In 1942, the village was the site of a government station, rubber plantation and strategically important airstrip. The Kokoda Track is a foot track that runs roughly southwest from Kokoda overland ( in a straight line) through the Owen Stanley Range towards Port Moresby. It was known before the war and had been used as an overland mail route. While there is a "main track" that is associated with the fighting during the campaign, there are many parallel, interlocking tracks that follow much the same general course. The southern end of the track is now considered to start at Owers' Corner, from Port Moresby. The vehicle track from Port Moresby originally terminated at McDonald's , where it serviced the McDonald homestead. Between June and late September 1942, around of road was completed, extending it to Owers' Corner.