Eastern Highlands ProvinceSights

Sights in Eastern Highlands Province

  1. Goroka Show

    The Goroka Show, is held over the Independence Day weekend (mid-September) at the National Sports Institute. It attracts more singsing groups than Mt Hagen's show and there are also bands and other cultural activities, as well as some elements of an agricultural show. The show is the glamour event on the social calendar for many performers and it is extraordinary how many feathers one person can squeeze onto a headdress.

    Performers all receive a payment from the proceeds and you are neither expected nor encouraged to tip individuals. Make accommodation arrangements early as many places (especially top-end hotels) are booked out months in advance. Prices, like a Highland h…

    reviewed

  2. JK McCarthy Museum

    JK McCarthy was one of PNG's legendary patrol officers and wrote one of the classic books on New Guinea patrolling - Patrol into Yesterday. The museum is not far from the National Sports Institute, but a long walk from the town centre.

    Among the exhibits are pottery, weapons, clothes and musical instruments, and even some grisly jewellery - Anga mourning necklaces of human fingers! 'Peer through the mists of time' courtesy of a fascinating collection of photos - many taken by Mick Leahy when he first reached the area in 1933. There are also WWII relics, including a P-39 Aircobra.

    reviewed

  3. Raun Raun Theatre

    Goroka's acclaimed theatre group, Raun Raun Theatre, has toured nationally and internationally. The theatre is a superb building, which blends traditional materials and modern architecture. It's located on parkland about 500m due north of the post office. Performances are irregular, but you might get lucky.

    reviewed

  4. Mt Kis Lookout

    Wisdom St, beside the post office, leads to a track that climbs to an excellent lookout, Mt Kis, so-called because it's the lovers' leap of Goroka. It's a long, steep walk. There are two large water tanks halfway there, and a ladder you can climb to catch spectacular views of the distant valleys through the pine trees and the Highlands mist. It's well worth the effort.

    reviewed