AN ORIGINAL TEN-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Ten chapters. One unfolding story.
Across ten episodes, Where Heroes Walked: Kokoda takes audiences deep into one of Australia's most significant chapters of history, revealing the extraordinary people, personal struggles and enduring stories that bring the Kokoda Track to life.
As the journey unfolds, so too does a powerful human drama, where the past and present meet against the backdrop of an unforgettable landscape.
EPISODE 01
Mission Statement
Before the first steps are taken, the mission is established. From the desperate events of the 1942 Kokoda campaign to a new group of Australians preparing to walk the same ground, the series introduces the people, their reasons for undertaking the journey and the extraordinary history waiting to be discovered.
Approx. 58 mins
EPISODE 02
First Steps
The journey begins, and the reality of Kokoda quickly replaces expectation. As the unforgiving terrain tests the trekkers, new friendships take shape and the vital role of their Papua New Guinean guides and porters becomes increasingly apparent. The adventure has only just begun.
Approx. 43 mins
EPISODE 03
Forwards, Backwards and into the Sky
As the Track climbs higher, the physical challenge begins to reveal something deeper. Personal doubts surface, unexpected conversations unfold and the men begin confronting the experiences that brought them here. Sometimes, moving forward means looking back.
Approx. 48 mins
EPISODE 04
Metamorphosis
The landscape is changing, and so are the people travelling through it. As the expedition pushes deeper into the mountains, the growing demands of Kokoda begin to reshape relationships, challenge expectations and strengthen the bonds between men who were once strangers.
Approx. 60 mins
EPISODE 05
Ragged Bloody Heroes
The extraordinary story of the 39th Battalion takes centre stage as the expedition approaches some of Kokoda's most significant battlefields. Through wartime accounts, personal stories and the experiences of those who fought, the men begin to understand the courage and sacrifice behind one of Australia's defining military campaigns.
Approx. 45 mins
EPISODE 06
Sixty Two
At Brigade Hill, the expedition encounters one of the most sombre chapters of the Kokoda campaign. Stories of extraordinary sacrifice bring the past into sharp focus, while the courage and contributions of Papua New Guinean carriers reveal another essential part of the history that shaped the Track.
Approx. 47 mins
EPISODE 07
The Lucky Country
Beyond the battlefields, Kokoda is also a place people call home. As the expedition travels through Efogi, encounters with local communities offer a deeper understanding of Papua New Guinea and its people. Different perspectives on the war and reflections on life today challenge the men to reconsider what it means to be fortunate.
Approx. 63 mins
EPISODE 08
Service After Service
What does service mean when the uniform comes off? As the documentary explores the experiences of the veterans within the group, questions of identity, purpose and belonging come to the forefront. Meanwhile, the historical story moves into another decisive chapter of the Kokoda campaign.
Approx. 45 mins
EPISODE 09
Earned
As the expedition approaches the historic ground of Isurava, the past and present begin to converge. Stories of sacrifice, loss and extraordinary courage provide a powerful perspective on the personal journeys unfolding along the Track, reminding the men that some things can only be understood through experience.
Approx. 46 mins
EPISODE 10
Beyond the Arches
The journey approaches its conclusion, but the significance of Kokoda extends far beyond the finishing arches. As the men reflect on the people, experiences and history that have shaped their expedition, the series turns towards a larger question: what do we carry home, and how do we honour those who came before us?
Approx. 56 mins
Experience the journey.
A glimpse into the people, history and extraordinary experiences that make up Where Heroes Walked: Kokoda.