Ulawun is an active volcano in West New Britain, Papua New Guinea, on the island of New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago. At 2,334 m, it is the highest mountain in the Nakanai Plateau and the highest of its 18 named peaks.
The volcano rises in Talasea District and is one of the most active in the country. Its steep slopes, frequent eruptions and location near settled areas make it a major landmark as well as a serious natural hazard. Ulawun is also the high point of the Nakanai Plateau.
Pick a date to see who is going
No users yet
No routes yet.
No ascent logs yet. Be the first to log your climb!
Ulawun belongs to the broad chain Melanesia > Bismarck Archipelago > New Britain > Nakanai Plateau. It lies in Papua New Guinea, in West New Britain, within Talasea District. At 2,334 m, it is the highest of the 18 named peaks in the Nakanai Plateau and the plateau’s high point. The mountain rises from a volcanic landscape on New Britain, with steep upper slopes and lower ground that is generally tropical and heavily vegetated.
Ulawun is the tallest summit in its immediate area, but several lower peaks and volcanic centres lie nearby.
Compared with these neighbours, Ulawun rises far above the surrounding terrain and dominates the skyline of western New Britain.
Within 25 km, the main higher or nearby reference points are the lower volcanic and mountain summits around Ulawun rather than any higher peak, because Ulawun itself is the highest point in the Nakanai Plateau. In clear conditions, the most relevant landmarks are Mount Likuruanga to the northeast, Mount Bamus to the southwest, Giwu Peak to the northwest, Mount Tambi to the northeast, and Mount Lolobau to the northwest. These are all well below Ulawun’s summit.
Ulawun is part of the Nakanai Plateau The plateau has 18 named peaks, and Ulawun ranks first by elevation among them. The range hierarchy given for the mountain runs from Melanesia through the Bismarck Archipelago and New Britain to the Nakanai Plateau. Ulawun’s prominence of 2,334 m matches its summit height, showing how completely it rises above the surrounding land.
Ulawun is an active stratovolcano and one of Papua New Guinea’s most active volcanoes. Recorded eruptions go back to 1700, and the volcano has had many eruptions in historical time. A major eruption on 26 June 2019 sent ash high into the atmosphere, forced evacuations, closed nearby flights and cut the New Britain Highway in several places. In November 2023, renewed ash emissions and explosive activity raised the alert level to the top stage before it eased again. Ulawun is also classed among the Decade Volcanoes.
Climate data for the summit are estimates from NASA POWER climate data. At the summit, the warmest month is April at about 15 °C, and the coldest is January at about 14 °C. Temperatures stay above freezing in every month. The surrounding area receives about 2,600 mm of rain a year, with the wettest month in January at about 320 mm and the driest in October at about 170 mm. Expect humid tropical weather, heavy showers, slippery ground and poor visibility during volcanic plumes or rain.
Because the summit stays above freezing all year, timing is driven more by rainfall and volcanic conditions than by cold. The relatively drier period is around October, while January is the wettest month. For a climb or approach, the better window is usually the less rainy part of the year, when tracks are less saturated and river crossings are easier. Even then, weather can change quickly, and ashfall or eruptive activity can override any seasonal plan.
The lower slopes of Ulawun are in a humid tropical setting with dense vegetation, while the upper mountain becomes more open and exposed. Around this elevation in Papua New Guinea, forest, secondary growth and volcanic ground are typical, with birds, insects and other tropical wildlife adapted to warm, wet conditions. On active volcanic slopes, fresh ash and unstable ground can interrupt plant cover. The mountain is not described here as part of a protected area, so the main natural features are its volcanic terrain and surrounding rainforest landscape.
In Papua New Guinea, mountain travel is usually arranged through local operators and experienced guides rather than as a casual independent outing. The country’s established guiding company listed here is PNG Trekking Adventures in Port Moresby. There is no organised mountain rescue, and services may be limited outside Port Moresby. For Kokoda Track trekking, a permit is required through a KTA-licensed operator, but that rule does not apply to Ulawun itself. For an active volcano, guided access is the sensible choice because conditions can change quickly.
Ulawun demands preparation for steep volcanic ground, heat, rain, ash and sudden changes in activity. Loose ash, unstable slopes and poor visibility are common hazards, and eruptive alerts can close access without notice. Carry enough water, protect your eyes and lungs if ash is present, and be ready to turn back if conditions worsen. The emergency number for mountain rescue and other urgent help in Papua New Guinea is 111; ambulance is 111, police 112 and fire 110.
The name is commonly written as Ulawun, and some sources also use Uluwun. The volcano’s recorded eruptive history begins in 1700, when William Dampier noted activity while sailing past New Britain. Another notable eruption in 1915 covered the settlement of Toriu, about 50 km to the northeast, with ash. Since then, Ulawun has remained one of the country’s most active volcanoes and a major focus of volcanic monitoring.
Ulawun is the highest mountain in the Nakanai Plateau and the highest of its 18 named peaks. Its prominence is 2,334 m, equal to its elevation, which shows how isolated it is above the surrounding terrain. It is also the highest mountain in New Britain and one of the most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea. The nearest named peak in the list is Mount Likuruanga, 12.5 km to the northeast.
How high is Ulawun? Ulawun rises to 2,334 m.
Where is Ulawun? It is in Talasea District, West New Britain, on New Britain in Papua New Guinea.
What range is Ulawun part of? It belongs to the Nakanai Plateau, within the wider chain Melanesia > Bismarck Archipelago > New Britain > Nakanai Plateau.
What are the nearest peaks? The closest listed summit is Mount Likuruanga, 12.5 km to the northeast; other nearby points include Mount Bamus, Giwu Peak and Mount Lolobau.
Is there water on the way to Ulawun? On a volcanic mountain like this, water sources are not something to rely on; carry enough for the whole outing, usually about 1.5-3 litres for a day depending on heat and length, and treat any natural water before drinking it.
Is mobile coverage reliable? Coverage in the hills is often patchy and depends on the operator. On open ground with a clear view it may be better, but behind ridges and in valleys it can fail. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you set out.
When is the best time to go? The drier period is around October; January is the wettest month. For Ulawun, volcanic alerts and weather matter more than temperature.
No posts yet.
