Major city · Papua New Guinea
Wau
Spend 2–3 days for the market, Wau Motel and a short visit to the Ecology Institute; longer only if you trek the Black Cat trail (4‑5 days).
Wau sits at 1,100 m in Morobe province, historic gold‑rush town with WWII sites. Road links to Lae take about five hours; a weekly Lae‑Wau flight exists. Services are basic, so a short stay covers the market, motel and Ecology Institute; trekking requires extra days and preparation.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PGK
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season, check local conditions)
- avoid Nov–Apr (rainy season, road may be harder)
- Airport
- LAE
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Melanesia ↗Malaria is present in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and parts of Vanuatu (not Fiji or New Caledonia): ask a travel clinic about tablets before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Every visitor needs a visa (an online e-visa, or a visa on arrival for a short list of passports) and must file the free Digital Arrival Card before landing: check the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority for your passport before booking.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Some governments advise against travel to parts of the Highlands provinces because of tribal fighting; check your own government's current advice before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Almost all land is customary: ask permission before walking, swimming or photographing, and expect to pay fees to landowners.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Wau112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Wau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the kina (PGK, K).Papua New Guinea-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Papua New Guinea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and hotels: Not expected.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Papua New Guinea-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe in town during daylight; remote trekking areas have unexploded ordnance and limited medical help – use extreme caution.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 111 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and for several days around Independence Day; many shops close Sunday afternoon; lodges may close in the wet season.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLAE Lae Nadzab Airport (Main gateway to Morobe Province; weekly flight to Wau).
- Getting aroundRoad: PMV buses from Lae (≈5 h, multiple stops).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAE Lae Nadzab Airport (Main gateway to Morobe Province; weekly flight to Wau)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Wau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Road: PMV buses from Lae (≈5 h, multiple stops). Air: one weekly North Coast Aviation flight from Lae (Island aircraft). Within town walk or hire a local guide for trekking.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Black Cat Trail (Wau → Salamaua)
cautionDoor to door: 4–5 days trek, includes river rafting to Salamaua
Hire local guide; start from Wau, walk 8‑9 h daily, 4–5 days total
Only for fit travellers; arrange guide and supplies in advance.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Wau Motel
Basic rooms, appears dilapidated; book ahead if possible.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- PGK 30–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- PGK 45–70 excl. bed
- High
- PGK 70+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel basic room2 × 2 nights × PGK 25 | PGK 100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PGK 45 | PGK 180 |
| PMV Lae ↔ Wau round trip2 × PGK 25 | PGK 50 |
| Weekly flight Lae → Wau (one way)2 × PGK 150 | PGK 300 |
| Guide for Black Cat trail (5‑day trek)1 × PGK 350 | PGK 350 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PGK 147 |
| Trip total≈ PGK 282 per person per day, bed included | PGK 1,127 |
Check availability; may be older facilities.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Watch out
Safety
- Trekking the Black Cat trail is physically demanding (8‑9 h walking per day) and involves live munitions and remote village stays.
- Limited food and medical facilities; carry supplies and a first‑aid kit.
- No regular restaurants; rely on market stalls or small shacks for drinks.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 111
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
WauWau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Plis bringim i go long dispela adresTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance111
- Fire110
Embassy
US consular services are in Port Moresby; ask your lodge for the nearest contact.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PMV Lae → Wau: about PGK 20 per person, 5 h (check schedule)
- Flight Lae → Wau: about PGK 120 one‑way, weekly (check availability)
Say or show
- Gutpela de — Hello (goo-tpeh de)
- Hau hamamas? — How much? (how ha-mah-mas)
- Maket i stap we? — Where is the market? (mah-ket i stap we)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Wau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (dry season, check local conditions) · avoid Nov–Apr (rainy season, road may be harder) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Arrange PMV or flight from Lae via local operator.
- Secure accommodation at Wau Motel before arrival.
- If trekking, book guide through Wau Ecology Institute or local agency.
Sources
Ask about Wau
Loading…
Was this useful?