Eastern Highlands

The province

Get to know Eastern Highlands

The Eastern Highlands province lies on the eastern side of New Guinea’s central highlands, between fertile valleys and forested mountains. The capital, Goroka, is about 1,600 meters above sea level, with mild days and cool nights.

The Goroka Show, held since 1956, is one of the country’s major cultural gatherings. In September, near Independence Day, groups from several provinces perform wearing bird-of-paradise feather headdresses, body paint, shells, and kundu drums in events known as sing-sing.

In the Asaro River valley live the Asaro Mudmen, who perform with their bodies covered in clay and large clay masks and take part in the Goroka Show. In Goroka, the J. K. McCarthy Museum houses objects from Highland cultures and photographs from first contacts with Europeans in the 1930s.

The province is one of Papua New Guinea’s main coffee regions, grown on smallholder farms on the slopes. Goroka’s markets sell vegetables, fruit, and bilum, the handwoven fiber bag used throughout the country.

The Highlands Highway connects Lae on the coast with Goroka and the other Highlands. The U.S. government advises against travel to this province, except to the town of Goroka. Before planning, check your own government’s current travel advice.