Merauke was the first city I visited during my solo trip around Indonesia. On January 1, 2024, exactly at 8AM, I landed at Mopah Airport in Merauke, Papua, in eastern Indonesia. I spent 9 days there, from January 1st to January 9th, 2024. During my stay, I visited several places, including:
1. The Easternmost Point of Indonesia (the border between Merauke, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea)
Visiting Merauke, Papua, isn’t complete without seeing the easternmost point of Indonesia. On my first day in Merauke, I went straight to this spot. I reached it by motorcycle, and the journey from Merauke City to Sotta took about 1.5 hours. The road conditions were fairly good, with only a few damaged sections. However, the road can be quite deserted, so it’s best to return to the city before 6 PM for safety.
There are many photo spots to capture the moment, and you can even chit chat with children from Papua New Guinea through the border fence. Sometimes, they ask for money, so it’s better to bring snacks or some stuff to share with them instead of giving money, to encourage them not to ask visitors for money. I visited this place on New Year’s Day, January 1st. I recommend coming here on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
2. Pokos Honey Cultivation in Yanggandur Village, Merauke
If you’re visiting the easternmost point in Merauke, be sure to stop by the Pokos Honey Cultivation in Yanggandur Village, Merauke, as it’s on the way to Sotta. Here, you can explore a small local business that cultivates honey from a bee species endemic to Southern Papua, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Agnes, the friendly manager, will give you a tour and explain all the products and their benefits. In addition to honey production, they also produce eucalyptus oil, ant nest herbal tea, and more.
3. 1000 Musamus Park
1000 Musamus Park is filled with termite mounds that attract tourists due to their sheer number and towering height, often exceeding that of a human. The park is located in Salor Indah Village, Kurik District. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach this area from the center of Merauke City. When I arrived, I was quite amazed by the place, although it was a bit poorly maintained.
4. Anasai Beach
Anasai Beach in Merauke is located in Naukenjerai District, Merauke Regency, South Papua. This beach is one of the tourist destinations in Merauke, offering beautiful ocean views and a peaceful atmosphere, about a 1.5-hour drive from Merauke City. The beach features light brown sand and brownish water. To reach the beach, you have to pass through Hannasai Village, where you can observe the daily lives of the local people. As I traveled through the village, I felt like I was in Africa, as the houses and atmosphere resembled what I’ve seen on TV about African villages.
5. Time Capsule Monument
The Time Capsule Monument, often referred to as the ‘Avengers Headquarters,’ is located in the center of Merauke City, directly in front of the Merauke Regent’s office and not far from Mopah Airport. When I visited, it was not well maintained, even though the building itself is quite unique. The Time Capsule Monument contains the dreams of Indonesian children from Sabang to Merauke and is set to be opened in 70 years, in 2085.
6. Tablem Lake (Camping Area)
Tablem Lake is perfect for those who want to enjoy a relaxing camping experience. The location is set up for camping and features clean restroom facilities and a prayer room. I spent one night camping here and highly recommend it. Tablem Lake is about a 1 to 1.5-hour drive from Merauke City.
7. One Lamp Beach
Lampu Satu Beach is a popular spot for both tourists and locals because it is located in the city center, about 3 km from downtown Merauke. The beach has dark sand and some mud, but the sunset views at Lampu Satu Beach are stunning. It’s no wonder that many people come here to watch the beautiful sunset, even if the water and sand aren’t the main attractions.
These are some of the places I visited during my time in Merauke. I hope they can be part of your itinerary when you visit Merauke City. Enjoy Merauke!
