The 96-kilometre Kokoda Track, linking the southern and northern coast of Papua New Guinea, was the location of intense fighting between the Australian and Japanese armies during World War II. Passing through beautiful, rugged rainforest and mountain country, the Kokoda Track remains a reminder of the relationship forged between Australian and the local Papua New Guineans - Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels - during the battle to hold Kokoda.
In mid-1942, north Papua was the Pacific frontier that the Japanese wanted to penetrate, with a view to taking Port Moresby. For seven long months, Japanese and Australian forces (assisted by Papuan locals) were locked in a massive struggle for control. The unique geography of the Kokoda Track made victory difficult to achieve for either side, and the Japanese retreat eventually came, but not without a price. Countless lives were lost on the Kokoda Track. Review Follow the links below for more detailed information about the history of the Kokoda Track and the battles that saved Australia:
