An Australian mother and her teenage daughter have been left injured and traumatized after they were allegedly attacked by a gunman while on a cruise holiday.

Leeson Hansen’s family traveled to the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea aboard the P&O Pacific Encounter last month.

But the Brisbane family’s dream holiday escalated into chaos on October 21 when their ship arrived in Rabaul – a small town in northern Papua New Guinea known for its volcanoes and dive sites.

Hansen’s wife, Elizabeth, and the couple’s two teenage children joined several other tourists who disembarked to explore the nearby Rabaul Page Park market.

“A gunman jumped from the side of the square and cut my 16-year-old daughter’s backpack with a large knife, then hit her with the knife which missed her chest causing her to jump back.” Mr. Hansen told him Courier mail.

“My wife came back to see what was happening and then she cut his hand.

“The locals were screaming… but the guy sprinted and my family was helped into a small van which took them back to the ship.”

Leeson Hansen says his wife Elizabeth (pictured) and teenage daughter were attacked with a knife during a day trip to Rabaul

Elizabeth needed stitches following the terrifying ordeal during a stopover on the trip

Mr Hansen insisted his family did everything they could to try to stay safe, sticking to main roads and walking with other tourists.

Pacific Encounter staff treated and stitched up Ms Hansen on board and offered the teenagers counseling following the painful encounter.

The family arrived home five days later and Mrs Hansen’s stitches were removed last Tuesday.

Mr Hansen spoke of the terrifying ordeal to warn other holidaymakers that “these ports are not as safe as we’ve been led to believe”.

“(P&O) worked hard to continue with trauma counseling for the children, but it really put a damper on an expensive holiday,” he said.

The Brisbane family were on holiday aboard P&O’s Pacific Encounter at the time

A P&O Cruises Australia spokesman confirmed the cruise ship had assisted three passengers following an incident in Papua New Guinea.

He described the attack as an “isolated incident” and said the company was “in regular contact with the family”.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Police are investigating the alleged attack with local police.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted P&O for further comment.