Welcome to Kokoda Historical, where we bring Australian military history to life. Owned by David Howell & Peter Ryan, we are passionate about history and the great outdoors. Join us on an unforgettable adventure to Papua New Guinea, home to pristine landscapes and significant historical sites.

Specialising in small-group historical tours, we offer immersive experiences on the First and Second World War battlefields and culturally significant places in Papua New Guinea. Since 2005, we have successfully guided treks and tours along the Kokoda Track, Black Cat Track, Shaggy Ridge, Lark Force Track, Milne Bay, Wewak, and Aitape. Don't just take our word for it – read testimonials from our satisfied customers in the Client Testimonials section.

At Kokoda Historical, we provide a complete living history experience. Our tour packages are competitively priced, and your safety is our top priority. With our knowledgeable guides and meticulous research, we offer unique and personalized pilgrimages. Our tour groups are small, allowing us to provide a personal touch to every client. When you contact Kokoda Historical, you speak directly to the owner.

We take pride in our contributions to the community. In 2007, we pioneered the Kokoda Dreaming project, taking a group of young Aboriginal students on a symbolic trek along the Kokoda Track. This initiative was part of the Kokoda Dreaming project and this trek featured on the ABC show, Message Stick. A thirty minute episode entitled 'Going the Distance' followed the group of Aboriginal students on our trek. Click the link to read more about this: Kokoda Historical Message Stick

Since 2008, we have been conducting the annual Harold Bould Memorial Tour, an initiative of the 39th Battalion Association. The Association organises an annual competition inviting students from across the Cardinia Shire in Victoria to submit an essay outlining what Kokoda means to Australians. With the assistance of organisations such as the Cardinia Shire Council, Pakenham and Parklea Racing Club and The Hon. Edward O'Donohue MLC, we have taken many young students on the adventure of a lifetime. Each June, the winners get to experience the adventure and history of the Kokoda Track.

In 2010, Kokoda Historical successfully merged with the well-known Komplete Kokoda. Soc Kienzle, the son of the notable Captain Bert Kienzle who played a significant role in the Kokoda campaign, managed the company. Although Soc has retired from full-time trekking, he has imparted many of his father's anecdotes to David Howell during their time together at key locations in the Oro Province.

In 2012, the 70th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign, Kokoda Historical were approved by the Australian Defence Force as a supplier for Adventure Training. In the same year we took the 39th Personnel Support Battalion over the Kokoda Track. This current Australian Army Unit (now 39th Operational Support Battalion) walked in the footsteps of those who served in the now famous militia unit, the 39 Australian Infantry Battalion.

In 2014, we led an expedition to Rabaul which located the site of the German Wireless Station. On 11 September 2014, on the occasion of the centenary of the action at Bita Paka, we took many of the descendants to Rabaul including Simon Pockley the great-nephew of Captain Pockley, the first Australian soldier lost in the Great War.

In 2015, for the centenary of Anzac we lead a group of soldiers from contemporary conflicts over the Kokoda Track. The project was supported by Soldier On and brought attention to those in our community suffering from PTSD. Among the participants was Senator Jacqui Lambie, veterans Michael Lyddiard & Mathew Peppi.

In 2017, the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign, we were involved with brining Havala Laula, the last known Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel on the Kokoda Track to Australia. We also ran a special trip recreating the first crossing of Kokoda by B Company 39 Australian Infantry Battalion which was led by Captain Sam Templeton. We also had the honour of taking the cousin of the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Mrs Madeline Huxtable, to visit the last resting place of her father, Flight Sargent Bill Cosgrave. Sir Peter and Madeline attended the Anzac Day commemorations at Bomana.

In 2022, we took the Commanding Officer and the soldiers of 39 Operational Support Battalion (the modern day 30th Battalion) over the Kokoda Track to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Kokoda.

In 2024, we led the Australian Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese, the PNG Prime Minister the Hon James Marape, and the PNG Oro Province Governor the Hon Gary Juffa along Kokoda to the Isurava Battlefield site for the Anzac day memorial trek and official dawn service – a great honour to have the two serving Prime Ministers from both countries led by Kokoda Historical.

In 2023, Kokoda Historical merged with Wild Trek Tours – Peter Ryan had been operating tours to Kokoda for many years, along with other PNG destinations similar to Kokoda Historical, plus added tours in Tasmanian and Victoria. The merge of the two companies gave us more experience and more tour options for trekkers. We will soon add more tours to our web site – in the mean time – look for tours in Tasmania and Victoria on the Wild Trek Tours website – www.wildtrektours.com.au

In recent times David Howell has published his book Kokoda Legend-Captain Sam Templeton – available in our “shop” on this web site.

We look forwarded to taking you on your next adventure.