Alotau is a sleepy little town built on the hillsides of the northern shore of Milne Bay. It became the provincial capital in 1968 when administrators were moved from overcrowded Samarai Island.
Alotau and the coastal strip either side played a pivotal role in the WWII Battle of Milne Bay and there are several memorials and relics here. The town’s sights might soak up some time, but the real attractions lie beyond Alotau, amid the beautifully set capes, coves and islands of Milne Bay.