Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay Province, in the south-east of Papua New Guinea. It is located on the northern shore of Milne Bay. The town is located within the area in which the invading Japanese army suffered their first land defeat in the Pacific War in 1942, before the Kokoda Track battle. A memorial park at the old battle site commemorates the event. Alotau became the provincial capital in 1969 when it was shifted from Samarai. Alotau is a spread-out little town built on the hillsides and the northern shore of Milne Bay. Its market is a hive of activity, numerous boats depart from colourful Sanderson Harbour and locals lounge under the mighty rain trees. The town became the provincial capital in 1968 when administrators were moved from overcrowded Samarai Island. Beyond Alotau's limited WWII attractions (and the region's best restaurants!), it just acts as a jumping-off point for visiting the capes, coves and islands of Milne Bay.

Airports in Alotau, Papua New Guinea

1. Gurney Airport

Gurney Airport (IATA: GUR, ICAO: AYGN) is an airport serving Alotau in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea.

How to Get Cheap Flights to Alotau, Papua New Guinea?

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When is the Best Time to Fly to Alotau, Papua New Guinea?

Typically tropical, Alatou, Papua New Guinea’s climate is hot, humid and punctuated by heavy rains during the wet season, November-April. The dry season months, May-October, are generally the most pleasant, and also coincide with many of Papua New Guinea’s festivals. Hiking and wildlife watching are also more comfortable during the dry season and diving is good year-round while surfing on the north coast is best in the wet season.

What are the Top 3 Things to Do in Alotau, Papua New Guinea?

1. Alotau Town Area - is Alotau's biggest market place and is a hive of activity, bustling with vendors of fresh produce and fish. Higglers from nearby villages sit among mounds of yams and taro, while by far the most popular item for sale is the betel nut.

2. The Australian War Memorial - has a detailed description of the Battle of Milne Bay in which joint Australian and Papuan forces pushed back and defeated the Japanese. There's a service here on 26 August every year, commemorating the beginning of the Battle of Milne Bay. Roughly halfway between Gurney Airport and Alotau, the Turnbull Memorial marks the site of one of the wartime airstrips and commemorates the death of Australia's Squadron Leader Peter St George Turnbull, killed during the Battle of Milne Bay. If you arrived by ship, you could walk to the museum. The museum has moved and is now only a very short walk from the pier from the previous location. As you leave the cruise area, there will be people on the corners with signs. These are local tour providers. If you tell them you are going to the museum, a museum person will point the way and probably escort you. They have badges identifying them as museum guides. Most of the time, it is not a charged service. The museum has three rooms. One is about Milne Bay, next is about Papua New Guinea’s history and the third featured wood carving traditions on different islands. The displays are in English. The museum guide will be pleased to sit and talk about their culture, education system, their family, women’s culture. It was a worthwhile experience. The museum is expanding and will be moving again in the future.

3. Sanderson Harbour - is the most colourful part of town and it’s worth exploring. There are one-man canoes, brightly painted island boats, work tugs and passenger dinghies, as well as a couple of wrecks protruding from the water.