Goroka is a city in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Famous for the yearly Goroka Show, it is also one of the closest major towns to Mt. Wilhelm, the highest summit in the country.
With around 20,000 people, Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands province of PNG. It is 1,600 m (5,200 ft) above sea level and blessed with a very pleasant, spring-like climate all year round. A university town and a base for several NGOs and institutes like the partially internationally funded Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka is somewhat less off the beaten path than rural PNG in general. For tourists, the town is best known for the Goroka Show cultural event, which draws visitors from near and far every September, though it does have natural and cultural attractions that can be enjoyed around the year.
The centre of town near the airport, market, shops and Bird of Paradise Hotel is easy to walk around and fairly safe, although it can feel otherwise as it is crowded with people. There are some reliable taxi drivers around and the hotels and resorts will be able to provide drivers.
1 J.K. McCarthy Museum, Airport Road. Highly variable hours - never sure when it's open. Set up by and named after a long-time Australian patrol officer in PNG, the museum has seen better days but, nevertheless, is well worth a visit. There are several large rooms that include World War II relics and many traditional artifacts from PNG. The most interesting section is arguably the collection of photos taken in the 1930s by the first Australians to enter the Highlands. K5. 2 Rugby League, football field opposite the market. League is PNG's national sport and most days there will be multiple games being played at the sports ground.
The Goroka Show. This sing-sing (traditional tribal gathering) is the major cultural event of the PNG Highlands and takes place during a few days around 16 September when the country celebrates its independence. The show brings together people from over 100 tribes in traditional costumes who gather for music, dancing and displays of tribal rituals. Accommodation is at a premium and you may have to fly in or drive from nearby towns. Tour companies offer trip packages to Goroka during this time, though it is possible to get there independently and buy tickets for the performances a couple days before the event. (updated Oct 2020) 1 Asaro village.
Most restaurants are located in hotels. Deck Bistro, in the Bird of Paradise Hotel, ☏ +675 731-1144. 6:30-10AM, 11:30AM-2:30PM, 6-10PM. Themed buffets that are reasonable, Enzo's Pizza and other east/west meals. Said to be the best restaurant in town but that's not saying much. K60. (updated Dec 2015) 1 Mandarin, Elizabeth St (opposite Bird of Paradise Hotel, next to Bintangor Supermarket), ☏ +675 732-2999. Lunch and dinner. Chinese restaurant. Has a takeaway booth for snacks. (updated Dec 2015) 2 The Steak House, Airport Road, in Hotel Phoenix (south of the entrance to the airport - go to the back of the compound with the sign), ☏ +675 532-3980.
Deck Bistro and Birdys Bar, in the Bird of Paradise Hotel. Two bars within the hotel, one is the bistro on a deck overlooking trees and mountains and is good in late afternoon (also does good espresso) and the other is inside near the entrance and is more of a cocktail and sports bar. An easy place to meet expats and travelling PNG people. There is a third bar ("DJ Bar") with an entrance from the outside aimed at locals that might be unsafe without local friends. 10AM-10PM. (updated Dec 2015) Bottle Shops. These are generally pretty bad in Goroka. The best wine and spirits place has shut down.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Goroka typically sees ~24°C daytime highs and 23 rainy days.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-08-30. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy