Wau is a city in the Morobe province of Papua New Guinea.
Wau is at an altitude of around 1,100m. Together with nearby Bulolo, it was the site of a Gold Rush during the 1920s and 1930s. During the Pacific War, the Battle of Wau, in January 1943, was where the Australian Army stopped an advance by the Japanese. While most of the gold has been extracted, industrial gold mining continues at two locations and locals continue to pan for gold.
Wau is connected by road to Papua New Guinea's second largest city, Lae. As of 2017 PMVs will load in downtown Lae and run to Wau and Bulolo. Very cheap and safe. About five hours counting multiple stops along the way to Wau. PMVs load in Wau for return trips early morning and pick up passengers in Lae in afternoon for return.
As of 2017 the is one flight a week to Wau from Lae with North Coast Aviation flying an Islander aircraft. No connecting flights to Moresby
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Both trails as of 2017 are no longer used for trekking. However a single group or solo can still inquire and hire local guides but use extreme caution,
There is a large open air market where locals come to buy and sell local produce and products. Also two more modern general stores with goods and supplies.
There are no established eating facilities
The general store have drinks and a couple of small open air shacks supply a source
There is a building called the Wau Motel but from the outside looks very old and dilapidated.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division