If you visit Jayapura, the capital of West Papua, then there’s a decent chance you’ll end up at Teletubbies Hill. WTF exactly is Teletubbies Hill, is it worth the trip, and will you see Tinky Winky and his comrades?
Well, while you might not actually see the cast of the show, and the Teletubbies link is a bit tenuous at best, it is still very much worth the journey.
WTF is Teletubbies Hill?
Teletubbies Hill is the nickname for a spot officially known as Bukit Yarmok, located not in Jayapura city itself but in the town of Sentani — which also happens to be where the airport is. So while you might think you’re landing in Jayapura, what you’re really landing in is this stunning little corner of the world that most tourists barely scratch the surface of.
Sentani is famous for its huge lake, Danau Sentani, fringed by traditional Papuan villages and dotted with islands that look like they were lifted from a movie set. Bukit Yarmok rises from the southern edge of the lake, giving you views of the water, the Cyclops Mountains, and the patchwork of jungle and villages below. It’s all very green, very serene, and very un-Jakarta.
What makes the hill special isn’t just the view. It’s the fact that the whole area has this wide-open, peaceful vibe to it. There’s not a single high-rise in sight. It feels like a world away from everything, and you know what it truly is.
Click to read about the Street Food Wamena Scene.
Why is it also called Teletubbies Hill?
The nickname “Teletubbies Hill” goes back to around 2016, when a local Papuan influencer uploaded drone footage of the grassy, rolling hills and made a comparison to the surreal, candy-coloured world of the Teletubbies TV show. The internet loved it, and the name stuck. Before long, tourists started showing up, and the local government, never one to miss a branding opportunity, began using the name in official signage and promo material.
Now it’s called that pretty much everywhere. There’s even a sign at the top that says “Bukit Teletubbies.” Want to park your car? That’ll be 100,000 rupiah. Want to walk up? That’s free, but you’ll pay the price in sweat.
Is it worth visiting?
Yes. Even if you couldn’t care less about purple aliens with handbags, this place is one of the most visually impressive spots in all of Papua. It’s not just a gimmick location. The hills really are that green, the views really are that good, and the whole experience is one of those things that reminds you why you left your apartment in the first place.
From the parking area, there are about 300 steps to the main viewpoint. It’s not the world’s hardest hike, but the midday sun can make it feel like you’re walking on the surface of Mars. Bring water. Or better yet, buy juice at the bottom. There are usually a couple of women with blenders and ice coolers set up under umbrellas, serving freshly squeezed orange or soursop juice for less than 50 cents. After a climb like that, it’s basically the nectar of the gods.
At sunset, the hill gets busy. Not with foreign tourists, but with locals. Groups of teenagers with guitars, couples taking selfies, families with bags of fried snacks. Street food vendors tend to pop up depending on the day and the weather. You might find grilled corn, bakso meatballs, or even fresh ikan bakar if you’re lucky. It’s a social place, not some sterile tourist lookout, and that’s a big part of its charm.
How to get to Teletubbies Hill
From central Jayapura, it’s roughly a 45-minute drive to Sentani. If you’re coming straight from Sentani Airport, you’re already basically there — just a 10 to 15-minute ride depending on traffic. Ask a driver to take you to “Bukit Teletubbies” or “Bukit Yarmok Sentani” and they’ll know exactly what you mean.
The road up is paved but steep in places. It’s doable on a motorbike or car, but probably not something you want to walk from the base of the hill. There are no official websites, no online booking, no contact numbers. Just turn up, pay for parking, and start climbing.
And if course if you come here on a tour, well we got you covered.
Conclusion
While I’m not exactly a card-carrying member of the Teletubbies fan club, this is one of the best viewpoints I’ve ever been to. And not just in Indonesia — I mean anywhere. Teletubbies Hill offers that rare mix of stunning scenery, total chill, and just enough weirdness to make it memorable.
West Papua is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. One can only hope the people here manage to get a wee bit of peace and autonomy, and indeed the chance to enjoy it without having to pay 100,000 to park next to a beauty spot named after a shit British kids show….