Where is Papua New Guinea ?

Papua New Guinea is found just to the north of Australia's Cape Tribulation. The large island of Papua is divided roughly in to two halves. The western half known as 'West Papua' is part of Indonesia. The eastern half is the Papua New Guinea mainland. Carrying on east from the Papua New Guinea mainland are countless islands, reefs and coral attols.

Where is Milne Bay ?

Milne Bay is where Wild PNG operates guided adventures. The main township for the region is Alotau and used as our arrival and departure point in Milne Bay. Milne Bay then extends in an easterly direction from island group to island group taking in some of the worlds most remote and spectacular tropical island scenery.

Alotau

Alotau is a small regional township located at the gateway to the remote islands of Milne Bay and the Louissiade Archipelago even further to the east. The town has a number of trade stores and general hardware supplies and life here revolves around the comings and goings of trade boats and passenger dinghy's in the street front harbour.

The towns general market operates daily in daylight hours and boasts an exotic range of local foods. Just about anything that can be eaten is found here depending on availability and the season. Just walking through the market and spying the goods on sale is an experience in itself.

There is a small internet cafe located here along with a Westpac bank (With ATM) and a Bank Of South Pacific Branch (With ATM). Bank facilities here are not 100% reliable though and we recommend you come with any extra cash you think you'll need. There is also mobile coverage here although it can be difficult to get international roaming depending on your phone company. In 2007, someone stole the batterioes that power the telecom antennae and the town had no phone coverage for over 10 days ! Basically the services of this township are available, but sporadicaly.

A walk along the harbour is also a window into the lives of the local people. Many people arrive here from outer lying islands for trade at the market or to visit clan and friends, but with no where to sleep, a small community squatters camp is set up at the waters edge. It's often the location for impromptue singing and dancing and boats it's own mini-market with simple local takeaway foods available.