Eastern Highlands Accommodation and Travel Information
Goroka is the provincial capital of the Eastern Highlands, with a history of goldmining and coffee plantations. The province is known for its annual Goroka Show, held on Independence Day in mid-September. Thousands of painted tribespeople bedecked in feathers, grass skirts and other traditional costumes, come together for a huge ‘sing sing’. The province also contains several of the country’s major river systems – the Ramu River, and the Wahgi and Aure river systems – and is home to the clay-painted Asaro Mudmen.
Attractions:
- Goroka
Lying at 1600m, this attractive town built around the airport has pleasant temperatures for walking. On Saturdays, the market, across the park on the side of the Highlands Highway, is very colourful and busy as people trade, fruit, vegetables, pigs, feathers, small animals and ferns.
- Raun Raun Theatre
Home to a Goroka-based theatre company, this circular building located in the park opposite the market is the place to see live performances.
- JK McCarthy Museum
Excellent displays of artefacts, pottery, weapons, war memorabilia and a collection of photos taken when Mick Leahy first came to the area in 1939 make this small museum a must see.
- Arts and Crafts
Baskets, highland hats, bilums, spears, bows and arrows and necklaces are available from the museum, from the footpath outside, and inside the lobby of the Bird of Paradise Hotel. Other places to look are the Christian Bookshop, the Prison Rehab Shop behind the Police Station and the art department of University of Goroka.
- Goroka Show
Each year on Independence Day in mid-September thousands of painted tribespeople gather to display their traditional cultures at a huge ‘sing sing’. There are ground-shaking dances, bands and other cultural attractions – a sight not to be missed.
- Coffee Plantations
Tours of plantations and processing plants are a good way to see some of the outlying villages.
- Asaro Mudmen
Villagers once used weird mud masks to scare their enemies and will show these off for visitors.
- Famito
This lush valley 10km south of Goroka has a 9-hole golf course, pretty villages, coffee plantations and a go-cart track.
- Lufa
A cave near here has interesting cave paintings and the village makes a good base for climbing Mount Michael (3380m). You will need guides.
- Kainantu
Strung along the highway this small town is a key service centre for the local coffee and cattle producers. Located on the Lae side of town, the Eastern Highlands Cultural Centre sells crafts and has a small museum and coffee shop.
- Ukurampa
The Summer Institute of Linguistics is based here in the Aiyura Valley, a 30-minute drive from Kainantu. It’s a pleasant place for day walks and the Institute has a guesthouse.
- Okapa
Traditional culture can be seen in the nearby Yagusa Valley. In town, Highlands Handicrafts sells bark paintings and crafts typical of the area. The Eastern Highlands Mission has a guesthouse for those wanting to do walks, birdwatching, see wildlife or visit villages.
- Birdwatching/adventure
For a remote experience, visit Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area to the south of Goroka. The people of Herowana and Ubaigubi villages can act as guides. You can fly to Herowana or reach Ubaigubi by road. Trekking between villages is only for the experienced.
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