Things to do in Alotau
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Australian War Memorial
The recently commissioned Australian War Memorial has a detailed description of the Battle of Milne Bay. There's a service here on 26 August every year, commemorating the beginning of the Battle of Milne Bay.
In 1942, at 23:30 on 25 August the Japanese Imperial Army started invading Milne Bay. In just two landings a few days apart, the Japanese established a 2,400-strong army near Ahioma. Unlike Kokoda, the battle of Milne Bay was not to be a protracted affair; it would be over in just 12 days.
The Japanese fought skirmishes with the Allies and their base suffered early casualties under a fierce RAAF aircraft-led barrage. On the moonlit nights of 26-27 August the Japanese …
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Milne Bay Game Fishing Club
The well-organised Milne Bay Game Fishing Club can advise on boats and is happy to find some gear for you, particularly during one of the regular competitions or the annual Milne Bay Classic, which takes place on the first weekend of December.
For the sports fisherman, Milne Bay has a number of game fish worth trolling, jigging and casting for - giant marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, mackerel, barramundi and the Papuan black bass.
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Diving
Alotau has some incredible diving - along the north coast, within the bay and around the islands. Unfortunately there are no longer any diving operators based in Alotau itself. Until another tender starts up, the only way to see some of these incredible seascapes is to travel to Tawali Resort, 1½ hours up the coast. Day trips to Tawali Resort can be arranged through the Milne Bay Tourist Bureau.
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Alotau Harbour
The Alotau 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 vessels. The busy harbour activity attests to it being the province's main cargo hub. For a bird's-eye view of the harbour, walk up the steps in town to the hospital, take the right fork and keep going for a couple of hundred metres.
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Driftwood fishing safaris
Operating from a newly built boutique hotel, Driftwood offers both saltwater and freshwater fishing safaris using quality Shimano equipment in a variety of boats at a range of prices.
For the sports fisherman, Milne Bay has a number of game fish worth trolling, jigging and casting for - giant marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, mackerel, barramundi and the Papuan black bass.
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Tawali Resort diving
Alotau has some incredible diving - along the north coast, within the bay and around the islands. Unfortunately there are no longer any diving operators based in Alotau itself. Until another tender starts up, the only way to see some of these incredible seascapes is to travel to Tawali Resort, 1½ hours up the coast. Day trips to Tawali Resort can be arranged through Napatana Lodge.
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Milne Bay Magic Tours
Offers a range of tours including a WWII tour of the Battle of Milne Bay and a creek bed filled with abandoned Japanese landing craft. There are also tours of local bat caves and trips to Samarai and Kwato Islands. Snorkelling gear can be rented here for around K10.
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Cameron Club
Located near the waterfront west of the centre is the local drinking hole. It's a large, cavernous space reminiscent of a rugby clubhouse. There are some large snooker tables in the corner and you can borrow racquets for the squash or tennis courts from the bar.
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Dive Milne Bay
Trobriand Islanders come to Alotau to sell their carvings and they'll find you around town. Dive Milne Bay has the town's best collection of Trobriand lime pots, walking sticks and bowls; all reasonably priced. There are small handicraft shops at the top hotels.
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Alotau Beaches
There are several good black-sand swimming beaches to the east of town towards Ahioma, although they're not obvious from the road. PMVs run past and it's dead easy to hitch a ride along this stretch of road, though obviously women should be more cautious.
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Cameron Secondary School
Cameron Secondary School welcomes visitors to its cultural village in the afternoon when students have finished their studies and are free to show guests around. Donations should be made to the school library and not to the students themselves.
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Education Milne Bay
Local and international groups contact these former school teachers to organise outdoor and cultural programmes. Generally such tours focus on environmental and community development utilising their impressive Wanigili centre.
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Horseriding
It's possible to ride horses through the oil palm plantations on the outskirts of town; contact Ken Fitzgerald if you are keen, although he can be notoriously difficult to get hold of.
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Marlin 1 Dive Charter Boats
From time to time, dive charter boats are based in Alotau, including the Marlin 1 dive charter boats, a 50ft vessel specialising in research and hydrographic survey charters.
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Island Adventure Tours
Operates a glass-bottomed boat and a basic guesthouse east of Alotau at Divinai village. Its office is based in the mustard-coloured house near Education Milne Bay.
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Jetty
Although it's built on a wharf, its pretty location can at times be marred by the sound of locals smashing their bottles against the side of the building.
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MV Golden Dawn dive charter boats
From time to time, dive charter boats are based in Alotau, including the MV Golden Dawn dive charter boats.
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Telita Dive Charter Boat
From time to time, dive charter boats are based in Alotau, including the 10-berth Telita dive charter boats.
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By the Bay Restaurant
Has a tasty, if somewhat eclectic mix of Western and Asian dishes as well as pizza.
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Kai Bars
Sell the usual fare of fried chicken, local veggies and greasy chips.
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