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Province · Highlands Region
Western Highlands
The Western Highlands feature Mount Hagen, the Wahgi River valley, tea and coffee plantations, and the Kuk agricultural site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the photo: Kuk Early Agricultural Site
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know Western Highlands
The Western Highlands province lies in the center of the New Guinea mountain range, around the broad Wahgi River valley. The capital, Mount Hagen, is one of the country’s largest towns and the main commercial center of the Highlands, at over 1,600 meters elevation.
The Mount Hagen Show, held in August, is one of the country’s major cultural gatherings, with dance groups from several provinces, feather headdresses, body painting, shells and drums.
The Kuk Early Agricultural Site, in the Wahgi valley, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. Excavations show that the peoples of New Guinea drained swamps and cultivated plants thousands of years ago, representing one of the independent origins of agriculture in the world.
The Wahgi valley has tea and coffee plantations, and Mount Hagen’s markets sell vegetables, sweet potatoes and bilum, the handwoven bag. The surrounding mountains, including Mount Hagen, which gives the town its name, are covered in forest.
The United States government advises against travel to this province, except for the town of Mount Hagen, and the Australian government recommends reconsidering travel to Mount Hagen. Before planning, check the current travel advice from your government.
When to go
Because of the altitude, days are mild and nights are cool year‑round. The driest season is usually June to September, and rainfall increases from December to March.
Getting there
Kagamuga Airport (HGU), near Mount Hagen, has flights from Port Moresby. By road, the town lies on the Highlands Highway, which continues east to Goroka and Lae, and west to Enga and the Southern Highlands.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Western Highlands
What is the Mount Hagen Show?
It is one of Papua New Guinea’s major cultural gatherings, held in August near Mount Hagen, featuring dance groups from several provinces, feather headdresses, body painting and kundu drums.
What is the Kuk site?
It is the Kuk Early Agricultural Site, in the Wahgi River valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. There, drainage channels and traces of cultivation show how the Highlands peoples began growing plants thousands of years ago.
Do any governments advise against travel to the Western Highlands?
Yes. The United States government advises against travel to the province, except for the town of Mount Hagen, and the Australian government recommends reconsidering travel to Mount Hagen. Because travel advisories can change, check the current guidance from your country.
How do I get to Mount Hagen?
By air, via Kagamuga Airport with flights from Port Moresby, or by road along the Highlands Highway, which connects the town to Goroka and Lae.