Wicketkeeper Wade made a fine 106, hitting 10 fours and three sixes in his 146-ball knock, to help the tourists, who had resumed on 212-7, fight back.
The left-hander owed a great debt of thanks to Ben Hilfenhaus, however, as the pair put on a crucial 102-run stand. Their efforts helped Australia reach 328 before they were finally bowled out.
West Indies struggled in reply, creeping along to 165-8 by the close of day two, meaning they still trail by 163 in a match they have to win to split the three-match series.
Match-winning knock
Perhaps spurred on by skipper Michael Clarke's pre-match comments that the absent Brad Haddin is still first choice behind the stumps, Wade showed off his abilities with the bat with what could prove to be a match-winning knock.
However, it could have been so different had Kemar Roach not spilled a return catch in his third over of the morning when he had yet to add to his overnight score.
Mitchell Starc (35) had kept Wade company through to stumps on day one but the pair could add only a further 14 runs before a wicket fell in careless circumstances.
Starc was caught short of his ground jogging for a comfortable third run, the tail-ender foolishly choosing not to attempt to slide his bat in believing the throw was going to the other end.
Still, Wade found another able ally in Hilfenhaus, allowing the former to put his foot down and go on the attack; he hit two maximums in one Shane Shillingford over to race towards three figures.
The spinner did have his revenge when he had the centurion superbly caught in the deep by Darren Bravo, giving the local boy a five-wicket haul.
He actually ended up with Test-best final figures of 6-119, bowling Hilfenhaus for 19 to wrap up the Australian innings on the stroke of lunch.
West Indies suffered a poor start to the afternoon session when opener Kraigg Brathwaite went for a duck, though Adrian Barath (29) and Kieran Powell (40) combined to put on 63 for the second wicket.
Lyon, though, removed both, while in between Bravo was out for 10 after getting a big inside edge on to the pads from a David Warner delivery.
Ryan Harris dismissed Narsingh Deonarine for seven and when Darren Sammy, who was needlessly run out for 10, and Shillingford fell in successive deliveries during a Starc over, West Indies were reeling at 120-8.
Just like Australia the night before, the home team fought back late on, Ravi Rampaul making a speedy 24 not out with Shivnarine Chanderpaul unbeaten on 34. They will need plenty more of the same, however, on Wednesday morning if they are to remain competitive in the contest. At least Wade has shown them what can be done.
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