Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Sandakan is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. But it’s also one of our most heroic.
After 74 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.With Wild Spirit Adventures as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
That’s because our treks across the Sandakan Death March follow the original route as closely as possible. We avoid using “short cut”, “eco” or alternative tracks that are logistically easier, ensuring that you see the real Borneo, and the original Sandakan Death March Route.
This is made possible because of research from respected authorities on the Sandakan Death March, Don Wall and Dr Kevin Smith.
Managing Director of Wild Spirit Adventures (and sister trekking company Kokoda Spirit) Wayne Wetherall is an expert trekker and passionate adventurer who has walked the Sandakan Death March Track many times. Along with his Borneo partner Jerome Robles, he has uncovered what he believes to be the missing links and lost sections of the “Death March Track” of Sandakan.
They have been very fortunate to meet a number of the old local people from Borneo and hear first hand and record their experiences of the Sandakan Death Marches.
The Wild Spirit Adventures trek and route is based on information from the official Office of War Graves, grave recovery map, data from the National Archives and Australian War Memorial, Department of Army report on Major Jacksons Borneo Mission, Report by Major R.E Steele, WO. W. Wallace and Sgt R.J Kennedy and translations of Japanese war records.
We use a variety of accommodation on our treks including camping next to Rainforest Rivers and staying in traditional Dusun Villages along the way, this gives you a great chance to embrace the traditional culture and mix with the locals and hear first hand the stories of their forefathers.
We see the Sandakan Death March as an explorer, historian and adventurer.
When you trek with Wild Spirit Adventures, you will too.
“If our set departure dates are not convenient for you, you may choose Private departures by selecting your own convenient tour date. These types of departure are best suited to couples, families, charity and small groups of friends. Customised itineraries are available as per your travel need.“
Wild Spirit Adventures is owned by Wayne Wetherall who specialises in small group tours designed to provide you with lifelong memories to Sabah, Borneo Malaysia.
Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of trekking company Kokoda Spirit and Wild Spirit Adventures has walked the Sandakan Death March Track on 10 occasions and has been very fortunate to meet a number of the old local people from Borneo and hear first hand their experiences of the Sandakan Death Marches.
Our trekking partners are Dusuns, direct descendents of the carriers and locals that helped the POW’s. We stay at local villagers, purchase our fruit and vegies ensuring that the local communities benefit from tourism.
Over the past two journeys Wayne and his team of local Dusun’s, who are direct descendents of the carriers and villagers along the track have meticulously, using the latest in GPS mapping technology and old fashion hard work we were able to faithfully piece together as close as it is possible to get to the original route.
Our treks across the Sandakan Death March route faithfully as close as possible follow the original route.
We avoid using short cut or alternative treks that are logistically easier to ensure you see the real Borneo, the real Sandakan Death March Route. We use a variety of accommodation on our treks including camping next to Rainforest Rivers and staying in traditional Dusun Villages along the way, this gives you a great chance to embrace the traditional culture and mix with the locals and hear firsthand the stories of their forefathers.
If you are comparing Sandakan trekking companies, make sure you are on the correct route.
We have over 10 years experience in the design and delivery of a wide range of challenging expeditions and adventure based programs around the world.
Wayne is also the owner of Kokoda Spirit, which is an Australian and PNG based company specialising in treks across the Kokoda track in PNG.
Wayne has been developing adventure programs, tours and itineraries to show case the wonders and beauty of Sabah, including the infamous Sandakan Death March. Wayne has the flexibility and local experience to tailor an itinerary and program to suit your individual or group requirements.
Waynes goal is to deliver a world class Sandakan and Borneo experience while ensuring all stakeholders including the local villages and communities benefit from tourism.
Our journeys are a mix of culture, soft adventure, challenge and most of all, safe and enjoyable experiences.
Our tours are designed with the aid of local people enabling Wild Spirit Adventures to support the diverse cultures in which we operate. Our philosophy of providing economic and environmentally sustainable practices in the countries we visit has enabled us to develop long lasting relationships with the local peoples.
Our Sandakan partner is reputable, an experienced operator who are proud of their culture and history. This relationship will allow you the opportunity to not just experience another country, but to experience people, their culture, and their environment. You are a part of the journey, not just an observer. You will gain a deeper understanding of place and people providing everlasting memories of your own international “wild spirit”.
Our Sandakan adventures ensure that our impact is minimal by adhering to a self imposed code of conduct. This not only involves adhering to the laws, guidelines and regulations of the countries we visit, but also operating in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. It is our own backyard and we need to look after it.
Our staff are passionate about people and about providing people with everlasting memories of the places we visit. They live and have families in the beautiful areas we operate in. Wild Spirit Adventures encourages and assists our guests in learning about the country, its culture, religion and its customs, resulting in a much more informed experience.
Sabah Borneo has some of the World’s greatest adventures including the infamous Sandakan Death March. Immerse yourself in an ecological treasure that is breathtaking, serene and thrilling. Whatever your mood, you have paradise in the palm of your hand in Sabah, the adventure land of eco-treasures.
So whatever excites or fascinates you, your children or friends, from mountain climbing, jungle trekking, wildlife safaris, white water rafting, mountain biking, kayaking, diving, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, tennis or golf, Sabah promises excitement to fulfil every adventurers and sporting persons wishes and dreams. Sabah Borneo is also the place to experience the culture of this wonderful place, with traditional longhouses and village stays, exotic cuisine, traditional festive celebrations and the incredible “tamu” or local market place shopping experience. Sabah is also home to some amazing, unique and fascinating animals, including the incredible Borneo Elephants, Orang Utan, and Proboscis monkeys.
Why go to Africa when you can have your very own wildlife safari in Borneo. Come trek with us through the pristine Jungle of the lower Kinabatangan River in search of colourful tropical birds, crocodiles, huge monitor lizards, wild pigs, elephants, otters, several species of monkeys, tree snakes. It is also a haven for the Proboscis Monkey, Orang Utan, hornbills and kingfishers.
We pay tribute to our soldiers, the Sandakan Death March is acknowledged as the worst military tragedy for Australia in World War II. Tragic though it is, the story of the Sandakan Death March is an important chapter in the shared wartime history of Australia and Sabah Borneo. We offer treks exploring sections of the Sandakan Death March Route by vehicle and on foot. We visit the haunting 8 mile Prisoner of war camp at Sandakan; explore the Sandakan town including the Catholic Church where the prisoners first stayed on arrival in the area. Our trek across the Sandakan Death March Track takes us too many of the historical and heroic areas along the track, where our Australian Soldiers lost their lives in tragic and barbaric fashion.
Wild Spirit Adventures are dedicated to delivering to you some of the World’s greatest adventure. We are specialist in delivering the ultimate in Adventure Sports, Adventure Culture and Adventure Education. We specialise in tailoring adventure itineraries to suit individual and group requirements. Our itineraries and adventures can be swapped and modified to maximize your adventure.
For those that wish to indulge in the finer things of life, before, during or after their adventures, Sabah has a wealth of 3, 4 and 5 star resorts and hotels to choose from.
All of our adventures can be designed to suit the elite athlete with harder and more challenging adventures or modified to suit school groups, groups or individuals. Our trekking groups are small and personal, with most group sizes only around 8 people allowing for greater flexibility in the itinerary. We can also cater for 1 or 25 travellers.
We are the other trekking company that our competition talk about and try and emulate.
We carry a full $10 million dollar Public Liability Insurance, you are also protected by the Travel Compensation Fund which confirms the ability of the operator to be financially viable.
Make sure if you are dealing with overseas companies that they cover insurance in Australia and Malaysia and that you are covered under the TCF.
Make sure any operator you use is covered under Australian and Malaysian law.
It is important that you ask your trekking company important questions regarding the Sandakan Death March route that they walk and the itineraries and accommodation that they use.
There are a number of prominent and respected adventure companies offering packages to Borneo and the Sandakan Track, be sure to check out their itineraries, routes and accommodation offered.
Our treks across the Sandakan Death March route faithfully as close as possible follow the original route. Our treks are based on research from the premier and respected authorities on the Sandakan Death March,Don Wall and Kevin Smith.
We avoid using “short cut”,“eco” or alternative tracks that are logistically easier to ensure you see the real Borneo, the real Sandakan Death March Route. We use a variety of accommodation on our treks including camping next to Rainforest Rivers and staying in traditional Dusun Villages along the way, this gives you a great chance to embrace the traditional culture and mix with the locals and hear firsthand the stories of their forefathers.
The most acclaimed authority on the Sandakan Death March and Sandakan POW camp is Don Wall.
Don Wall is a Veteran of WW11, volunteering for service with the AIF, serving with the 2/20 Battalion 8 Division. After the fall of Singapore Don then became a POW.
Don had the full co-operation during his research of Sandakan Death March survivors Keith Botterill, Owen Campbell and Nelson Short. These in-depth discussions covered all aspects of the events of prisoner of war life in Sandakan.
Don wrote his first book Kill the Prisoners way back in 1988 and his revised fourth edition in 1995.
Don also had full access and permission to use the private records of Lt. Col. H.W.S Jackson, MBE (Ret.) in particular records of the recovery of remains, his first hand knowledge of the people of Borneo, those that witnessed the prisoners on the marches and those who saved the lives of the six survivors.
The other prominent authority and author on Sandakan and the Sandakan Death March is Kevin Smith.
Do not be deceived in believing that there has only been one book written about Sandakan and the Sandakan Death March.
Don and Kevin have researched and written excellent books.
We also base our treks on the reports compiled by Veterans of Borneo, Major R.E. Steele, WO W. Wallace and SGT R.J. Kennedy.
Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of trekking company Kokoda Spirit and Sandakan Spirit has walked the Sandakan Death March Track on 8 occasions and has been very fortunate to meet a number of the old local people from Borneo and hear first hand and record their experiences of the Sandakan Death Marches.
Over the past two journeys Wayne and his team of local Dusun’s, who are direct descendents of the carriers and villagers along the track have meticulously, using the latest in GPS mapping technology and old fashion hard work and intense research we were able to faithfully piece together as close as it is possible to get to the original route.
Trekking the Sandakan Death March route with usis an experience not just a holiday. We see things as an explorer, historian and adventurer.
When you trek the Sandakan Death March with Sandakan Spirit, you’re participating in a personal discovery experience; you are truly living and participating in an historic and monumental Borneo adventure.
Our travel arrangements are by Spirit Holidays – Travel Agents License TAG1611. Make sure your tour company complies with both Australian and Malaysian laws.
Wayne Wetherall, the man behind Kokoda and Sandakan Spirit, is doing Australian history a great justice by providing trekkers what is more than likely to be the most accurate track through Borneo that retraces the steps of over 1700 Australian men whom were incarcerated by the Japanese in WWII.
Read the full story of Waynes discovery here
TWO elderly Malaysians who risked their lives more than 60 years ago to help Allied prisoners of the Japanese during World War II will fly to Sydney next month to take part in a commemoration of the infamous Sandakan death marches.
Read the full story here
AN Australian trekker says he has uncovered two new sections of the infamous Sandakan Death March track in Borneo which would help with the preservation of one of the country’s most tragic and heroic wartime histories.
Read the full story on the Herald Sun
Wild Spirit has an office in Kota Kinabalu that is run by our experienced and reputable local partner. This office deals with administration and logistics once clients are in Sabah Borneo. Our Head Office is on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
Wild Spirit is dedicated to showing and telling the story of the POWs along the infamous Sandakan Death March Route to our trekkers. It is a story that every Australian should know about.
Our guides are passionate about the history and will share their detailed knowledge of the route and its history with you. We are also dedicated to looking after the villagers and village people along the Sandakan Death March track. Our Sabah Dusan Guides and Porters will share their history and culture with you.
Our Sabah Dusan guides are the best; they discovered and uncovered sections of the forgotten war time track. Our guides will show you all the historic and cultural sites across the Sandakan track.
Our treks are generally led by our experienced Local Guides, however, we can negotiate an Australian Guide for some treks.
Managing Director Wayne Wetherall has spent years researching the history of the Track and has GPS’ed the entire length of the track, to create an up to date profile of the track.
After you pass through Malaysian Immigration and collect your luggage, you will go through Customs.
If you are arriving the day before your trek or the day of trek, you will be met at the airport by a representative from our local partners office. You will then be transported to the hotel where you will be checked in.
If you are arriving earlier than the day before your trek, you will need to arrange with the hotel for airport transfers. I would suggest when booking your extra night accommodation that you request with the hotel for airport transfers.
Our preferred Hotel in Sandakan is the 4 star, Four Points Hotel by Sheraton. In Kota Kinabalu, the 5 star Le Meridian. If no availability we will source a similar quality Hotel.
If you hold an Australian Passport No Visa is required.
Travel tip
Wear your boots on the plane and bring essential items in your carryon luggage. Bags do go missing; bags can be left back in Australia. If you have got your boots, medical supplies and some personal items with you and your bag goes missing, then you still have your basic requirements to trek.
On the Death March you need to take local currency (Malaysian Ringgit). We recommend a daily allowance of 20 – 30 ringgit. You can organise to buy Malaysian currency through your local bank before you leave Australia or at the money exchanger at the International Airports. I would highly recommend that you have Malaysian currency before leaving Australia. There are shops near our accommodation where you can buy food and drinks to top up your stocks or for a treat.
Our Sandakan Death March treks we have a maximum group size of 16, with an average size of 12.
Group sizes will vary for Anzac groups, Sandakan Day groups as well as private/special occasion groups.
The hiring of a personal porter is not necessary; you will only need to carry a light day pack.
Malaysia is a non-tipping society, so tipping your guides, cooks and driver is not necessary but is appreciated and considered a ‘free will’ gesture. You may want to reward a job well done, so RM200 is a good tip. Any of your excess clothes or caps, t-shirts etc would be very much appreciated.
Gaiters are a personal choice; I just use the light weight cotton “gardening/mowing” style to prevent sticks rocks etc from getting into my boots. Refer to our website for your gear list requirements.
Wild Spirit has a comprehensive trekking gear list to help you with your essential items. Refer to our website for your gear list requirements.
You will need a 30/40 litre pack for your day pack.
Water/Electrolytes
You will need to carry a minimum of 3 litres of water on you. You will be given bottles of water each morning which you can pour into your water bladder if you prefer, otherwise you can just use the bottles.
It is essential that you take electrolytes with you. Yes, electrolytes are essential. We have our own specifically blended electrolytes for trekking Kokoda which can be purchased from Kokoda Spirit at http://www.kokodaspirit.com.au/booknow/trek-fuel/
Put in your water, every 3rd litre, it prevents dehydration due to high perspiration losses due to exertion and high humidity. Dehydration, overheating and hyponatremia can become major issues on the track. It is very important to keep drinking fluids and utilising salt and electrolyte replacements on the Track. Because of the higher level of activity, temperature and humidity you will tend to sweat more. With the increased fluid intake and sweating you also tend to flush out of your system essential minerals, salts etc. This is why it is important to use electrolytes, salt replacements and glucose type products.
Water purifying tablets should be taken along as a precaution.
With the different environments, conditions, food and water, upset stomachs, vomiting and diarrhoea can occur. Please ensure you bring adequate medication.
Wild Spirit needs to be advised when booking if there are any particular dietary requirements. We do our best to manage your requirements, but accept no responsibility due to availability.
Supplements may be implemented.
We can generally provide Gluten Free and Vegetarian menus on request, we do need to be advised at least 6 weeks prior to trek departure.
Below is a general outline of meals whilst on the trek.
Dinners are at a local restaurant and will be either, Malaysian, Indian or Chinese.
PEANUTS – when cooking our meals some of our sauces have peanut traces. Our porters and trekkers do eat peanuts, muesli bars, biscuits which may contain peanuts. Upon booking it is the trekker’s responsibility to advise Sandakan Spirit should they have an allergy to Peanuts.
Yes you can. This has not been an issue before. You must declare your food and advise customs that it is for trekking.
The facilities on the Sandakan Death March track are very basic at best.
However, our hotel accommodation has showers toilets and basic washing facilities.
The Sandakan Death March track can be trekked all year round, but the conditions on the track vary due to the changes in the season. The seasons are broken up into the dry season and the wet season. These seasons also have sub seasons which fringe the wet and dry season.
The dry season is normally from late May to late October. Good conditions can still be expected in April and November. It is possible to get rain and consequently mud on the Track during any season or month. Late November, December, January, February and March can be wet and muddy.
The temperature will range from 24-28 degrees under the canopy and up to 36 degrees out in the open areas. The night time temperature will range from 18-24 degrees. Humidity will range between 80% – 95%
Wild Spirit does not trek at night. Our itineraries are designed to ensure you are at your accommodation well before night fall.
Wild Spirit has an emergency evacuation plan which is implemented. On receiving call for assistance we activate our plan and organise medical, travel insurance and evacuation plans. Contact us if you required more details.
Villages
Whilst in the villages we recommend you do not give money to anyone, as this does create problems between the village people. They live as a community and money needs to be shared between all in the village.
If you would like to take something to the villages, a gift that they can share is more appropriate, clothes, ball games, colouring in items books reading and writing.
First aid items are also very much needed (and appreciated) e.g. Band-Aids, antiseptic lotions, strapping etc.
Please refer to our sustainable Ecotourism strategy policy on the website. This will give you an insight into our philosophy and policy.
Our accommodation along the track is clean, safe and basic and in forestry lodges, motel style rooms and longhouses.
Walking poles are essential and are a very good aide for trekking. They are used as a support and breaking system for the steep downhill sections. You can buy walking poles through our office or from camping stores. It is a good idea to train with the poles. Some people find one pole sufficient, but it is your choice.
Yes, you do need travel insurance, it is very important. You are responsible to organise your own Travel/Medical insurance.
You will need coverage for medical evacuation; medical, theft, loss etc. Travel Insurance MUST include Medical Evacuation (anywhere in Malaysia) and medical expenses including hospital coverage in Malaysia and Australia. It can be a very costly experience for you if you do not have your Travel Insurance! **
We require a copy of your personal, Travel and Medical Insurance no later than 4 weeks before departure. Failure to have travel and medical insurance will prevent you from trekking.
Yes. Approximately 3 months prior to your trek Wild Spirit will email a letter that you need to take to your doctor.
We ask that this original Drs Letter be scanned and emailed to our Wild Spirit office no later than 4 weeks before departure.
It is Wild Spirit’s requirements that every trekker must obtain medical clearance from their doctor. If we do not receive the original Wild Spirit Drs letter, unfortunately your trek will be cancelled.
Sandakan Spirit has a “no alcohol/no drugs” policy while trekking on the Sandakan track. It is however possible in our accommodation to buy local beer to be consumed with your meal, as this is not on the track itself but in a motel style facility.
We were part of the committee that developed the draft policy. We will continue to support the Code of Conduct to ensure the long term protection of the track.
It is very important that we all take good care of the Track. Whilst trekking, please put your own rubbish in your backpack until you can dispose of at end of the day. If you see rubbish on the Track, pick it up and put it in our rubbish bags.
Our web site has a complete list of gear required to trek Sandakan or contact us and we will send the list out to you. We can also supply a range of cost effective gear to suit your requirements.
Yes, absolutely. It is essential that you have an appropriate, personal, first aid kit for the conditions.
It is not essential to wear boots across the Sandakan track but I highly recommend good quality comfortable footwear. My boots are 100% water proof. (At least they are until the water comes over the top) They are also a light weight Gortex construction for quick drying. They have an aggressive Vibram flexible grip and sole for better traction on the track. Companies will push their own brands and preferences and attempt to convince you of the benefits. My suggestions are that the boots must be comfortable, be at least one size bigger than you would normally wear. This will prevent you from getting sore toes on the declines; your feet can also swell causing discomfort. They should also be light weight quick drying and have a good flexible and aggressive grip. The track is harsh on boots so do not risk old or suspect boots. I have found Aku and Scarpa boots to be the best for me.
No, we do not have exclusive use of the lodges along the Sandakan Death March Track. It is quite possible that some lodges will be shared by other trekkers.
Yes we do walk the real Sandakan Track. You will walk in the footsteps of the POWs.
The best way to minimise risk on the Sandakan Track is to trek with a professional trekking company like Wild Spirit. Wild Spirit has a comprehensive risk management plan and safety procedures.
Our guides are first aid trained for wilderness situations.
It is important that you get yourself a full medical check before training. Wild Spirit requires a full medical clearance from your doctor before trekking with us. Proper preparation and training before your trek is absolutely essential. It is also essential to ensure you take precautions to prevent, dehydration, hyponatremia and overheating.
While you do not need to be an Olympic athlete, you still need to be in great physical condition, with good endurance and stamina. You need to be able to walk up to 9 hours per day in hot and humid conditions. The terrain over the Sandakan Track is tough and can be steep in parts. You need a strong heart, lungs, quads, calves and a strong and positive attitude. A dedicated training program is required.
Contact your fitness professional or check out our training program on the website. We recommend you consult your medical practitioner before undertaking any new training program.
Please Note: All trekkers need to be aware that being well above your healthy weight range seriously impacts on your ability to complete the Track. Should you fall into this category we highly recommend that you concentrate your training on an intensive weight loss/fitness program. You may like to consider hiring a personal trainer to assist you with your fitness goals. Once again we recommend you consult your medical practitioner before undertaking any new training program.
Our training program is on our website alternatively if you would like a copy we can email this to you upon request.
A Wild Spirit shirt will be posted to each trekker. With large groups the shirts are posted to the person who has organised the trek. Completion certificate will be handed out to trekkers on the completion of their trek.
Contact the Wild Spirit office by email info@wildspiritadventures.com or phone us on 07 5445 2758 we will advise you regarding the different options available.
Deposit – your deposit payment is due when your booking is confirmed. Wild Spirit will provide you with a Booking Confirmation letter.
Final Payment – The final payment is due 8 weeks before your trek date.
We ask all trekkers to read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Some of above mentioned points are outlined in more detail in our Booking Terms and Conditions. These can be found on the website or contact our office and we can send this to you. Every trekker who books a trek will also receive Wild Spirit Booking Terms and Conditions upon their booking.
Relax and Enjoy
Every effort is made to make your trip as memorable as possible. Please remember, you are going to country where you may see and experience things you have never seen before.
Expect the unexpected in Malaysia. Keep an open mind; schedules/itinerary may and can change without notice, internal transfers may be late, planes may be late due to bad weather, please understand it is out of our control.
Patience and a relaxed attitude are essential for an enjoyable trek. This a fantastic trekking adventure, it is an empowering and life changing experience. Enjoy!
“All the way along the Sandakan Death March track, we smelt and saw bodies. They were Australian soldier’s bodies from the prisoner’s marches. We could recognise them- some we new personally…
In all my dealings with the Japanese. I have never seen anyone of our chaps after they have been left with the Japs. Once you stopped, you stopped for good.”
“I’d deliberately get out of bed of a morning, off my bunk and I’d go out to aggravate them in some way or other. I never ever let the Japanese beat me, in my mind. Because they beat me bodily, but they never broke my nerve or my heart.”
After the fall of Singapore in February 1942, numbers of Australian and British POWs were brought progressively to Sandakan.
The first large group of Australians about 1500 men to arrive from Singapore was ‘B’ Force. They steamed along the east coast of Borneo on the Ubi Maru and arrived at Sandakan on 17 July 1942.
Lieutenant Rod wells thought the scenery beautiful.
From the sea it’s lovely. With red chalk hills on the side of Berhala Island it really was very impressive. I suppose for a split moment we thought, with a sigh of relief, that here’s some beautiful, peaceful land where there may not be any Japanese.
Jack Sue Did Not Fabricate His Wartime Heroics, Says His Son…..
Theo Fakos Source: Perth Now
CLAIMS that one of Australia’s greatest war heroes, Jack Wong Sue, fabricated key parts of his personal memoir Blood on Borneo have been refuted by a new inquiry.
But Lynette Silver, the historian who made the claims, has refused to back down and yesterday insisted: “There is not a single thing in this report that refutes anything.”
The inquiry, commissioned by the WA World War II hero’s oldest son Barry Sue, found “there appears to be absolutely no justification for calling Jack Wong Sue a liar”.
New Find On The Borneo Trail….
AN Australian trekker says he has uncovered two new sections of track on the infamous Sandakan death march in Borneo, which would correct the preservation of one of the country’s most tragic and heroic wartime histories.
More than 2400 Australian and British prisoners of war died during World War II working on the track, where they were beaten, tortured and executed. Only six Australians escaped and survived.
Robyn Riley – Herald Sun – Sunday July 31, 2011
Help Save Our Victoria Cross Heroes’ Memories…..
The graves of some Victoria Cross war heroes have been left to crumble because of decades of bureaucratic indifference.
And the final resting places of many of Victoria’s bravest soldiers are in danger of disappearing entirely thanks to bureaucratic buck-passing.
Address By Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General Of The Commonwealth Of Australia
On The Occasion Of The Sandakan Day Memorial service Sandakan 15 August 2010
Today, we gather as nations that share a history, and as friends who share a human story.
The dedication of Sandakan Day ensures that the records and memorials of that history are observed and attended to,
year in, year out, for lifetimes hence.
SANDAKAN IS ONE OF THE MOST TRAGIC AUSTRALIAN STORIES OF WORLD WAR TWO.
BUT IT’S ALSO ONE OF OUR MOST HEROIC.
After nearly 70 years, you can walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of those heroes.
With Sandakan Spirit as your trekking company, you’ll be participating in both a personal discovery experience and an historic Borneo adventure.
Dear Wayne, Your call this morning was most interesting and I thank you for it. I have two maps obtained from a Government office in the early 2000s, although I cannot now recall exactly from whom. They are dated in the mid-70s and I was going to post you copies today. However that will now have to wait until Monday as the place where I have been doing my photocopying has been getting more inefficient by the month. I must now try somewhere else.
© Wild Spirit Adventures 2021
