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Voykit pocket guide · Papua New Guinea
Wewak
Spend 2 days in Wewak to see WWII sites and prep for Sepik River trips; longer only if island hopping.
Wewak is the provincial capital of East Sepik, the main gateway to the Sepik River and WWII heritage. Flights connect it to Port Moresby, Lae and Madang; local hotels are modest. Two days cover the war memorial, a short boat trip to nearby islands and a day to arrange river tours.
- Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Best months
- Jun–Nov
- Avoid
- Feb–May (possible flood‑season road closures)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PGK
- Money
- Currency is the kina (PGK, K). Cards work at larger hotels and some shops in towns; everywhere else is cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget K150–250 excl. bed · Mid K250–400 excl. bed · High K400+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Digicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns. Buy a SIM in Port Moresby with your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 110
- Plugs
- Types I · 240 V · 50 Hz · Same angled flat pins as Australia; bring a power bank, since lodges run generators for set hours.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and hotels: Not expected.; Guides and drivers: K50–100 a day as thanks if service was good (2026 estimate).; Kokoda porters: Operators set a tip pool; also give gear you no longer need, as many trekkers do.; Villages: Pay agreed custom fees rather than tipping individuals.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap. Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water; lodges supply rainwater that should be treated.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks. Carry paper and hand gel.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | K15–30 |
| Meal at a guest house restaurant | K30–70 |
| Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km)) | K20–35 |
| Boat charter (hour) | K80–150 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- WWK · Wewak Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Port Moresby → Wewak (Air Niugini)
- about K550 one‑way, 1 h 30 min (check)
- Wewak town taxi (5 km)
- K20–35
- Boat to Mushu Island
- K120 round‑trip (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Limited public transport; arrange taxis or boat hires from hotels. Boats to nearby islands run on‑demand; road trips may be delayed in flood season.
See and do
Known for
- WWII surrender site
- Cape Wom war memorial
- Gateway to Sepik River
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Wom war memorial | Taxi or walk from town centre, about 10 min | 15 min |
| Mushu Island | Boat from Wewak harbour, 30–45 min | 1 h |
| Angoram village (Sepik River) | Road to river landing, ~2 h, then boat 30 min | 3 h |
Sleep
- In Wewak Boutique Hotel
- K215–500 per room; central town, basic amenities.
- Yakapu Guest House
- Beachside on Yuo Island; double/family rooms, mosquito nets.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good morning | Gude / Moninggoo-deh / moh-ning |
| Thank you | Tenkyuten-kyoo |
| How much? | Hamas?ha-mas |
| Where is …? | We … i stap?we … ee stap |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Shake hands lightly; greet everyone in a group; avoid: Crushing handshakes or ignoring elders
- Village visit: Arrive with your guide, meet the leaders first, bring a small gift if advised; avoid: Walking into gardens or houses uninvited
- Money and gifts: Pay agreed fees to the right person; avoid: Handing out money or sweets to children
- Anger: Stay calm and let your guide negotiate; avoid: Shouting; public shame can escalate quickly
- Sunday: Expect church and quiet; join a service if invited; avoid: Noisy activities near villages
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; a laplap (sarong) works; avoid: Swimwear or short shorts in villages
Scams and watch-outs
- Flight schedules can change; confirm before travel (Air Niugini, PNG Air).
- Sea vessel timetables (Lutheran Shipping, Rabaul Shipping) are irregular; expect waiting days.
- During flood season river crossings may be impassable; check local reports.
Generally safe for day visitors; stay in reputable hotels, avoid night travel on unpaved roads, and keep valuables secured.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Wewak yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- WWII surrender site
- Cape Wom war memorial
- Gateway to Sepik River
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- PNG Air: pngair.com.pg/
- Lutheran Shipping schedule: www.lutheranshipping.com/
- Rabaul Shipping: www.rabaulshipping.com/
- Wikivoyage: Wewak, revision 5115920 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5115920
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/wewak). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.