Waigani Location Profile

Overview

Buy$1M - $1M

Rent$2K - $2K

For Sale12 Homes

For Rent16 Homes

Waigani Suburb, often referred to as Waga, is centrally positioned between Tokarara, Ensisi, Gordons, and Gerehu, located northwest of downtown Port Moresby and southwest of Jackson’s International Airport.

As one of the largest and most iconic suburbs in Port Moresby, Waigani is home to several notable landmarks, including the National Parliament, National Museum, National Library, Port Moresby National Arts Theatre, National Archives, Morauta Haus, and the newly refurbished City Hall.

The large population in Waigani can be both an advantage and a challenge, depending on one's perspective. Since the 2018 APEC Summit, the suburb has seen a significant boost in infrastructure development, with key projects including:

Independence Boulevard
The Convention Center
Koura Way, which connects Waigani and Hanuabada via Tokarara and June Valley
Keni Vani Road, linking Gerehu and Rainbow Estate with 8 and 9 Mile
Sir Manasupe Haus (formerly the Pineapple Building)

Key Information

The land in Waigani has been categorized as State land. Its development did not start until 1973 when PNG was granted self-government. At that time, most of the government institutions including the House of Assembly (predecessor to the National Parliament) and the courts were located in Town and Konedobu.

New buildings were built in Waigani after independence in 1975 which gradually saw the relocation of all government services. Designed and built to resemble a spirit house in the East Sepik Province, the PNG National Parliament was opened on August 8, 1984 by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles.

Over the years successive PNG governments invited members of the diplomatic community to open up missions in Waigani. Today you can find embassies and high commissions representing Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan, Republic of Indonesia and the People’s Republic of China in Waigani.

Waigani is the hub of Papua New Guinea’s bureaucracy, housing key institutions such as City Hall, the Department of the Prime Minister, and the Departments of Finance, Justice and Attorney General, and Trade Commerce and Industry, among others.

In recent years, Waigani has also become a vibrant commercial and entertainment center with the opening of Vision City, PNG's largest shopping mall. Vision City offers a range of amenities, including shopping, dining, cinemas, and the Cosmopolitan Night Club for nightlife. Directly across the road, Rangeview Plaza, expected to be completed in 2022, will provide an upscale shopping experience with food outlets, designer brands, and residential properties.

The area also hosts a significant hospitality industry, featuring prominent hotels such as the Holiday Inn, Lamana Hotel, and Stanley Hotel, with the Hilton Hotel located nearby in the suburb of Hohola.

Things To Do in Waigani

Over the past decade, Vision City has become PNG's largest shopping mall, serving as a central hub for shopping, dining, and catching the latest movies. Across the road, Rangeview Plaza, opened in 2022, has offers different shopping and dinning options. For duty-free items or gifts, you can visit Vision City or The Stanley Hotel. Additionally, the Pom City Markets, held monthly at the National Museum, offer a range of unique gifts for family and friends.

Waigani is a large suburb with various landmarks including the National Parliament House and Sir John Guise Stadium. It is recommended to visit the National Museum just next door to the Parliament House or check into the Sir John Guise Stadium to see one of the local rugby or football games.

Consisting of various hotels, shopping malls and centres, you will never run out of options for food. Vision City Mega Mall is a good place to start with Asian and Western cuisine found here including Hogs Breath Cafe, Korean Garden and Hosi Ramen.

Outside of Vision City, you will find Lamana Hotel which offers Brazilian, Indian and Italian restaurants all in one place! Just down the road, the Holiday Inn offers succulent T-Bone steaks, or just next door to the Rangeview Plaza is the Savannah Heights Bistro, offering Asian cuisine, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Lunch time specials include the famous Buffalo Burger and Meat Haus which offers the best pies in town, or if you're a little more hungry, get a Buffalo Burger. Within the same precinct you can find Big Rooster, Fusion Bistro 2 (Malaysian), and Jean's Delight.

A favourite for many is Heritage Cafe which has a large menu and large servings of Asian dishes.

Tuesday's are burger days at the Dream Inn restaurent - buy one burger, get one half price, with one of the best cheese burgers in town.

There are a number of nightclubs in Waigani, though there are some that have a cover charge. The Cosmopolitan at Vision City and the Lamana Gold Club are located in Waigani and are the popular venues to host special performances or events. Other clubs nearby include the Port Moresby Golf Club and The Laguna Hotel which offers a poolside bar great for event hires.