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Wau, Papua New Guinea
Morobe Province · Papua New Guinea
Wau is a small city in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea with a population of 14,629. Elevation: 3,868 ft (1,179 m). Average temperature: 65°F (19°C).
Data updated June 2026
Discover Wau, Papua New Guinea
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About Wau
Wau is a town in Papua New Guinea, in the province of Morobe. It has a population of approx 5,000 and is situated at an altitude of around 1100 metres. Wau was the site of a gold rush during the 1920s and 30s when prospective gold diggers arrived at the coast at Salamaua and struggled inland along the Black Cat Track.
People
Climate
| Population | 14,629 |
| Population Density | 2,961 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 3,868 ft (1,179 m) |
| Coordinates | -7.3420°, 146.7240° |
| Timezone | Pacific/Port_Moresby |
| Country | 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea |
| State / Province | Morobe Province |
| Average Temperature | 65°F (19°C) |
| January Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 96.3 inches (2,447 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
About Wau
Wau is a small city in Papua New Guinea (Morobe Province) with a population of 14,629. The city sits at an elevation of 3,868 feet (1,179 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 65°F (19°C). Temperatures range from 67°F in January to 64°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 96.3 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Port_Moresby.
Climate in Wau
Wau has an average annual temperature of 20.6°C (69°F). The hottest month is Dec (21.5°C), the coldest is Jul (19.8°C). Average annual precipitation is 1803 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 65.4°F |
| 21% above Papua New Guinea avg | |
| January Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 161 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,868 ft (1,179 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,961/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -7.3420°N, 146.7240°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Port_Moresby |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1972 | SOLOMON SEA | Meteorological | 1.5 m | — | 78 km |
| 1913 | SOLOMON SEA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 146 km |
| 1969 | BISMARCK SEA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 85 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67°F (19°C) | 9.5 in | |
| February | 67°F (19°C) | 9.3 in | Warmest |
| March | 66°F (19°C) | 10.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 8.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 7.3 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | Driest |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 5.2 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 8.2 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 9.1 in | |
| November | 66°F (19°C) | 8.7 in | |
| December | 67°F (19°C) | 9.8 in |
Wau has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 64°F in July to 67°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 96.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (10.4") and June the driest (4.8").
Schools in Wau
13 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regina Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Kaisenik Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Samuna Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Nami Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Aiyeti Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Grace Memorial Technical Secondary School | — | — | — | — |
| Wau Primary School Upper Section | — | — | — | — |
| Wau Primary School Lower Section | — | — | — | — |
| Marianhill Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Katherine Lehmann School | — | — | — | — |
| Banisu SDA Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Nemnem Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Nemnem Elementary School | — | — | — | — |
Libraries in Wau
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUC Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Wau
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulolo Market | |||||
| Bulolo Vegetables Market | |||||
| MB Market | |||||
| Wau Market |
Hotels in Wau
2 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Monuments in Wau
1 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Wau
31 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Aro Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Asama Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Aseki Airport | AEK | Small Airport |
| Bapi Airstrip | BPD | Small Airport |
| Biaru Airport | BRP | Small Airport |
| Bulolo Airport | BUL | Small Airport |
| Engati Airstrip | EGA | Small Airport |
| Garaina Airport | GAR | Small Airport |
| Garasa Airport | GRL | Small Airport |
| Habina Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Hawabango Airport | HWA | Small Airport |
| Heiweni Airport | HNI | Small Airport |
| Imane Airport | IMN | Small Airport |
| Kaintiba Airport | KZF | Small Airport |
| Kakoro(Koroko) Airstrip | KOR | Small Airport |
| Kira Airport | KIQ | Small Airport |
| Langimar Airport | LNM | Small Airport |
| Malalaua Airport | MLQ | Small Airport |
| Maralina Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Menyamya Airport | MYX | Small Airport |
| Omora Airport | OSE | Small Airport |
| Sim Airport | SMJ | Small Airport |
| Tawa Airport | TWY | Small Airport |
| Tekadu Airport | TKB | Small Airport |
| Tsewi Airport | TSW | Small Airport |
| Tsile Tsile Airport | TSI | Small Airport |
| Wau Airport | WUG | Small Airport |
| Yasuru Airport | KSX | Small Airport |
| Yegepa Airport | PGE | Small Airport |
| Yeva Airport | YVD | Small Airport |
| Zenag Airport | ZEN | Small Airport |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Wau
12 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Blood Covenant Ministry Church | |
| Crystal Baptist Church | |
| Exodus Lutheran Revival Church | |
| Kosali SDA Church | |
| Redeemer Lutheran Church | |
| St. Francis Catholic Church | |
| Wau Baptist Church | |
| Wau Bethel United Church | |
| Wau Foursquare Gospel Church | |
| Wau SDA Church | |
| Wau Town Baptist Church | |
| Wau Town SDA Church |
Quick Facts
🇵🇬 About Papua New Guinea
Public Holidays in Papua New Guinea
11 public holidays this year
Frequently Asked Questions About Wau
What is the population of Wau?
Wau has a population of 14,629 residents and is located in Papua New Guinea. The population density is 2,961 people per square mile, spread across 4.9 square miles.
What is the weather like in Wau?
Wau enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winter temperatures average 67°F in January, while summers reach an average of 64°F in July. The area receives 161 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 96.3 inches.