"Wewak" was laid down by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland on 21 March 1972, launched on 19 May 1972, and commissioned into the RAN on 10 August 1973.Following the destruction of Darwin by Cyclone Tracy during the night of 24–25 December 1974, "Wewak" was deployed as part of the relief effort; Operation Navy Help Darwin.