Training Session 2 June 2013

Our next session will be on Sunday 2 June at Mt Macedon. We will meet at the Macedon train station and the corner of Smith and Victoria St. (note - Macedon and not Mt Macedon). Our meeting time is 9:30am so that we can be underway by 10am.

We will combine two walks - 1. Scout Camp Rd to Bawden Rd/Douglas Rd (1.4 km) rated easy to moderate, then 2. Bawden Rd/Douglas to Mount Macedon Memorial Cross (2.2 km) which is rated moderate to difficult and returning back to Scout Camp Rd

This is quite a challenging walk with a total distance of approximately 7km. There is a café when we reach the summit and depending on time and availability we will be able to access these facilities. We will then return via the same route to the car park. Our meeting time is 9:30 am and we expect to be finished by 2:30pm.

Pre-registration via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is essential.

Training Session 27 April 2013

We will be doing a training walk on Saturday 27 April. We will meet at 9.30 am at Millgrove at the public amenities area on the right-side of the road when heading in the direction of Warburton the approximate address is 3060 Warburton Highway, Millgrove. After you pass Hearse Rd on the right and you come into Millgrove there is a small group of shops on the left and on the right there is a car-parking area with some public BBQs and benches and a toilet block. If you pass Gillis Rd on the left then you have gone past it.

From there we’ll go to Warburton and the start of the Mt Donna Buang track which is about another 5 minutes. We should be able to start walking at 10.00 am.

Donna Buang has its own climate so it’s important to take a rain jacket/warm top and dry clothes for return home. Temperature at the top of Donna Buang could be 14 degrees.

It will take approximately 5 hours.

RSVP Essential - If you are coming please do let us know so that we know to expect you.

Upcoming Events - 2/22 Infantry Battalion Lark Force Annual Wreath-laying Ceremony

2/22 Infantry Battalion Lark Force Annual Wreath-laying Ceremony will take place on Sunday 20 January 2013, 2:45pm at the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne. Visit the Shrine's website for more information 2-22-Battalion-Lark-Force-Association-Wreath-laying Ceremony 2013

The 1400 soldiers of “Lark Force” were ordered by the Australian High Command to hold Rabaul though untrained for jungle warfare and unaware that they would be outnumbered five to one. Lacking naval support, modern fighter planes and artillery, Lark Force was ‘too small to fight & too big to hide’!

Their Commander had rejected plans for a fighting withdrawal and ordered “there will be no surrender”. But when the Japanese struck, the Commander’s orders changed to “every man for himself” and the soldiers found they’d become ‘hostages to fortune’.

160 were murdered at Tol Plantation; some 1000 soldiers and Territorians later died as POW’s when the “Montevideo Maru” was torpedoed. That 400 escaped from New Britain was due to the courage and endurance of individuals, the leaders of small parties, RAAF flying boat crews and the skill of Australian “kiaps” from the ‘mainland’ who rescued so many in government launches.

To read the full notes from Reg Yates' expedition to Rabaul in August 2011 click the following link: Rabaul notes

To read the story of an expedition retracing the footsteps of Lark Force in April 2012 click the following link: http://www.kokodahistorical.com.au/index/index.php/about/testimonials/175-retracing-the-footsteps

Training Session 1 April 2013

We will be doing a training walk this Easter Monday. We will meet at 9.30 am at Launch Fresh at 2080 Warburton Highway Launching Place. Its at the corner of Warburton Highway and Gembrook Road (about 6 kms from Woori Yallock). From there we’ll go to Warburton about another 20 minutes. We should be able to start walking at 10.00 am.

Donna Buang has its own climate so it’s important to take a rain jacket/warm top and dry clothes for return home. Temperature for Woori Yallock on Sunday is expected to be 18 degrees. Monday may be similar and top of Donna Buang it could be 14 degrees.

It will take 4-5 hours.

RSVP Essential - If you are coming please do let us know so that we know to expect you.

Training Session 24 March 2013

Kokoda Historical is hosting a training session at Lerderderg Gorge for those in preparation for our trekking tours. 

This walk will be approximately 14km and we expect it to take around 5 – 5.5 hours. Parts of this track are steep so please ensure you wear suitable footwear (preferably your boots that you intend to wear on your tour). Also be prepared to get your feet wet as there will be river crossings.

Also please bring water and a packed lunch. We will start at O'Briens Crossing and walk along the river for roughly 6km (East Walk), then we will follow on to Cowan track which runs back to the main road (O'Brien's Road) and then its a short 1km walk back to our starting point at O'Briens Crossing.

Date: Sunday 24 March 2013

Time: 9:30am - 3pm

Meeting point: Lerderderg Library Carpark, Corner of Main & Lord Street, Bacchus Marsh at 9:30am

Location: Lerderderg Gorge, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria

Distance: 14km

Difficulty: Steep in places, river crossings (be prepared for wet feet!)

Info: Please wear suitable boots and bring water and a packed lunch

RSVP: Registration is essential. Please email or call us if you are joining us.

Kokoda Track Training Session 27 Jan 2013

Our next Kokoda Track Training Session for those preparing for the Kokoda Track. We will meet in the carpark at Valley Picnic Ground, which is accessed via Boundary Road (off Silvan Road), Olinda (Melways Ref: 122 C5). Please bring a packed lunch and water. Please wear your boots that you will wear for your Kokoda Track tour.

Valley Walk is steep and rocky in some sections and is only recommended for prepared, experienced walkers.

Our meeting time is 9:30 am and we expect to be finished by 12:30pm