Eastern Highlands · Papua New Guinea

Goroka

The town in the Eastern Highlands at about 1,600 meters, with a mild climate, coffee, the bilum market and the Goroka Show, the country’s oldest cultural festival.

Highlands Region

In the photo: Goroka seen from Mount Kiss

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands, in a valley about 1,600 meters above sea level, with mild days and cool nights year-round. The town lies on the Highlands Highway, the road that connects Lae on the coast to the Highlands, and has its airport in the town center.

Every September, near Independence Day, Goroka hosts the Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea’s oldest cultural festival, held since the 1950s. More than a hundred groups from several provinces perform on the grounds of the National Sports Institute, wearing bird-of-paradise feather headdresses, body paint, shells and kundu drums; the Asaro mud men are among the best-known figures.

In town, the J. K. McCarthy Museum houses items from the valley cultures and photographs of the first encounters with European explorers in 1933. The market is known for bilum, the handwoven fibre bag, and the region is one of the country’s main coffee producers, celebrated at a festival in May.

Official travel advice from several countries treats Goroka differently from the rest of the Highlands. Check your country’s guidance before traveling and coordinate any trips outside town with your accommodation.

This destination brings together 1 city: Goroka.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

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Where Goroka is

Boundaries: Papua New Guinea National Statistics Office / OCHA ROAP / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Goroka

✈ Aeroporto de Goroka (GKA) · 1 km to Goroka

Goroka Airport (GKA), in the town centre, has flights from Port Moresby. By road, Goroka is on the Highlands Highway, between Lae and the other Highlands towns.

Terras Altas Orientais · Goroka Capital

Goroka

Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands, at about 1,600 meters elevation, with a mild climate and the airport in the centre. In town are the J. K. McCarthy Museum, with objects from the Highlands cultures and photographs of first contact in the 1930s; Goroka Market, known for handwoven bilum; and the Raun Raun theatre, a national cultural institution. In September, the Goroka Show brings together over a hundred dance groups at the National Sports Institute grounds.

The local experience

Things to do in Goroka

Goroka · Eastern Highlands · Museum

J. K. McCarthy Museum

Goroka museum with objects from the Highlands cultures, such as pottery, weapons, adornments and instruments; photographs of the first contact with Europeans in the 1930s; and World War II relics.

Goroka · Eastern Highlands · Market

Goroka Market

The public market of Goroka, with vegetables, fruits and Highlands products, and the bilum stalls — the handwoven fiber bag the town is known for.

Goroka · Eastern Highlands · Cultural center

Raun Raun Theatre

The national theatre company based in Goroka, one of the country’s cultural institutions that brings theatre, music and traditional dance to communities.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

The climate is mild year-round. From June to September it usually rains less; from December to March showers are more frequent, generally in the afternoon. The Goroka Show takes place in September, and the town is very busy at that time.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days for the museum, the bilum market and the Raun Raun theatre. During the Goroka Show, three to four days to follow the days of performances.

Which city to stay in

Accommodations are in the centre, near the airport, the museum and the market. During the Goroka Show, rooms fill months in advance: book early.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Goroka

When is the Goroka Show?

Every September, on dates close to September 16, Independence Day. The 2026 edition was announced for September 18–20, at the National Sports Institute grounds. Check the dates for each year.

How many days should you stay in Goroka?

Two days for the museum, the market and the Raun Raun theatre. To follow the Goroka Show, three or four days.

Is it cold in Goroka?

Days are usually mild and nights cool because of the altitude of about 1,600 meters. Bring a light jacket and a raincoat.

Where to check travel advice before going to Goroka?

Several governments publish travel advice for Papua New Guinea by region and treat Goroka differently from the rest of the Highlands. Read your country’s guidance before booking the trip and confirm with your accommodation any outings outside town.

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Goroka

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.