Things to do in Wewak
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A
main market
The main market, at the west end of the town's main shopping strip is pretty colourful thanks to the multitude of umbrellas used to shade the merchants. There are a few bilums (string bags) and occasionally, some small trinkets for sale; otherwise it's largely all local produce on offer. The dried fish can get fairly 'ripe' in the hot sun but it's worth poking around here to see if anyone has brought in a live baby crocodile to sell - usually with its snout tied shut.
This is also the main PMV stop.
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Mission Point to Cape Boram
Near the main wharf lie the rusting remains of MV Busama. Further down at Kreer, on the road to the airport, there's the wooden hulk of a Taiwanese fishing junk. On the beach between Kreer Market and the hospital are some rapidly disappearing rusting Japanese landing barges. The Japanese War Memorial marks the mass grave of many troops. The soldier's bodies were later exhumed and returned to Japan.
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B
Japanese Memorial Peace Park
This park contains a memorial and a fish pond. Tok Pisin doesn't have a word for peace; 'Peace' sounds like pis, which means fish. Thus, most locals refer to the park as pis park, which is perhaps appropriate given the fish pond and the general ambivalence that many modern Papua New Guineans have towards WWII. Ironically, the peace park is enclosed by a wire fence.
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C
Sepik Adventure Tours
The most visible of the local operators and a valuable source of information. Friendly Alois Mateos also owns Ambunti Lodge on the Upper Sepik and specialises in all-inclusive tours based there. Bear in mind that four of those days are actually spent in Wewak or travelling to/from Pagwi.
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D
Wewak Yacht Club
The yacht club overlooks a nice part of the harbour. There aren't too many yachts tied up, and the patrons are mostly Wewak locals and expats who come for drinks and simple pub-grub. Dances are held here every couple of months and while the club is for members, tourists are welcomed.
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snorkelling
There's excellent snorkelling around the Wewak headland, over the outer reef and off the nearby islands. Like many coastal places in PNG, the diving conditions around Wewak are sensational - reefs, wrecks, tropical fish - but there's no organised diving industry in Wewak.
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Surfing
Between mid-October and late April monsoon swells bring waves between 3ft and 8ft to PNG's northern coast, and there are several good breaks around Wewak. Some of the hotels have surfboards, but they're pretty battered - surfers usually bring their own.
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Ralf Stüttgen
Ralf Stüttgen has a vast array of Sepik carvings collected over a lifetime with pieces from 50 different villages. His artefacts are for sale, or he can tell you where to buy particular pieces on the river.
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E
The Vanilla Room
The Vanilla Room is reasonably priced and serves local food prepared to international standards with dishes such as seared yellow-finned tuna or chicken in green coconut curry. Yum.
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Swimming
Wewak's beaches are excellent - long stretches of white sand that fall away gently under the water. The water is clean and clear, warm and very inviting.
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F
Gala Ice Cream Bar
The best kai bar in town with outside seating on the waterfront. They serve a decent chicken and chips and three flavours of ice cream.
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G
Kreer market
There are several other markets around Wewak, of which Kreer market, on the airport road just before it turns inland, is the most interesting.
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tennis
The tennis club on Wewak hill is seldom manned. Bring your own racquet and if anyone shows up, blame it on this guide (and sort out the fee).
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H
Christian Bookshop
The Christian Bookshop sells the 1:500000 East Sepik and Sandaun Provinces detailing the Sepik in all its coiled, twisted glory.
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Nuigo market
There is also Nuigo market which sells buai, pitpit and sometimes woven pandanus satchels.
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Dagua market
There is also Dagua market which sells buai, pitpit and sometimes woven pandanus satchels.
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golf
There's an 18-hole golf course beyond the airport. It has a pleasant clubhouse for its 52 members.
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K
Chambri market
Chambri market on Boram Rd sells buai (betel nut) and a few artefacts.
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The Cocoa Café
The Cocoa Café is reasonably priced.
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