4 Day Bougainville Experience POA
Kokoda Historical wants you to get excited about Australian history! We aim to bring to life the many numbers of ordinary people that became extraordinary heroes of our proud nation. That is why we don't simply trek Kokoda. We visit all the major battlefields in both Papua & New Guinea.
The United States landed their forces on western Bougainville in November of 1943. They were joined by forces from Fiji & New Zealand. The United States constructed airfields and supply depots to support operations beyond Bougainville. The overall strategy was to leave the area in Japanese control, whilst the US continued island hoping north.
By 1944 the US handed the Torokina base to Australia. Back
home the political will in combination with the military capability
meant that our forces would go on the offensive. The Japanese occupied three
main positions including a concentrated force at Buina on the very southern tip of
Bougainville. Another force was located over the mountains via the Numa Numa track
to Torokina. The Australians under the command of General Stan Savige were in for a tough fight. In all 500 Australians lost their lives and over 1500 were wounded.
Why not visit the significant battlefield of Bougainville. Perhaps at the end of your Kokoda trek or as an addition to one of our non-trekking tours. The Australian Campaign on Bougainville went from November 1944 until the Japanese surrendered on the island August 1945.
The Autonomous Region Of Bougainville (Zane Wilson)
Itinerary
Day 1: This morning you will fly to Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Your guide and resident historian, Zhon Bosco will pick you up at the airport for a forty five (45) minute drive to Arawa. Here you will check in at Gold Dust Inn. After lunch you Zhon will take you for a drive around the town and visiting many of the local points of interest. It will be an early and to bed this evening as we have a 5.30am start tomorrow.
(B, L, D)
Day 2: Early morning after breakfast take a vehicle and travel for three hours on the unpaved road to Buin South Bougainville to visit the site of Yamamoto’s crash site. From here the vehicle will drops us off at the village we’ll walk approximately 2 hours through the jungle before reaching the plane wreck. Returning back to the vehicle we will then drive to Buin town and drive towards Kangu Beach to see the Japanese bunkers and gun emplacements. We will also look out across to the Solomon Islands. We will then return back to the Gold Dust Inn. Lunch will be provided by the hotel so be sure to take this with you from the dining room at breakfast.
(B, L, D)
Day 3: After Breakfast we will drive to Marau beach roughly two hours, before we take a boat ride to Torokina and visit the sites where the Allied Forces were based during the Second World War. We will also visit the remnants of the bomb-out houses alogn with many other relcis left over form the war. After sightseeing around Torokina and Piva will take a boat back to Marau beach and drive back to Arawa and to the Gold Dust Inn.
(B, L, D)
Day 4: Sadly after breakfast our Bougainville extension comes to an end. We will return to Buka airport for our flight back to Port Moresby and on to either your trek/tour or return to Australia.
Inclusions
- All airport transfers
- Return flights from Port Moresby
- 3 nights twin share accommodation the Gold Dust Inn
- All meals as indicated on the itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch. D=Dinner
- History guide & local staff
- Boat & vehicle transport
Exclusions
- Extra meals*, drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Additional fresh local fruit and vegetables can be purchased along the way
- Personal travel insurance
Optional Extras
- Single Supplement Hotel Accommodation
- Personal Travel Insurance
- International Airfare
