AN ORIGINAL TEN-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Where Heroes Walked: Kokoda
A journey through history. A story about the people who walk it.
On Papua New Guinea's historic Kokoda Track, a group of Australian men embark on an extraordinary journey through some of the world's most challenging terrain.
Guided by military veterans and accompanied by local Papua New Guinean porters, the men retrace a landscape forever shaped by the courage and sacrifice of those who came before them.
But as the journey unfolds, it becomes about far more than reaching the finish line.
Through ten episodes of humour, hardship, friendship and emotional discovery, Where Heroes Walked: Kokoda reveals the personal stories behind the expedition — and the enduring connections between courage, mateship, history and the challenges of modern life.
10 EPISODES · PAPUA NEW GUINEA · AUSTRALIAN DOCUMENTARY SERIES
THE PEOPLE
Every man carries a story.
They arrive on the Track with different backgrounds, experiences and reasons for being there. As the days progress, personalities emerge, friendships deepen and the challenges of Kokoda reveal more than any of them may have expected. Featuring members of The Barstool Brothers and The Man Walk, alongside veteran guides and the Papua New Guinean people who help make the expedition possible, this is a story driven by the individuals who live it.
THE MEN
The personalities, friendships and personal journeys at the heart of the documentary.
THE GUIDES
The experience, leadership and perspective of the veterans accompanying the expedition.
THE PEOPLE OF KOKODA
The local knowledge, relationships and contributions of Papua New Guinean communities.
THE NARRATIVE
THE GROUND BENEATH THEIR FEET
History is never far away.
In 1942, the mountains and jungles of Papua New Guinea became the setting for one of the most significant campaigns in Australian military history.
The Kokoda campaign would come to symbolise extraordinary endurance, courage and sacrifice. Its history also bears witness to the indispensable contributions of Papua New Guinean people, whose knowledge, labour and courage helped shape the campaign.
More than eight decades later, the Track remains a place where this history can be experienced and remembered.
As the men travel through the villages, mountains and former battlefields of Kokoda, the past becomes a constant presence, providing a powerful perspective on the challenges and relationships unfolding in the present.
BEYOND THE SCREEN
Stories worth telling of a legacy worth preserving.
REMEMBRANCE
Honouring the courage and sacrifices of Kokoda while helping preserve the stories of those who served for future generations.
CONNECTION
Exploring mateship, vulnerability and the importance of meaningful conversations around men's mental health and wellbeing.
RECOGNITION
Acknowledging the vital contributions and enduring legacy of Papua New Guinean people and communities.
LEGACY
Encouraging historical understanding, education and conversations that connect generations through shared stories.
The journey may end at the arches, but the stories and conversations it inspires have the potential to continue long after the final episode.
Through the experiences of its participants and the extraordinary history surrounding them, Where Heroes Walked: Kokoda aims to bring audiences closer to the people, sacrifices and enduring human connections that make this story significant.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Ten episodes. One extraordinary journey.
Some stories need more than a single film to be told.
Where Heroes Walked: Kokoda is an immersive ten-part documentary that takes audiences beyond the familiar story of the Kokoda Track, revealing the people, relationships and extraordinary history that make this journey so significant.
As the expedition progresses, the men of Barstool Brothers and The Man Walk become more than faces in a group of trekkers. Their personalities emerge, friendships develop and personal stories unfold through moments of humour, hardship, vulnerability and genuine human connection.
Alongside their experiences, the documentary explores the events of the 1942 Kokoda campaign, the perspectives of Australian veterans and the indispensable contributions of the Papua New Guinean people.
Rather than rushing from one destination to the next, the series allows these stories to unfold naturally. It gives audiences the opportunity to become invested in the people, experience the changing realities of the journey and develop a deeper appreciation of the history surrounding them.
This isn't simply ten episodes about walking the Kokoda Track. It's ten episodes about the people, stories and history discovered along the way.
TRAILER & Stills
The Journey
The people
The History
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Four years in the making. A story worth telling.
What began as an ambition to bring the Kokoda experience into Australian living rooms has grown into a ten-part documentary exploring history, humanity and the extraordinary stories of the people who walk the Track.
Director Mitch McArdle reflects on the experience of documenting the expedition, the responsibility of representing Kokoda's history, and the personal stories that became the emotional heart of the series.
HONORING THE PAST - INSPIRING THE FUTURE
FROM THE PRODUCTION
The story continues.
Follow the documentary's journey from production to release, including behind-the-scenes insights, filmmaker reflections, screening announcements and the latest developments.
STAY CONNECTED
Be part of the journey.
The documentary is preparing for its next chapter. Be among the first to hear about the official trailer, upcoming screenings, behind-the-scenes stories and release announcements.
Occasional updates from the filmmakers. Unsubscribe at any time.