A former WWII battlefield, Milne Bay was not always a tranquil place. In August and September 1942 World War II come to the shores along the bay as Japanese and Australian forces battled for control of three airstrips that were a vital component to the Japanese plan to capture Port Moresby. The Battle for Milne Bay formed one part of a larger conflict that included the struggle by Australian and Japanese forces along the Kokoda track. After 1942, Milne Bay became a staging area for US and allied forces as the war moved further west. The bay was often teeming with ships and by wars end, it is estimated that 250,000 troops had passed through Milne Bay.

A guide can show you some remnants still on the land and near the beaches. The remains of numerous pontoons used to construct temporary floating harbours dot the foreshore in Wagawaga and nearby bays. A landing barge rusts quietly where it was beached many years ago.

At a place called Gamadodo are the remains of a repair & maintenance facility which was used by the Seventh Fleet Amphibious force. Today many of the houses at Gamadodo village are built on the concrete pads which originally supported warehouses in 1942.

During your stay at Ulumani Treetops you will see reminders of those times. Stainless steel breakfast trays as shiny as the day they were issued stamped with the initials USN are still used by villagers and coca cola bottles with '43 and '44 stamped on the side look as though they were opened and the contents enjoyed by some thirsty serviceman only yesterday.