Overview
Alotau is the provincial capital of Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.
Understand
Far from the violence of PNG's capital, Port Moresby, it is no surprise that this laid-back little town to the east of PNG has resisted construction of a highway from the nation's capital. A relaxed and easy-going place on the edge of Milne Bay, Alotau is also a gateway to some of the most fascinating and unspoilt islands in the world.
Get in
By plane Alotau's airport is called Gurney, named after a World War II fighter pilot.
Air Niugini has daily flights from the nation's capital, Port Moresby. Airlines PNG has daily flights from Lae and Port Moresby, and also connects Alotau twice-weekly with the Trobriand Islands and with Misima.
By boat By coastal freighter. It may be possible to reach Alotau from Port Moresby or Lae by cargo freighter. There is no passenger-only shipping. Ask around at Port Moresby or Lae harbors, and be prepared for a long wait!
Get around
Walk!. Alotau is not very large and the people are very friendly, so walking will give you a good chance to meet them. The local word for foreigner is DimDim, so if you hear children calling that after you it does not mean they think you are stupid!
See
. You can get on a dinghy and see the islands.
Do
Diving. The diving is reportedly fantastic but Alotau gets few visitors and the one dive shop has closed down for lack of customers.
Eat
Well, chew to be precise. The people of Alotau and Milne Bay province are major consumers of the betel nut, chewed in a mixture with lime. When expectorated, it leaves red marks all over the ground. It may give you a slight high, and it is addictive, carcinogenic and can cause cardiovascular diseases.
There is good fresh food most of the week, except Saturday afternoon and Sunday at the Alotau market in town toward the water. Great bananas, sweet potatoes, yams, greens, green beans and all sorts of seafood, including crabs.
Grocery stores often have in-store fast food and there is a really good value restaurant in town as well, something like the Kai House.
Sleep
Alotau International Hotel. 22 rooms with panoramic views of the Bay.
Driftwood Resort. Seven bungalows on the edge of the Bay a few minutes from Alotau.
Bibiko Farm. Bungalow village accommodation. Live with the Mataios, a lovely family. Food included, many tours of Milne Bay Province available on request.
Napatana Ecotourism Lodge. Five bungalows and some twin "Flashpacker" rooms, close to the Bay
Masurino Lodge. Run by a family descended from a 19th-century English missionary, the Lodge offers 24 Standard Rooms and 12 Executive Rooms, as well as some family units.
Ulumani - Treetops Rainforest lodge. Owned and operated by the traditional landowners of the area. Includes comfortable units and a dormitory for backpackers. In the heart of the rainforest on the Southern arm of Milne Bay, about one hour's drive from Alotau.
Doini Island Plantation resort. 1100 hectares of coconut palms and rainforest, surrounded by white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, with a nine-hole golf course. Bungalows are right on the sea, and there is a shared guest house that provides inexpensive accommodation.
Sleep
Alotau International Hotel. 22 rooms with panoramic views of the bay. Wheelchair friendly.
Bibiko Farm. Bungalow village accommodation. Live with the Mataios, a lovely family. Food included, many tours of Milne Bay Province available on request.
Doini Island Plantation resort. 1100 hectares of coconut palms and rainforest, surrounded by white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, with a nine-hole golf course. Bungalows are right on the sea, and there is a shared guest house that provides inexpensive accommodation.
Masurino Lodge. Run by a family descended from a 19th Century English missionary, the Lodge offers 24 Standard Rooms and 12 Executive Rooms, as well as some family units.
Napatana Ecotourism Lodge. Five bungalows and some twin "Flashpacker" rooms, close to the Bay
Saugere Guest House. This guest house, located next to a missionary establishment, is quiet, clean, and has friendly staff. Self catering kitchen, or you can ask for prepared meals.
Ulumani - Treetops Rainforest lodge. Owned and operated by the traditional landowners of the area. Includes comfortable units and a dormitory for backpackers. In the heart of the rainforest on the Southern arm of Milne Bay, about one hour's drive from Alotau.
Four traditional bush material bungalows and a restaurant set on poles over a tidal inlet. Located on Logeia Island, 10 minutes from Samarai Island or about one and a half hours from Alotau by dinghy. K250 per night, max 2 adults per bungalow. -->
Make Alotau your own.
Before committing, pick one main reason for this visit and two nearby experiences that support it. Check the guide’s transport sections against current operator information. A convenient base can save more time than adding another attraction.
- Choose your arrival point and one base. Write down the real transfer time, not just the map distance.
- Build a first-day plan with room to settle in. Cluster the places you want to see rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
- Use actual accommodation and transport quotes in your budget. Add fees to the quote before comparing it.
- Keep one uncommitted block. Weather, energy and a good local recommendation can all change your plan.
Source transparency
This guide adapts licensed text by Wikivoyage contributors. It is not a claim that Lakhou has visited or independently verified every listing. We converted the source to plain text, selected practical sections and removed price sentences and private contact information. The planning framework and any related-business booking recommendations above are Lakhou editorial additions.
Original revision 5323295 · Contributor history · CC BY-SA 4.0. Reused text and adaptations on this page are available under that license. Source revision date: 2026-08-05. This is not a date of field verification.
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