rather a backwater. It’s not “on the way” to anywhere
so many tourists doing the PNG trip don’t include Oro on their itinerary
and the province receives very few visitors. Most tourists who do make it
to Oro Province go specifically to walk the Kokoda Track or to dive
at Tufi. Some more intrepid travellers make their way through to the
Wanigela area in search of pottery and tapa cloth. Recently village guest
houses have opened up in many locations which has made it feasible to visit
all parts of the province, such as the villages
in the Tufi fjords and even remote areas such as the Omie
territory on the southern side of Mt Lamington.
Popondetta, the provincial
capital, is known affectionately by some as “kauboi taun” (cowboy town)
as there isn’t much to see and most people are "just passin' through".
Oro
best buys: tapa cloth, Wanigela/Yiaku pottery.
Our favourite spot: Tufi Village Hometays.
