For many visitors, Mt. Hagen has an exciting frontier atmosphere. The Saturday market is one of the biggest in Papua New Guinea. It is a crowded, colourful meeting place and trading venue which attracts people from all over the province. The Western Highlands Cultural Centre features a reconstructed village hut and exhibits an interesting display of artifacts and curios.
Handicrafts are for sale at the centre.
An hour's drive from Mt. Hagen, the Baiyer River wildlife sanctuary protects the largest collection of birds of paradise in the world. This magnificent sanctuary set in the rainforest of the Baiyer Valley hosts the rare Blue Bird of Paradise, gliding possums, tree kangaroos, and over 80 species of butterflies. A hiking track climbs through the forest to the top of a ridge, where a panorama of valleys and mountain peaks unfolds. The proud Huli are the largest ethnic group in the Southern Highlands, and the men are famous for their striking decorative wigs made from human hair, flowers, feathers and cuscus fur. Wives and children are required to donate their hair for the men's elaborate wigs.