Having run tours for the national day of PNG for many years we knew that the 50th Birthday of Papua New Guinea would be a big deal.
Therefore we arranged not just a tour that would do national day and the Goroka festival, but also one that would quite literally take in all events related to the 50th birthday of Papua New Guinea.
And overall we have to say that not only was it a great couple of days in PNG, but also planned alarmingly well for the country.
So, how did PNG celebrate its 50th birthday?
PNG at 50
Papua New Guinea is not exactly known for its slick organisation, but hitting 50 years since independence from Australia was always going to be special. The country first raised its flag on September 16, 1975, and since then the date has been their biggest public holiday.
Usually the day involves parades, a few military shows, and locals dressing in the national colours, but this time the whole thing was turned up to eleven. A year of build up, special events across the provinces, and big money thrown in from Australia and China meant the celebrations genuinely felt like a turning point. PNG is a young nation, rough around the edges, but proud as hell.
The 50th Birthday of Papua New Guinea Program
Rather than being a one-day affair, the 50th stretched over two full weeks. Things kicked off around September 7 with cultural shows and military bands, then ramped up with official delegations flying in. The big names were led by Prince Edward representing King Charles, plus delegations from Australia, New Zealand, China and even a few from the Pacific Islands.
The army staged parades, there were flag-raising rehearsals, and Port Moresby went into party mode. Everything built towards the key events between September 13 and September 17.
The YPT 50th Birthday of Papua New Guinea Tour
While we knew the 50th birthday of Papua New Guinea would be a big deal the idiosyncrasies of the country mean that planning a tour for such an event is not actually that easy. Therefore I did what research I could and put together an itinerary that would include as much as could guess would be happening at the time. In reality though this would also mean what we call in the trade guiding a “Guerrilla Tour” as in we need to roll with the punches.
And while there were literally a ton of options and events being held we specifically concentrated on just a few, namely the PNG NRL Grand Final, the Ela Beach Show, the Flag Raising Ceremony, and finally the PNG Spectacular.
The PNG NRL Grand Final
The 2025 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final was perfectly timed for the 50th celebrations and did not disappoint. Played at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on September 14, it was Lae Tigers taking on the Hela Wigmen.
In front of a full house, Lae simply outclassed their opponents, storming to a 36–16 victory that sent their fans into delirium. The atmosphere was raw and loud, with conch shells, kundu drums, and a level of passion that you just do not get in Australia. Rugby league is religion in PNG and the grand final being part of the 50th made it even more special.
The Ela Beach Show
Running for several days, Ela Beach turned into a carnival ground. While billed as a music festival, it was really a mix of everything: reggae bands, gospel choirs, and traditional singsings sharing the stage.
On the beach itself, market stalls sold bilums, carvings, and shirts in the national colours, while the food was classic PNG street fare: smoky lamb flaps, greasy sausages, and fresh coconuts hacked open in front of you. It was chaotic, colourful and exactly the kind of thing that makes PNG such a fun country to visit.
The Flag Raising Ceremony
September 16 is independence day itself, and the flag raising at Independence Hill is the symbolic heart of the whole celebration. Through our contacts we managed to bag VIP front row access, which meant rubbing shoulders with politicians, military officers and visiting dignitaries.
Prince Edward himself was front and centre, alongside Prime Minister James Marape and a long list of Pacific leaders. The ceremony itself was surprisingly slick, with military precision, choirs singing the anthem, and the original 1975 flag bearers invited back to hoist it once more. For a country often mocked for disorganisation, it was genuinely impressive.
The PNG Spectacular
The main event was on September 16 at Sir John Guise Stadium and it more than lived up to its name. The tickets cost 50 dollars which is steep by local standards, but absolutely worth it. It did take two hours to properly get going, which is very PNG, but once it did it was a hell of a show.
Australian parachutists dropped into the stadium, RAAF planes screamed overhead in formation, and a mass sing-sing brought together tribes from across the country. Some locals were visibly terrified by the flyovers, but the crowd roared its approval. Things wrapped up with fireworks, a drone light show, and live music pumping into the night. For once, the whole thing was run with military efficiency.
The Overall Vibe
For all intents and purposes PNG spent a year building up to their 50th birthday and they took it seriously. The list of dignitaries was genuinely impressive, with Prince Edward being the headline, but Australia, New Zealand, China and a raft of Pacific Island nations also showing up. The people themselves got fully into it. Flags were flown from every house, people wore red, black and gold head to toe, and the mood was genuinely patriotic. Even I joined in with my PNG tie and shirt combo.
PNG has plenty of problems, not least corruption and tribal violence, but for a few days at least there was a real sense of unity. Men and women from different provinces cheered together, drank together and celebrated the fact that their nation had survived fifty years. It does not mean all their issues will vanish, but it did feel like a moment where people believed things could get better.
Click here to check out our tours to PNG, which will include the 51st Birthday.
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