Alotau

Alotau Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea
Milne Bay, Alotau
Alotau
District:	Alotau District
LLG:	Alotau Urban
Coordinates:	10°19′S 150°26′E / 10.317°S 150.433°E / -10.317; 150.433Coordinates: 10°19′S 150°26′E / 10.317°S 150.433°E / -10.317; 150.433
Population:	10,025 (2000) (15th)
Main languages:	Tawala, English, Suau, Tok Pisin
Elevation:	6 m (20 ft)
Postcode:	211
Location:	365 km (227 mi) ESE of Port Moresby
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Annual Rainfall  ? ? 3,108 mm 122.4 in

Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay Province, a province 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 after it was shifted from Samarai.^[1]

There is a road from Ulumani to Alotau which passes the local Gurney Airport is named after squadron leader Charles Raymond Gurney of the RAAF, who was killed in the area in 1942. The airport is 12 km from the town.

Satellite view of the coast

Alotau is the gateway to the Milne Bay Province which contains some of the most remote island communities in the world. The whole of Milne bay is noted for its coral reef and scuba diving experiences.

Alotau is also the annual forum for Australian and Papua New Guinean ministers

External links

Tourism

• Official Milne Bay Tourism Bureau
• Alotau Accommodation

References

v t e Provincial capitals of Papua New Guinea Alotau (MB) · Arawa or Buka (Bougainville) · Daru (Western) · Goroka (EHP) · Kavieng (NI) · Kerema (Gulf) · Kimbe (WNB) · Kokopo (ENB) · Kundiawa (Simbu) · Lae (Morobe) · Lorengau (Manus) · Madang (Madang) · Mendi (SHP) · Mount Hagen (WHP) · Popondetta (Oro) · Port Moresby (Central/NCD) · Wabag (Enga) · Wewak (ES) · Vanimo (WS)

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