Lawas Airport (IATA: LWY, ICAO: WBGW) is a small airport located in Lawas, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Airport Location
The airport is located in Lawas, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Airport Technical Details
Airport | Lawas Airport |
|---|---|
| IATA Code: | LWY |
| ICAO Code: | WBGW |
| Airport type: | Public |
| Owner: | Government of Malaysia |
| Operator: | Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) |
| Serves: | Lawas, Kedah |
| Location: | Lawas, Kedah |
| Time zone: | Malaysia Standard Time (MST), UTC +08:00 |
| Elevation AMSL: | 5 ft (2 m) |
| Coordinates: | 04°50′57″N 115°24′10″E |
| Airline(s): | MASwings |
Runway #1
- Number:
- Length:
- Material:
Flight Schedule (Arrivals)
Flight | Airline | Origin | Arrival | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #N/A |
Flight Schedule (Departures)
Flight | Airline | Departure | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #N/A |
History
x
Nearby places
Nestled in the far-northern tip of Sarawak, Malaysia, Lawas is a frontier town like no other. Tucked between the Temburong district of Brunei and the state of Sabah, Lawas offers a compelling blend of rainforest adventure, cross-border culture and laid-back seaside escapes. For travellers flying into Lawas Airport (LWY), the town is immediately accessible and acts as your base for off-the-beaten-track explorations.
1. Penawan Waterfalls Eco Park (~15 minutes / ~10 km)
One of the easiest and most rewarding nature stops from the airport is the Penawan Waterfalls Eco Park. Travel guides indicate it is “just 15 minutes from Lawas Airport”. Within the park you’ll find a series of gentle waterfalls cascading through lush jungle and a clear plunge pool ideal for a dip. The surrounding greenery and the relatively short drive make it ideal for families or travellers short on time. Bring insect repellent and go early to avoid the midday heat.
2. Punang Beach (~12-16 km / 20-25 minutes)
Want to trade temples for sea breeze? Head over to Punang Beach, located just outside the town of Lawas. It provides a tranquil coastal escape with golden sands and gentle waves. On your way you may also stop by rustic fishing villages like Kampung Punang or Kampung Awat-Awat, where the iconic smoked thahai fish is produced — a local delicacy and flavourful souvenir.
3. Lawas Waterfront & Town Centre (~1-2 km / 5 minutes)
Back in town, the Lawas Waterfront (Tebingan Sungai Lawas) sits on the riverbank in front of Hotel Seri Malaysia. It’s a pleasant spot for an evening stroll or watching local life along the river. Within the town you’ll also find the bustling market area at Pasar Besar Lawas (Central Market) which offers exotic jungle produce, tropical fruits and local snacks. For a cultural stop, don’t miss the Chinese-temple on Jalan Bunga Teratai — a bright reminder of the multi-ethnic heritage of Lawas.
4. Rueb Ugui Waterfall (~30 minutes / ~20-25 km)
For those with a bit more time and a sense of adventure, the Rueb Ugui Waterfall is an inviting option. It’s set around 30 minutes from Lawas town, in the jungle near Kampung Long Ugui. Here you’ll find a clear natural pool framed by forest — ideal for a refreshing break. The track there is relatively easy, but you’ll want to bring water shoes and be cautious if the route is wet.
5. Fishing Villages – Kampung Punang & Kampung Awat-Awat (~10-15 km)
One of the more authentic ways to experience Lawas is by visiting its fishing villages. The villages of Kampung Punang and Kampung Awat-Awat are famed for their production of tahai, a smoked fish delicacy made over mangrove wood-fires. Wooden stilt houses, fishing boats and nets are part of everyday life here. A short detour from the airport let’s you see this home-grown industry and meet friendly locals.
6. Merarap Hot Springs Lodge (~70 km / ~2 hours)
If you’re looking to go further afield and deeper into nature, the Merarap Hot Springs Lodge is a standout. Accessible only by 4×4 vehicles via logging roads, it’s about 70 km from Lawas town and demands a bit of effort — but the reward is worth it. Here you’ll find multiple pools of warm, spring-fed water nestled in jungle valleys. Ideal for an overnight stay, if you have more than a day in Lawas.
7. Long Tuma Ceramic Bead Centre (~20-25 km)
For culture and craftsmanship, visit the Long Tuma Ceramic Bead Centre where the Lun Bawang people create traditional ceramic beads from local clay. Visitors can watch the entire process — shaping, firing, beading — and even purchase handmade jewellery. It’s a meaningful souvenir and supports traditional artisans.
Tips for Travelling & Making the Most of Lawas
- Getting around: Since public transport is limited, especially to remote spots, it’s smart to organise a private driver or rent a vehicle.
- Time of day matters: For waterfall and jungle excursions, go early in the morning to avoid heat, bugs and fading light.
- Pack appropriately: Bring insect repellent, a change of clothes, water-shoes (for river spots), and sunscreen for beach stops.
- Respect local communities: Many attractions are in indigenous or fishing-village areas — a simple greeting and asking permission before photography is appreciated.
- Stay flexible: The remoteness of some destinations (like Merarap) means roads may be rough or weather-dependent.
- Search-friendly keywords: Use phrases like “Lawas Sarawak attractions”, “things to do in Lawas”, “Penawan Waterfalls Lawas”, “Punang Beach Lawas”, “fishing villages Lawas tahai fish” to surface this region in web searches.
Why Lawas Deserves A Spot On Your Borneo Pipeline
Lawas may not boast mega-resorts or crowded tourist hotspots, but therein lies its charm. It is a place of relaxed riverside towns, secret waterfalls, ancestral bead-makers, serene beaches and remote jungle retreats — all within easy reach of the airport. Whether you’ve flown into Lawas Airport and want nature by the hour, or you’re planning a deeper interior adventure, Lawas offers rich value for the curious traveller.
For blog readers looking for travel inspiration, this slice of northern Sarawak gives a little of everything: culture, nature, sea and tranquillity. Whether you spend a half-day exploring market stalls in town or venture for a full-day to the hot springs, you’ll leave with something memorable.
Happy travels — and when you land at Lawas Airport, you’re already at the heart of adventure.
Sources
Additional Links
x
Sources
Listed below are the sources for this article:
- Lawas Airport – Wikipedia
- Lawas Airport – MAHB Website
- eTawau.com – PLACES OF INTEREST in LAWAS TOWN (https://www.etawau.com/Geography/Sarawak/05_Limbang/Lawas.htm)
- RiderChris.com – Places Of Interest In Lawas: Things To Do & Activities (https://riderchris.com/things-to-do-in-lawas/)
- TravelBites.my – 7 Tempat Menarik di Lawas Most Popular & Menakjubkan (https://www.travelbites.my/tempat-menarik-di-lawas/)
- iLoveBorneo.my – 5 Aktiviti Menarik di Lawas Sarawak (https://www.iloveborneo.my/5-aktiviti-menarik-di-lawas-sarawak/)
- BorneoTalk.com – Things to do in Lawas (https://www.borneotalk.com/post/things-to-do-in-lawas)