Journey TO THE LAST FRONTIER
In the remote highland regions of Papua New Guinea, endless adventure and cultural experiences await.
Australia’s closest neighbour is also one of the most culturally diverse places on the planet. It is a country loved so wholeheartedly by those who crave authenticity, playing home to 800-plus different languages and the most unique tribes in the world.
The highlands and inland regions of Papua New Guinea are where you’ll find mysterious tribes and colourful displays of culture, worldrenowned mountain treks and the warm and friendly smiles of Papua New Guineans. Here are our top three picks for highland adventures in Papua New Guinea.
GOROKA
The annual Goroka Show (September) is the region’s main drawcard. Attracting more than 200 local tribes and international visitors alike, the festival is a spectacle of colour and culture. Visitors find themselves enchanted as tribes tell their history and celebrate their people through traditional Sing Sings. But there’s more to Goroka than just the Goroka Show – you can also visit the Asaro Village, home to the mudmen; or even visit the region’s coffee plantations, where you can pick and sample world-famous Papua New Guinean coffee. Pacific Gardens Hotel offers modern accommodation right in town.
A few hours’ drive from Goroka is one of the world’s Seven Summits. At 4,509m, Mount Wilhelm is the highest mountain in all of Oceania. On a clear day, the views are simply spectacular as you look out across the north coast of the country. At the base of the mountain is Betty’s Lodge, offering adventure-seekers basic but traditional style accommodation, coupled with Betty’s famous hospitality. A local legend herself, Betty is on hand to organise guided treks of Mount Wilhelm (for those not on a pre-organised guided tour), where it generally takes two days to summit.
MOUNT HAGEN
A five-hour drive from Goroka, or a direct flight from Port Moresby, Mount Hagen is capital of the highlands region, the true final frontier of Papua New Guinea. Of course, if you are there in August then a visit to the Mount Hagen Show is a must for those seeking a cultural display like nowhere else on earth.
Looking for a luxury escape? Rondon Ridge is one of the country’s leading luxury lodges. Not only can you expect five-star service, but it also offers incredibly picturesque surrounds. The hotel boasts panoramic views of the Wahgi Valley below, as well as vistas out to the surrounding mountains and city. While staying at Rondon Ridge, an early rise for sunrise is a must-see.
KOKODA
Trekking world-famous Kokoda is not only a 96km physical endurance challenge, it’s also a spiritual journey, retracing the footsteps of the thousands of Aussie Diggers who were killed or injured defending Australia. Kokoda is regarded by many as an Aussie rite of passage, and those who trek Kokoda walk away feeling an overwhelming sense of what it is to be an Australian. If that is not enough to sway you, the scenery you walk through is mesmerising as you pass by deep jungle and beautiful waterfalls. To find a reputable Kokoda tour operator, please visit kokodatrackauthority.org.
With regular direct flights from Sydney (four hours), Brisbane (three hours) and Cairns (1.5 hours), Papua New Guinea is the closeto-home, off-the-beaten-track, must-visit destination for true travellers.
Find your own highland adventure at papuanewguinea.travel.