More info
Find Travel Agents Near You
The Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea is known for mountain landscapes, strong tribal culture, major sing-sing festivals, and high-altitude valleys. The region includes 7 provinces: Eastern Highlands, Enga, Simbu, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Hela, and Jiwaka.
Located in PNG’s mountainous interior, the Highlands Region offers a cooler climate, dramatic scenery, and direct access to village life and cultural traditions. Travellers visit for trekking, birdwatching, festivals, and time spent in some of the country’s most distinct landscapes.
The Highlands Region sits in Papua New Guinea’s inland mountain ranges and spans 7 provinces across elevated valleys, ridgelines, and forested terrain.
The region lies west of the mainland’s coastal areas and is defined by altitude, with many locations sitting above 1,500 metres. Key travel hubs include Goroka, Mt Hagen, Tari, Kundiawa, Wabag, and Mendi, each providing access to different parts of the Highlands.
| Fact | Detail |
| Region | Highlands Region |
| Provinces | 7 |
| Key Hubs | Goroka, Mt Hagen, Tari, Kundiawa, Wabag, Mendi |
| Known For | Culture, trekking, birdwatching, coffee, festivals |
The Highlands Region stands out for its combination of cultural identity, mountain scenery, and access to remote communities.
The region differs from coastal PNG through its cooler temperatures, elevated terrain, and strong tribal traditions. Village life remains central across all provinces, with customs, language groups, and local practices continuing across generations.
Travellers experience:
Each province contributes a different experience within the region.
The Highlands Region includes 7 provinces, each offering distinct landscapes and cultural experiences.
| Province | What It’s Known For |
| Eastern Highlands Province | Goroka, coffee, Asaro Mudmen, Goroka Show, JK McCarthy Museum |
| Enga Province | Wabag, waterfalls, high-altitude lakes, Enga Cultural Show, Take Anda Museum |
| Simbu Province | Kundiawa, Mount Wilhelm, trekking |
| Southern Highlands Province | Mendi, Mount Giluwe, Lake Kutubu, Kutubu Kundu & Digaso Festival |
| Western Highlands Province | Mt Hagen, Waghi Valley, culture, Blue Bird-of-Paradise, Hagen Show |
| Hela Province | Tari Valley, Huli culture, birdlife |
| Jiwaka Province | Mountain scenery, rivers, culture, traditional food |
Cultural experiences define travel across the Highlands. Visitors can see the Asaro Mudmen in Eastern Highlands Province, visit Huli communities in Hela Province, and engage with village life across multiple provinces.
The Highlands offer some of PNG’s most recognised trekking routes. Mount Wilhelm in Simbu Province is the country’s highest peak at 4,509 metres. Mount Giluwe in Southern Highlands Province reaches 4,368 metres and is known for its volcanic terrain.
Bird watching areas in Western Highlands Province and Hela Province provide access to species unique to PNG’s highland forests. Landscapes include valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and dense rainforest.
Coffee production forms a key part of the region’s economy. Areas around Goroka in Eastern Highlands Province provide opportunities to learn about local coffee growing and processing.
The Highlands Region is one of Papua New Guinea’s strongest cultural areas, with traditions visible in both daily life and organised events.
The Goroka Show in Eastern Highlands Province is one of the country’s most recognised festivals. It features groups from across PNG performing traditional dances, wearing ceremonial dress, and sharing cultural practices.
Across the region, communities maintain:
Cultural engagement remains a key part of travelling through the Highlands.
The Highlands Region features some of Papua New Guinea’s most elevated and varied landscapes.
Mountain ranges, valleys, and highland plains dominate the region. Mount Wilhelm in Simbu Province stands at 4,509 metres, making it the highest point in PNG. Mount Giluwe in Southern Highlands Province is the second highest peak.
Other natural features include:
These landscapes shape both travel experiences and daily life in the Highlands.
The easiest way to travel through the Highlands Region is by combining domestic flights, road travel, and structured itineraries.
Flights connect Port Moresby to key locations such as Goroka and Mt Hagen. From these hubs, road travel provides access to surrounding valleys and provinces.
Due to distance and terrain, pre-planned routes improve efficiency and access to multiple locations within a single trip.
Highlands itineraries provide a practical way to experience multiple provinces and activities in one trip.
The Itineraries & Packages page includes a range of Highlands options:
These itineraries combine transport, accommodation, and guided activities, making travel across the region more accessible.
The best time to visit the Highlands Region is during the drier months, when travel conditions are more stable.
Lower rainfall improves road access, trekking conditions, and visibility across mountain landscapes. September is a key travel period due to the Goroka Show.
Weather patterns vary by province, but drier conditions generally provide a more consistent travel experience.
The Highlands Region offers one of Papua New Guinea’s most culturally rich and visually distinct travel experiences.
Visitors gain access to:
The region combines culture, nature, and history within a single inland destination.
Planning travel through the Highlands Region can involve multiple provinces and routes. Contact our friendly team for practical advice on travel, timing, and how to experience the region with confidence.
Thank you for submitting your registration for the PNG Tourism Sector Legislation Review!
Spaces are limited per consultation, so only registered participants will be contacted.
Kind regards,
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority
Thank you for submitting your business form. We will have our team look over the details and then contact you once we have added your details to our website.