Bougainville Island is a high mountainous island of volcanic origin apart from its northern end which is uplifted coral. The highest point on the island is Mount Babli at 2715 metres a now dormant volcano. Half way down on the western side is Mount Bagana still a very active volcano and at night puts on a display of fiery molten lava rock as it continues to rumble away. The island is heavily forested and most villages are situated on the coral fringes or the river planes. There are some villages higher up and require a long walk to get there. These people are more dependent on gardening as a food source but also trade with costal villages for fish. With the mountains come more rain and cooler temperatures and a different array of vegetables including carrots, potato, lettuce, onion and even avocado.
The main road runs down the eastern side of the island linking the communities together and goes as far south as Buin before turning north and heading through the Panguna mine site back to Arawa.
Prior to the crisis, Arawa was the Provincial Capital. Post crisis Arawa remains the largest town on Bougainville Mainland with a population of around 2000.
The Market in Awara is a hive of activity on Wednesday and Friday. Be sure to get there early to make the most of the fresh fish, lobster and vegetables grown it the higher mountain areas that are not obtainable in the warmer climates of Buka. There are also bilums and other artefacts at the market.
Buin, further south, is the next largest town; from the township a road heads south to Kanga beach and the very southern end of the island. From here it is possible to see the Solomon Islands. The southern town of Buin was another important base for the Japanese during WWII and Admiral Yamamoto’s plane wreck can be found here along with many others. Large underground tunnels were built for the Japanese to hide and move from one place to another without being detected.
Torkina is on the western side of Bougainville mainland. It is only accessible by boat.
Also on the western side is possibly the worlds largest cave (Bunua) it is 4 500 000 square metres. The western side of Bougainville is mostly mangrove and swamp for the most part and many crocodiles live here with the odd tale of people being attacked or eaten. Much of the roads are surrounded by coconut plantations with cocoa growing underneath. These are the main cash crops of Bougainville.