Damawewe

Bat Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Milne Bay, Alotau, Yane Yanene village. Most south-eastern tip of PNG, 300 km east of Port Moresby.
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Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	none
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Address:	Milne Bay Tourism, Masurina Business Centre (Ground Floor), PO Box 337, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, Tel: 675-6411503, Fax: 675-6410132. E-mail: Milne Bay Magic Tours, PO Box 615, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, Tel: 675-6410711, Fax: 675-6410712. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Damawewe or Bat Cave is home to a huge bat colony, nine different species of bats were found here. But there are also other interesting troglobites living in the cave, feeding on the bat guano, e.g. several kinds of spiders and cockroaches. During World War II the villagers of nearby town Yane Yanene used this cave as a shelter.

This cave is not developed, but rather easy to visit. It is part of an ecotourism trip of Milne Bay Tourism. The half day trip takes three hours and includes an escorted vehicle ride, trekking and the cave trekking tour. Medium physical fitness, good shoes and old clothes are recommended.