Kokoda

Kokoda Initiative Annual Report 2011-2012

Read the second annual report for the Kokoda Initiative

Second Joint Understanding 2010 - 2015

The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Stephen Smith and Papua New Guinea Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, Sam Abal signed the Second Joint Understanding between Papua New Guinea and Australia on the Owen Stanley Ranges, Brown River Catchment and Kokoda Track Region on 8 July 2010. The second Joint Understanding will continue the work being done by the Australian and Papua New Guinean Governments through the Kokoda Initiative on the sustainable development of the Owen Stanley Ranges, Brown River Catchment and Kokoda Track Region and the protection of its special natural, cultural and historic values.

The Kokoda Initiative is delivered through the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Papua New Guinean Department of Environment and Conservation.

Find out more about the Second Joint Understanding
Australia and PNG sign Second Joint Understanding on Kokoda - Media release 8 July 2010

Kokoda Initiative

The Kokoda Track has historical significance for people in Papua New Guinea and Australia and is a powerful symbol of the enduring relationship between the two countries. Increasing numbers of trekkers are experiencing the physically challenging 96-kilometre walk every year, making the Kokoda Track PNG's most popular land-based tourism attraction and an important source of national income.

Find out about the Kokoda Initiative

Kokoda Track Safety Package

The Australian and Papua New Guinean governments are working together to implement a range of safety projects along the Kokoda Track. This includes a major upgrade of the Owers Corner Road, repairs to other local roads and bridges, safety enhancements at airstrips, improvements to radio communications, assessments of health issues and subsidised first aid training.

The two governments have committed $4.9 million in funding for these important infrastructure and safety projects, which will benefit local communities and trekkers.

Find out more about the Kokoda Track Safety Package

"The track" - A historical desktop study of the Kokoda Track

The Track - A historical desktop study of the Kokoda Track was undertaken by Dr Karl James of the Australian War Memorial. The Track was commissioned as a reference document by the Department to assess the wartime routes of the Kokoda Track and to assist the Department's work under the Kokoda Initiative.

The study contains an introduction to the events of the War in the Pacific and how both sides viewed the strategic location of Papua New Guinea in the conflict. It also lists the full Australian and Japanese units engaged in the Kokoda campaign, providing an important historical reference for anyone with an interest in the campaign.

Find out more about the historical desktop study of the Kokoda Track

Kokoda Stakeholder Forum - Sydney 2012

As part of the Kokoda Initiative, Papua New Guinean and Australian governments host an annual stakeholder forum. The events are held in both Papua New Guinea and Australia with the aim of bringing together the many stakeholder groups working to deliver the Kokoda Initiative or with an interest in the program.

The 2012 event was held in Sydney in March, with a further forum planned in Port Moresby for later in the year.

Find out more about the Kokoda Stakeholder Forum - Sydney 2012 including the forum minutes and presentations

Kokoda Education Resource - Department of Veterans' Affairs

The Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs has released an education resource to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign.

Heritage

Grants and funding