Location
The Coastwatcher's Memorial Lookout is located off the Vuruga Road (Burma Road) near Malmaluan. From this location there are beautiful panoramic view northward towards Karavia Bay, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul and the Duke
of York Islands.
Wartime History
During January 1942 until the end of the Pacific War, this location was occupied by the Japanese and developed with tunnels and bunkers. Naval guns and anti-aircraft guns emplaced in the area to defend the approaches.
Today
During the 1970s until the early 1990s this lookout was maintained as the Coastwatcher's Memorial Lookout. Also know as Coastwatcher's Lookout or Coastwatcher's Memorial, Coastwatchers Reserve or Coastwatcher Ridge. Named to honor Allied coastwatchers, but no coastwatchers ever operated from this location.
After the 1994 volcanic eruption, the park was not maintained and began to become overgrown. Today, a large antenna is located near this location but the park is largely overgrown and forgotten.
A6M2 Model 21 Zero
Displayed at this location atop a pole until it fell down during 1979. Afterwards moved to Rabaul and later sunk as dive site.
25mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Type 96 (1936) Triple
Displayed at Coastwatcher Lookout
6" Naval Gun
Displayed atop a concrete pedestal at Coastwatcher Lookout
75mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Type 88
Pair of
anti-aircraft guns flanking the road.
Anti-Tank Gun
Several anti-tank guns displayed along the road, possibly captured Australian Army guns from January 1942.
Japanese Aircraft Propeller
Japanese aircraft propeller displayed at the park
Underground
Bunker and Tunnel System
There are several reinforced
concrete entrances to another massive underground bunker system honeycombed in
the ridge. Never
completely explored, locals often find caches of armaments, aircraft parts, radio
rooms, and underground bunkers. Villagers sometime use
the old bunker entrances as outhouses. There was no evidence of bomb damage
here, and in discussion it was probably more likely that the highest Japanese
officers would have spent their time here, rather than in town where there dangers
of bombing were greater.
Photos by Rodger Kelly circa 1970s
Photos by Rodger Kelly circa 1970s
Stills from video by Justin Taylan, 2000
