Papua New Guinea in September

Independence Day (16 Sep), the Goroka Show and Hiri Moale; the busiest and best-known month.

No other month rates higher than September for Papua New Guinea in this guide.

• Port Moresby and the south coast · Port Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Trackbest weather

  Rain shadow: the capital is dry May–November and wet and humid December–April; the Kokoda Track trekking season is April–November, busiest June–September.

• Highlands · Goroka, Mount Hagen, Tari, Mount Wilhelmbest weather

  At 1,500–2,000 m days are mild and nights cool; rain falls in every month, least in June–September when the shows are held.

• North coast and Sepik · Madang, Wewak, the Sepik Riverbest weather

  Hot and humid all year; the river runs high in the wet season and villages flood, while very low water late in the dry season can stop boats on side channels.

• Islands and Milne Bay · Rabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Alotau, Tufibest weather

  Rain patterns differ by island; many dive operators rate September–December as the calmest and clearest window. Milne Bay is the only part of PNG regularly brushed by cyclones (roughly December–April).

• Highlands: Highland plateaucool

  Temperatures 15–22 °C (59–72 °F); rain year‑round, wetter Dec–Mar.Temperatures 59–72 °F (15–22 °C); rain year‑round, wetter Dec–Mar.

• New Britain: Coastal New Britain · Rabaul and Kimbe coastsrainy

  Dry season May–September offers calm seas and best diving visibility.

• New Ireland: New Ireland coast · entire islandrainy

  Rainfall peaks Dec–Mar; trade‑wind season May–Oct offers steadier seas.

• Sepik: Sepik basin · lowland river and coastrainy

  Rainy season roughly December–March; dry season May–October. Temperatures 30–33 °C (86–91 °F) year‑round with high humidity.Rainy season roughly December–March; dry season May–October. Temperatures 86–91 °F (30–33 °C) year‑round with high humidity.

• Southern Papua New Guinea: Southern PNG coast · Port Moresby arearainy

  Dry season April–October offers cooler temps and reliable flights; wet season brings heavy rain and possible flight disruptions.

• Port Moresby30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
• Alotau30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 15 rain days
• Bulolo31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 14 rain days
• Daru32 °C (90 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 15 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 15 rain days
• Goroka26.2 °C (79 °F) / 15.6 °C (60 °F), 21 rain days79 °F (26.2 °C) / 60 °F (15.6 °C), 21 rain days
• Kainantu27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 16 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 16 rain days
• Kavieng31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 10 rain days
• Kerema30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Kimbe31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 7 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 7 rain days
• Kiunga31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 14 rain days
• Lae30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 11 rain days
• Madang31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 13 rain days
• Mendi20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Mount Hagen30 °C (86 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
• Namatanai30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain days
• Rabaul28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
• Tari Basin23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
• Tufi30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 9 rain days
• Vanimo30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Wau28 °C (82 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 6 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 6 rain days
• Wewak31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 13 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Independence Day, Goroka Show and Hiri Moale big impact

  Mid-September, around 16 Sep

  The Goroka Show fills every bed in town; Port Moresby holds the Hiri Moale festival of canoes and dances; offices close for several days.

• Hiri Moale Festival check

  Varies · Port Moresby

  Motu cultural festival; check dates with the organisers.

• Highlands shows check

  Varies · Port Moresby

  Flights out of Port Moresby fill; book early.

• Mount Hagen and Goroka shows

  Aug–Sep (varies) · Port Moresby

  Highlands festivals fill flights out of Port Moresby; book flights and hotel well ahead.

Crowds · Papua New Guinea

High

Prices · Papua New Guinea

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Papua New Guinea, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Port Moresby and the south coast

  Best weather of the year (Port Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Track)

• Highlands

  Best weather of the year (Goroka, Mount Hagen, Tari, Mount Wilhelm)

• North coast and Sepik

  Best weather of the year (Madang, Wewak, the Sepik River)

• Islands and Milne Bay

  Best weather of the year (Rabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Alotau, Tufi)

• Port Moresby

  Dry; Independence Day on Sep 16 and Goroka Show.

• Alotau

  Best months: Sep–Nov

• Daru

  Best months: May–Oct (dry season)

• Goroka

  Best months: Check conditions before booking; the Goroka Show runs around 16 September

• Kainantu

  Best months: May–Oct

• Kavieng

  Best months: Nov–Apr (surf), Sep–Dec (dives)

• Kerema

  Best months: May–Nov (dry season)

• Kiunga

  Best months: May–Oct (dry season, better bird activity)