The Kokoda Track
BlueRock Charity Trek 2024
11 Days
8 Day Trek
Meals Included
Advanced
2 Nights Hotel/8 Nights Camp
The Experience
Walking the Kokoda track has become an important experience for every Australian. The physical and mental challenges of the Track, including an understanding of the courage and sacrifice shown by Australia’s diggers, offer a life-changing experience for every trekker.
The story of Kokoda – the heroic defense of our nation against a powerful foreign invader – is finally gaining its rightful place at the forefront of the Australian consciousness. However, one can only begin to understand what really took place on that remote jungle pathway during WWII by actually trekking over its arduous course.
After the war, the Kokoda legend lay dormant for six decades, during which time the New Guinean jungle reclaimed many of its historic sites. After years of painstaking research on the track itself, and with the aid of the fast-thinning ranks of both Australian and Japanese veterans, Bill James has played an important part in uncovering the ‘lost battlefields’ of Kokoda. His publication, Field Guide to the Kokoda Track, is regarded as the ‘trekkers bible’. Bill acts as a historical advisor for On Track Expeditions and has passed his extensive knowledge of the campaign on to our trek.
Itinerary
Walking North
Upon arrival at the airport we will be transferred to the Kokoda Trail Hotel on the picturesque Sogeri Plateau, just outside of Port Moresby. A trek briefing will take place before a group dinner.
We make an early start and travel by bus to Owers’ Corner, the start point of the trek. Here we meet the porters who will accompany the group for the first time. We descend to the Goldie River and then climb Imita, the first ridgeline of the Range. It was at this point where the Australians, camped on the ridge, turned the tide in the battle and forced the Japanese, on the opposing ridgeline at Ioribaiwa, to retreat. We descend into the Ua-Ule creek valley for lunch and then we climb to Ioribaiwa Village for camp.
The morning starts with a climb to the top of Ioribaiwa Ridge. It was here that the Japanese were forced to retreat through exhaustion and starvation, despite being within sight of the ocean and the lights of Port Moresby, their ultimate goal.
After crossing Ofi Creek we make camp at the village of Nauro, perched on a hillside in the Maguli Range.
descend to the Goldie River and then climb Imita, the first ridgeline of the Range. It was at this point where the Australians, camped on the ridge, turned the tide in the battle and forced the Japanese, on the opposing ridgeline at Ioribaiwa, to retreat. We descend into the Ua-Ule creek valley for lunch and then we climb to Ioribaiwa Village for camp.
We make our way through the Brown River valley, where the main crossing provides the most pleasant swimming hole on the track. We then climb up and over ‘the Wall’ to Menari, one of the largest villages in the Range.
We ascend Brigade Hill, the site of one of the most famous battles of the campaign.
It was here that a night-time Japanese flanking manoeuvre saw Brigadier Potts cut off from the three Battalions under his command. The 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions managed to regain the Australian lines, but the 2/27th Battalion, having been in the battle for only one day, became lost in the jungle for three arduous weeks before finally re-emerging in the foothills near Port Moresby.
We pass through the village of Efogi before making camp at Naduri.
We make our way up and over Mount Bellamy, the highest part of the track with an altitude of 2100 meters.
In this area we see some of the track’s more interesting geographical features: the high altitude ‘moss forests’ and the Myola Lakes, huge dry lakebeds that served as important dropping grounds for Australian supplies.
We make camp at Templeton’s Crossing, named after ‘Uncle’ Sam Templeton, Captain of B Company 39th Battalion, a popular and courageous officer who lost his life in the early stages of the battle.
We pass through Eora Creek village. Now abandoned, the wartime village was a regimental aid post during the Australian withdrawal, made famous by footage from Damien Parer’s Academy-Award winning documentary ‘Kokoda Front Line’.
We cross to the other side of the range on a path less traveled to experience the beautiful village of Abuari, where the 2/16th Battalion held off a Japanese flanking movement while the main battle went ahead at Isurava.
Welcomed by the local families Abuari we experience true village life and explore this breath taking location. A tour of the school, gardens and church are included in this great day.
We head off a little later today with a river crossing down at Eora Creek. We pass through the village of Alola and make camp at the Isurava Memorial Site.
Dawn service at the Isurava Memorial. At Isurava we will hear how the 2/14th Infantry Battalion of the AIF joined the beleaguered 39th in the fight against the Japanese.
The breathtaking Isurava Memorial is testament to the courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice of the diggers. We then descend the western ridge of the Eora Creek valley, passing through the fields of choko vines to the village of Deniki.
From here it is just a short descent into the Yodda Valley, though the rubber plantations to the village of Kokoda and the end of the track. We spend the night at Kokoda.
We fly back to Port Moresby on a morning charter flight from Kokoda. We visit the Bomana War Cemetery and have a final group dinner at our hotel in the Port Moresby CBD.
After a nice rest, breakfast, swim in the pool and a hot shower we are transported to Port Moresby International Airport and depart this amazing country knowing we have explored the history, culture, people and Kokoda Track.
April 17 – 27 (Anzac Day Trek): Full
Fundraising
Trekkers will create their own personal fundraising page on the Raisely platform for online card donations to the Be BlueRock Foundation.
Fundraising can be a little bit daunting but it needn’t be. You see… great fundraisers aren’t born. They are made. Anyone can become a great fundraiser by simply getting out there, sharing their story and implementing some fantastic initiatives to bring in the funds.
You are required to raise a minimum of $3,000 to participate in the bike ride. It might seem like a lot but we are here to help you every step of the way.
Inclusions
10 Nights in PNG
2 Nights in Hotel
Twin share hotel accomodation
8 Day Kokoda Trek
All Meals Included
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks while on the track and in hotels
Personal Tent
No sharing or bivvy camping
All transfers included
All transfers and ground travel arrangements via private bus
Chartered flight
Charter flight Kokoda-Port Moresby – Not a shared charter.
Experienced Australian historical guide
Highly experienced guide with First Aid and Working With Children’s check
Specialist Knowledge
Comprehensive narrative of the Kokoda Campaign
Full Access
Access to all historical sites on the track inc. Isurava Battle Site, Brigade Hill, Myola Lakes and Bomana Cemetery
Local Assistance & Support
Trained and experienced local PNG head guide and group porter crew
Safety Contingencies
Emergency Satellite communications and 24 hour Australian support network.
Risk Management
Detailed Risk Management and Risk Assessment of the Kokoda Track
Public Liability Insurance
Full Public Liability Insurance is included with all of our expeditions.
Officially Licensed
We work with an official Kokoda Track Authority licensed tour operator
Full Permissions
Kokoda Track Authority track permit
Additional Inclusions
The following items are also included in this specific package:
International flights
Personal Porter
Comprehensive Travel Insurance including Medical Evacuation
Not Included
Porter Tips
Soft drink/Alcohol
Single room supplement
Travel Insurance Premium above $200 (depending on age and pre-existing medical conditions)