Trek the Kokoda Trail Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Safety on the Track’ Category

Trekking the Kokoda Track is tough and physically and mentally challenging. The fitter you are the more you will enjoy the Kokoda Track. Your personal training programme starts as soon as you book. If you book a Kokoda Trail trek with Back Track a detailed, simple to follow Training Schedule is provided in your Confirmation Kit that will illustrate how to start your own personal walking training programme wherever you live.

Back Track has also created a series of short videos giving you some basic tips to help with your fitness preparation. Visit our Fitness on the Kokoda Track page on our Kokoda website for more information. We are always adding new videos so keep checking back to help with your Kokoda Track fitness preparation. Or visit our YouTube website >

A Headlamp is a must when trekking Kokoda. It keeps your hands free to rummage through your backpack at night or feel your way as you head to the toilet at night.

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The Australian Government is providing another $3 million to improve safety along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett says the money will be spent on several projects including improved navigation for flights in and out of Kokoda.

It will also provide for upgrades of roads and the Kokoda airstrip, as well as first aid training.

Earlier this month the Government spent $250,000 to improve the road that leads to the Kokoda Track.

Work on the safety upgrades began after 13 people, including nine Australians, were killed in a plane crash near Kokoda last August.

Source: Government of Australia

The Australian Government has committed $1.8 million to fast-track a range of safety projects along the Kokoda Track.

Australian Heritage Minister, Peter Garrett, and Papua New Guinean Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Charles Abel, said this initial funding was the first part of a broader program of joint initiatives between the two governments.

The initial $1.8m will be used to undertake safety enhancements at airstrips –including Kokoda, improvements to communications along the Track and maintenance work on the Owers Corner Road.

Specific safety measures made possible by this funding are:

• Risk assessments and safety audits by PNG Civil Aviation Authority and CASA atKokoda, Manari, Kagi, Melei, Efogi and Naduri airstrips.

• Installing safety equipment, including windsocks, cones and markers and provision of

• maintenance equipment at the six airstrips.

• Building sheds, including installing weighing scales, at airstrips.

• Providing regular maintenance works – mowing, clearing drains and repairing potholes – at all six airstrips.

• Carrying out urgent repairs to Owers Corner Road, including grading, gravelling and

• installing new drainage.

• Upgrading Sogeri Bridge Road
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