Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a memorial walking track located in the suburb of Concord West, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located along the foreshore of shores of Brays Bay on the Parramatta River, and is a unique tribute to the Australian troops who fought in the World War II Papua-New Guinea campaign of July 1942 till January 1943.

Memorial Walkway Centre Piece

Description

The walkway consists of more than 800 metres of pathway, starting from Concord Repatriation General Hospital to Rhodes railway station.^[1] Along the walkway visitors will see 22 information stations or plaques, which are supplemented with an audio narrative. Each Station describes a significant place or engagement of the campaign which visitors can hear and read, with photographs, maps and interviews. An Educational Resource Centre is also located on the route of the walkway where visitors can further study the events during the Papua-New Guinea campaign and review a calendar of annual events taking place at the Walkway.

At the centre of the walkway is a series of granite walls on which images of the New Guinea Campaign have been sandblasted. A cascading waterfall alongside the granite walls forms a part of the Centrepiece,

A lush tropical vegetation environment has been planted, simulating the conditions of the original Kokoda Track. The Mangrove timber boardwalk meanders through part of the simulated forest.

Rose Garden and Entry Area

An entrance featuring two semi-circular memorial walls amongst a bed of roses. Plaques dedicated to the memory of individuals who served in the war are mounted on the surrounding walls. The walkway is linked to the Rose Garden by the Bruce Kingsbury V.C. Path.

History

Construction of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway commenced in 1994 and was designed by DM Taylor Landscape Architect Pty Ltd.^[2] The walkway was opened on 3 October 1996 by the Hon Bruce Scott MP.

In July 2010, the walkway was vandalised with spray paint and a blunt object, causing up to $40,000 of damage. ^[3]

In May 2011, a 51-year-old man drove through the war memorial as a detour due to his allegedly sick wife. No damage to the walkway has been reported, although the man faced court for negligent driving. ^[4]