Trek the Kokoda Trail Travel Blog

Posts Tagged ‘kokoda trail’

The Australian Government’s Department of Veteran Affairs has released a new Kokoda specific website full of information, maps and analysis of the Kokoda Campaign: kokoda.commemoration.gov.au

You’ll find:

• videos with Australian Kokoda Veterans including members of the 39th and 2/16th Battalions
• animated battle maps
• a detailed timeline of events
• information of the other battles fought in PNG during WW2

Its great to be able to report back to you that March saw much activity around the Kokoda airstrip. In an update from the Kokoda Track Authority we’ve be updated that the entire airstrip area has been slashed, mown and cleared and new safety cones and windsocks installed.

The plan is to continue to work to improve the Kokoda airstrip, equipment and facilities throughout the year. We’ll keep you posted.

Read our original post about new Funds to books Kokoda safety published in March 2010.

We are often asked by prospective Kokoda trekkers why we walk the Track in a North to South direction*, whereas some other trekking companies walk from South to North.

Historically, the Kokoda campaign started on the Northern beaches and moved in a North to South direction from Kokoda to Imita Ridge. The courageous delaying tactics of the 39th Militia Battalion followed by the brilliantly devised fighting withdrawal of the AIF’s 2/21st Infantry Brigade, comprised the first phase of the campaign. Later, when the Japanese were ordered to withdraw from Ioribaiwa, the AIF’s 16th and 25th Brigades fought the second phase. In this, the campaign moved in a South to North direction.

We choose to walk the Track following the direction of the first phase of the campaign.

Commencing from Kokoda village, the first days walk South to Hoi is mainly flat and only takes about one and a half hours. This is a gradual introduction to the Kokoda Track. It allows trekkers to get used to the heat and humidity without overexerting themselves. The following day to Alola, although long and continually up, ends in cooler, less humid conditions. These benign conditions last for the next few days as the Track continues South and climbs up to 2,100m in altitude. When starting from Ower’s Corner and heading North, the Track drops to the Goldie River and remains in a low, hot and humid valley before the steep slog up and over Imita Ridge to a campsite beside Ua Ale Creek. This day takes about 5 hours. The following days consist of long, steep ups and downs in energy sapping heat and humidity before reaching the cooler, high altitude regions. While a high level of fitness is required to enjoy the Kokoda Track, regardless of the direction walked, the South to North direction gives trekkers an easier start.

Logistically, both directions have their attractions and challenges. Our North to South treks start with a flight from Port Moresby to Popondetta. We fly in a larger, Dash 8 aircraft that allows us to carry all the trek supplies without the worry of overloading the aircraft (the flights that go between Port Moresby and Kokoda Village are in smaller Twin Otter aircraft that are unable to carry a full sized trekking group plus supplies). We then do the fun road trip from Popondetta to Kokoda, following the wartime trail that ran between Kokoda Village and the beaches of Buna, Gona and Sanananda where the Japanese landed and were subsequently defeated. Our South to North treks finish with a charter flight from Kokoda Village back to Port Moresby. We don’t attempt the drive to Popondetta because we cannot guarantee arriving there in time to catch the scheduled flight back to Port Moresby.

*There are two treks in 2010 that Back Track does from South to North; one being an Anzac Day trek and the other is the Kokoda Anniversary trek. To ensure that the treks arrive at a particular place on a particular day, taking into account trekking and flight schedules, we need to walk these two treks from South to North.

We have just completed the first 2 Kokoda Trail tours for the 2010 season. They were a great success. Both commemorated ANZAC Day with a very special dawn service at Brigade Hill. Below are comments from some of the trekkers in these first Kokoda teams:

Simone on Team 1 – “The whole thing was a fantastic experience and the crew were especially excellent. I will be spreading the word!!! Thanks Jim, once again Back Track gave me an excellent life changing experience.”

Bob on Team 1 – “I found the trek to be demanding & unrelenting -  perhaps because of my age. The comraderie & relationships with Trek leader, crew, porters, and fellow trekkers made it a special event in my life….”

Bruce on Team 2 – “What a great experience…..Gareth is an exceptional trek leader. he has a great attitude and a great knowledge of the Kokoda campaign. I would highly recommend anyone to go with Back Track...”

Anna on Team 2 – “An absolutely fantastic trip that I am sure none of us will ever forget. Gareth did an amazing job as trek leader. and the crew were great value. – lots of laughs and really helpful. Trekking with a smaller group allowed for some really close bonding. the food was great and helped sustain energy………..I would not hesitate recommending Back Track in the future.  I will certainly  look into Everest Base camp with Back Track…”

Thanks everyone for another memorable Kokoda trekking experience.

On the morning of November 3, Team 17, our last team on the Track for 2010 will commemorate the recapture of Kokoda and the historic raising of the Australian Flag over the site where the Kokoda campaign started.

Although B Company of the 39th Militia Battalion had briefly engaged the vanguard of the advancing Japanese forces before they reached Kokoda station,  it was the battle for Kokoda and our subsequent forced  withdrawal which marked the start of the Japanese advance over the Owen Stanley Ranges towards their goal of Port Moresby. It was a moment of great pride when in the early hours of November 3, 1942, the advancing Australian forces raised the Australian Flag in the same clearing that had been so heroically defended 4 months earlier.

Raising the flag will be only one of the highlights of this trek. We will be starting this trek at Ower’s Corner and walk South to North following the battle history of the Australian soldiers  as they pushed the Japanese back over the Track. Rather than camp at Kokoda, we intend to stay the night in a village Homestay which should be a lot of fun.

Click here to view our Team 17 Itinerary >

Click here to read more about this special commemorative trek >