Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
War memorial · Wewak, East Sepik
Cape Wom
Peninsula west of Wewak where the Japanese army in New Guinea surrendered to Australian troops on 13 September 1945, now a memorial park with monument, remnants of the airstrip and tunnels.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Cape Wom
Cape Wom is a peninsula west of Wewak town centre, on the site of a small pre‑war airstrip. There, on 13 September 1945, General Hatazo Adachi, commander of the 18th Japanese Army, signed the surrender of Japanese forces in New Guinea and handed over his sword in front of about 3,000 soldiers of the Australian 6th Division.
The site is now the Cape Wom Memorial Park. A pyramid‑shaped monument with a central plaque commemorates the surrender. Nearby is a two‑storey bunker with a tower and, on the beach, the remains of a concrete gun emplacement, worn by the sea.
Behind the memorial, Japanese tunnels interconnect across the slope; some have partially collapsed or been filled by sand. The peninsula also offers views over the sea and Wewak’s coastline.
The visit is short and is usually done during the day in Wewak, before or after the trip along the Sepik River.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
In the morning, before the heat becomes stronger.
How to get there
It lies west of Wewak town centre, by road. Go with accommodation transport or on a town tour.
Tip
Do not enter the tunnels without a guide: some have partially collapsed. Bring water and a hat.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cape Wom
What happened at Cape Wom?
On 13 September 1945, General Hatazo Adachi signed the surrender of Japanese forces in New Guinea there, in front of about 3,000 Australian soldiers.
Where is Cape Wom?
On a peninsula west of Wewak town centre, in East Sepik.
What to see at Cape Wom?
The surrender monument, a two‑storey bunker, the remains of a gun emplacement on the beach and Japanese tunnels in the slope.