Below is a curated list of resources, publications, research and other material, ideal for teachers and students to access and read before or after visiting the Walkway, or for those with an interest in the Kokoda campaign.
Please note: if any of the maps are to be used for publication, please note the appropriate acknowledgment of the source.
1. Maps
Map 1: PNG Kokoda Track (commissioned by the KTMW)
Map 2: Kokoda Trail Relief Map (courtesy of Charlie Lynn’s Adventure Kokoda Trek)
Map 3: Wartime map – Kokoda coast (source: Our Spirit Adventures)
Map 4: Wartime map – Templeton’s Crossing (source: Our Spirit Adventures)
Map 5: Wartime map – Nauro to Templeton’s Crossing (source: Our Spirit Adventures)
Map 6: Wartime map – Ilolo to Nauro (source: Our Spirit Adventures)
Map 7: Kokoda Track Plaque/Map (attached to Education Centre. Sculptor: Ross J. Bastiaan, Donor: Charlie Lynn OAM OL)
2. KTMW material
‘Stories from the Plaques’: read fascinating details of individuals and units who served in the New Guinea/Kokoda campaigns, based on plaques in our Memorial Rose Garden.
Details on the 22 Stations at the Walkway
Each Station explains the significant battles or locations in the campaign. The names of Australians KIA at relevant locations are on most Station webpages. Each Station webpage has an audio version of the Station text.
Overview history of Kokoda Track campaign.
3. Publications/Research
i. General:
Australia in the War of 1939 to 1945 Series 1 Army Vol.V South-West Pacific Area – First Year: Kokoda to Wau (1st Edition 1959)
A digitised version of this volume in the Second World War Official Histories (Australian War Memorial [AWM]).
AWM ‘Remembering 1942-2002’ History Conference Papers: High Command and the Kokoda Campaign and Sacking the Generals in Papua.
‘Kokoda 1942 Australians in the Pacific War’
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) commemorative booklet, 2014.
Not Yet Diagnosed: Australian Psychiatric Casualties During the Kokoda Campaign, 1942
Produced by the AWM in 2021, this study focuses on the mental health of Kokoda veterans.
The Track: A historical desktop study of the Kokoda Track
Commissioned by the Australian Government in 2009, this is a comprehensive historical study of the Kokoda Track (AWM).
‘Track’ or ‘Trail’ The Kokoda Debate
A paper from 2010 exploring the debate regarding the name of the Kokoda Track/Trail (Flinders Journal of History and Politics, Vol.26, 2010).
ii. Papuan perspective:
PNG Voices from the War
The oral history collection recording the memories and stories about Papua New Guinean’s during the World War II in PNG and significantly along the Kokoka Track, managed by Deakin University.
The “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels”: looking beyond the myth.
A paper published by the AWM in 2012 which explores the myths around the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.
Villagers at war: some Papua New Guinean experiences in World War II: Neville K. Robinson (ANU, 1981).
Voices from the War: Papua New Guinean Stories of the Kokoda Campaign
A joint publication between the PNG and Australian Governments, 2015.
‘White man’s war’: Dr Seamus Spark (Battle for Australia Assoc. address 15 Feb 2019)
‘War, Race and Loyalty in New Guinea, 1939-1945’: Ken Inglis (The History of Melanesia pp.503-530)
4. Podcasts/Other
‘On Kokoda’ with Dr Karl James: A Dead Prussian Podcast episode (32m.09s)
Kokoda (various podcasts on the 53rd Battalion): The Principles of War
‘Kokoda Campaign 1942 Beyond the Legend‘ with Dr Karl James: True Blue Conversations (1h.13m.50s)
The Kokoda Trail: Australian in New Guinea (YouTube – WW2TV, 2022) Dr Karl James provides an overview of the events leading up to and including the Australian campaign in New Guinea.
The Cove: Australia’s Kokoda Campaign. Two highly informative animated videos on the campaign itself and the ‘delay defence’ techniques used in the campaign.
5. Website resources/other
PNG Remembrance Trail
DVA launched a new site in November 2022, honouring those who served in PNG during World War Two.
The Kokoda Initiative
A partnership between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia, featuring videos and other resources.
Timeline of events in the Kokoda campaign (July 1942 – January 1943): DVA resource.
Kokoda Track Museums
Explore the museums dedicated to the Kokoda Track campaign, administered by the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery.
Kokoda Track stamps from Australia & PNG: variety of postage stamps commemorating the Kokoda Track campaign.
Rising Tide Walking Tour App: an historical walking tour app (developed by the City of Canada Bay) for the 11km walk around the foreshore areas of the Parramatta River, including the KTMW. Other historical local people and places associated with Australia’s efforts in the World War II are included.
Charlie Lynn’s Adventure Kokoda Trek
Charlie Lynn OAM OL is a long-time supporter of the Walkway. His company offers individuals or groups the opportunity to walk the actual Track in PNG.
Please also refer to the Further Reading and Lists page for more useful resources, publications and historical records/images/search engines from many organisations that feature Australian military history records.