Introduction
Town in Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaAlotauTownMilne Bay, AlotauAlotauLocation within Papua New GuineaCoordinates: 10°19′S 150°26′E / 10.317°S 150.433°E / -10.317; 150.433CountryPapua New GuineaProvinceMilne Bay ProvinceDistrictAlotau DistrictLLGAlotau Urban LLGElevation6 m (20 ft)Population (2024) • Total149,806 • Rank10thLanguages • Main languagesTawala, English, Suau,Time zoneUTC+10:00 (PGT)Postcode211Location365 km (227 mi) ESE of Port MoresbyAnnual rainfall3,108 mm (122.4 in)ClimateAf Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay Province, in the far south-east of Papua New Guinea, on the tip of the Papuan Peninsula. It is located on the northern shore of Milne Bay and the township is conveniently situated within the Alotau Urban LLG. Being the capital of the Province, Alotau Town is renowned for hosting revered cultural events such as the National Kenu and Kundu Festival and Huhu War Canoe Festival, boasting some of the Province's cultural heritage and traditional practices[citation needed]. The vibrant streets of the town come alive with an array of different cultures, with each group celebrating their traditions with displays of dancing, singing, music and craftsmanship. The Kenu and Kundu Festival is a celebration of the traditional dug-out canoes of all varieties & the wooden drums and kundu bands used in ceremonies, while the Huhu War Canoe Festival pays homage to the region’s ancient warrior culture. During both festivals, locals dress in unique ceremonial costumes and showcase their skills on their respective instruments. Visitors to Alotau Town can experience a unique blend of cultural practices and witness age-old customs that have been passed down through generations.[citation needed] The Province's Main Sea Port (Wharf) facility run by PNG Ports Corporation Ltd, is conveniently located within the township and allows for smooth Tourist transits accommodating the likes of P&O and other major tourist vessels that run scheduled visits through the Province. This much welcomed visits usually affords many of the township's local SME's, Operators and Crafts-folk to capitalise on.[citation needed] Its Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alotau–Sideia. 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, when it was shifted from Samarai.