Information
Landmark: Star MountainsCity: Provice Area
Country: Papua New Guinea
Continent: Australia
Star Mountains, Provice Area, Papua New Guinea, Australia
Overview
The Star Mountains rise high in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province, their rugged peaks forming part of the vast island of New Guinea.The range rises with rugged slopes and shelters everything from dense pine forests to buzzing alpine meadows, earning its place as one of the region’s most important landmarks.Here’s a closer look at the Star Mountains: they rise in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province, close enough to Indonesia’s border that you can see ridges fading into the distance.The range lies northwest of the province, stretching between Kiunga and Tabubil, where the road winds past dense, rain-soaked forest.It’s part of the larger Central Cordillera range, a rugged backbone of peaks and ridges stretching the length of New Guinea.The Star Mountains rank among the tallest in Papua New Guinea, with jagged peaks that rise past 4,000 meters-about 13,120 feet-into the thin, crisp air.The range holds several remarkable peaks, among them Mount Giluwe, its summit often dusted with thin snow and ranking among the tallest in Papua New Guinea.In the Star Mountains, the tropical highland climate brings cool air at the peaks and heavy rain that drums on the leaves almost every day of the year.The climate here nurtures rich plant life, from dense tropical forests that smell of rain to bright alpine meadows blooming high in the mountains.The Star Mountains rise in sharp, jagged peaks, plunge into shadowed valleys, and in a few spots still cradle traces of ancient ice.These peaks rise from the rugged spine of the Central Cordillera range.Mount Giluwe towers over the Star Mountains, rising to 4,367 meters (14,327 feet) where the air turns crisp and thin.Rivers shape the land here, with several important ones winding through it, including the broad, muddy Fly River-one of Papua New Guinea’s largest.The valleys of the Star Mountains play a key role in catching and holding water, and their rivers spill down through the province, winding toward distant regions.Thick tropical rainforests blanket the lower slopes of the Star Mountains, their damp air heavy with the scent of wet leaves.The higher you climb, the trees give way to cool, dense montane forests, and at the very top, only wind‑swept alpine grasslands remain.In the Star Mountains, you’ll find a remarkable mix of plants, from moss-covered ferns to tiny orchids, many of which grow only here and nowhere else on the island.Thick tropical rainforests blanket the lower slopes, where mahogany, rosewood, and sago palms crowd the air with their rich, earthy scent.Higher up, the land shifts to alpine terrain-grassy meadows dotted with moss and tough little plants built to survive the chill.Fauna: The region teems with life-bright-feathered birds flit through the trees, while mammals and reptiles move quietly in the undergrowth.The Star Mountains, tucked into the larger Bird’s Head Peninsula, are a vital ecological haven, alive with a stunning mix of species-from bright tree frogs to rare orchids.High in the mountains, you’ll find a dazzling variety of birds, from the jeweled feathers of the Bird of Paradise to the heavy, thudding steps of cassowaries-many found nowhere else on Earth.You’ll often spot mountain geese, flashes of blue kingfishers, and a bright mix of parrot species in the area.In the Star Mountains, you’ll find native mammals like tree kangaroos leaping through the canopy, wallabies foraging in the undergrowth, and several species of rodents.You’ll also find several species of frogs, quick little lizards, and other reptiles basking in the sun.The Star Mountains have sheltered Indigenous peoples for centuries, from families sharing stories by smoky fires to elders passing down songs that echo through the valleys.These communities live much as their ancestors did, relying on small gardens, hunting in the forest, and pulling fish from clear mountain streams.The Awi, the Numbami, and other indigenous groups make their homes in the valleys and along the lower slopes of the Star Mountains.They depend on the region’s forests, rivers, and fertile soil for food, shelter, and traditions, with many in the Star Mountains still tending sweet potatoes, yams, bananas, and taro in garden plots handed down through generations.They still use traditional hunting and fishing methods in the nearby forests and along the clear, fast-moving rivers, and the Star Mountains sit close to major mining operations, including the Ok Tedi Mine near Tabubil.The mine produces copper and gold, driving the region’s economy; you can still see dust from the trucks drifting over the hills.Mining operations have also spurred new infrastructure, from winding dirt roads to small airstrips, opening up corners of the Star Mountains that once stood completely cut off.The region’s steep mountains and rushing streams make it well-suited for generating hydropower.Rivers and waterfalls tumbling out of the Star Mountains could power turbines, but any project needs careful oversight to keep the forests and streams from suffering.The Star Mountains, with their misty peaks and rare birds darting through the trees, hold the kind of beauty and biodiversity that could draw travelers from around the world.Hikers, bird lovers, and eco-tourists flock here, eager to roam the remote wilderness and catch the flash of a rare wing in the trees.But the area’s remoteness and steep, jungle-covered hills have kept tourist numbers far lower than in much of Papua New Guinea.In the Star Mountains of Papua New Guinea, vast stretches of forest are disappearing as logging trucks rumble through, mines carve into the earth, and farms push steadily outward.When forests disappear, wildlife declines, streams turn murky, and nearby communities-like farmers gathering firewood at dawn-struggle to make a living.Large mining operations, like the Ok Tedi Mine, have scarred the environment, sending murky waste water flowing into nearby rivers.As a result, people are worried about polluted rivers, exhausted farmland, and the disappearance of fish and other water life.Mining has changed how local communities use their land, even altering traditions like seasonal planting and grazing.The region is already feeling the sting of climate change-rainfall comes at odd times, temperatures swing without warning, and violent storms roll in more often.These changes could harm the Star Mountains’ rare ecosystems, from wind-swept alpine grasslands to dense, rain-soaked forests.In the Star Mountains, people have worked to protect its rare plants and wildlife, setting aside protected areas and launching conservation projects-some even tracking orchids that bloom only once a year.These efforts often bring together government agencies, local neighbors, and global conservation groups, sometimes around a shared table covered with maps and coffee cups.In the Star Mountains, people are talking about sustainable development as a way to tackle the problems caused by mining and logging, from scarred hillsides to rivers running cloudy after the rains.The goal is to grow the economy while protecting the environment and safeguarding people’s well-being, like keeping the air clean enough to smell the rain.
