‘Just a day’s travel from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and you can be on the Kokoda Trail.

‘At the foot of the Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua New Guinea you can look into the ancient landscape – majestic peaceful wilderness, nature in its full glory. There have been tracks across the mountains for thousands of years – the people who inhabit the region were gardening at the same time agriculture was developing in Ancient Egypt. The strength of natural and cultural heritage is beyond simple words; fascinating, awesome, daunting – world class.’

Yet the battles of 1942, and the contemporary interest in Kokoda, are what have made it Papua New Guinea’s No.1 tourist attraction. In 1942 it was Australians and Papua New Guineans fighting Japanese for what was then Australian land. Young men in a bloody struggle for ‘their land’. The battle has become folklore in Australia – a place of pilgrimage like Gallipoli, Villers-Bretonneux, Sandakan, Passchendaele.*

From a marketing viewpoint, the name ‘Kokoda’ now shares equal billing with ‘Anzac’ and ‘Gallipoli’ in Australia.

Imagine . . .

Imagine . . .

Beating-the-Retreat Service at the commemorative centre
A school groups laying a wreath at the Kokoda Memorial Walkway in Sydney on Kokoda Day – imagine a cenotaph (empty tomb) dedicated to the memory of the fuzzy wuzzy angels as the centrepiece at Owers Corner.
Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, Sydney: Commemoration area with artificial stream representing Eora Creek – imagine Koiari sentries in traditional dress acting as a Catafalque Party’ to guard the cenotaph on ceremonial occasions.

Imagine . . .

Theatre with a brilliant ‘Virtual Reality’ experience of the Kokoda campaign at the Kokoda Memorial Walkway in Sydney
‘Kokoda Cafe’ at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, Sydney
Outdoor area of the Kokoda Cafe – Community Barbeque Area in backgound

Plus . . .

Owers Corner today . . .

Inappropriate sign used by the Aid-funded ‘Kokoda Initiative’ to advertise itself – has no relevance to ‘tourism’ at the site!
Owers Corner: End of road from Port Moresby via Sogeri
Owers Corner Ranger Station: Build straight off Public Works standard plans with no thought for traditional aesthetics
Aerial View of Owers Corner
No shelter for trek groups or visitors
No sheltered areas for trek groups to sort gear