World War 2

Tourists from cruise ships traveling into Alotau will experience an aerial view of the township and outer islands following the launch of the chopper service recently.

The chopper service is operated by HeliScope PNG and will offer three different tours for tourists.

This service provides a 12-minute tour, 25-minute tour and a 40-minute tour towards East Cape, showing cruise line guests the beautiful scenery of the province.

Kulang said this is an exciting addition to what Alotau can provide for tourism in PNG.

There are about 20 villages along the 220 km trail that runs from Gabagaba in Central Province, across the rugged Owen Stanley Range to the north side of the Peninsula in Northern Province. 

The villages include Arapara, Jaure, Natunga, Kovio, Laruni, Nepeana, Barumbila and Bofu.

Experienced trekker Peter Gamgee said the trail, used during World War 2, now provides opportunities for the locals after it was recently rediscovered.

Gamgee had mapped out the trail in 2011 when he was one of the first to complete the track alongside his son.

The track was used by American soldiers during World War 2 in 1942 under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during a battle to defeat the Japanese on the northern beaches.

The trekkers commenced the 220km journey at Gabagaba Village, Central Province and will across the rugged Owen Stanley Range to the north side of the Peninsula in Northern Province.

Kapa Kapa Trail runs roughly parallel and 30 miles southeast of the famous Kokoda Track.

The group will also visit the Buna area where the Battle of Buna–Gona took place during WW11.

The 220km journey will commence at Gabagaba Village in Central Province today (October 4).

The Kapa Kapa War Trail starts at Gabagaba across the extremely rugged Owen Stanley Range, to the vicinity of Jaure on the north side of the Peninsula in Northern Province.

The track was used by American soldiers during WWII in 1942 under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. This was during a battle to defeat the Japanese on the northern beaches.

The mountainous trail is steep and runs parallel to the more well-known and more accessible 96-kilometre long Kokoda Track.