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""There were countless acts of unrecognised courage as the young Diggers held on grimly. They ignored their lack of sleep, their hunger and their fear as they waited for the next assault. Some positions rebuffed as many as ten human-wave assaults in a day. The Japanese dead piled up around their perimeters like sacks of grain. But they kept on coming." The Spirit of the Digger

ANZAC 2012 Great Walks Special Offer! Kokoda - Buna - Gona - Sanananda

Preferred Supplier

We are a Kokoda Track Foundation GOLD TREK PARTNER

Official Licenced Operator

History

The Kokoda track was originally a little used rugged walking path running from Ower's Corner to Wairopi, a small village on the Kumusi River on the northern side of the Owen Stanley Ranges. It was used by nationals to link villages and a few prospectors and plantation owners.

Japanese troops landed at Gona in 1942 and, as a result of their loss in the naval Coral Sea battle, rapidly developed their initial exploratory plans into a full scale offensive to capture Port Moresby.

After initial action at Awala they forced a heavily out-numbered, poorly equipped and inadequatey supplied Australian force into a series of desperate fighting actions as they withdrew back to Imita Ridge, a mere 8km from the road junction to Port Moresby.

The Japanese held the next ridge just above Ioribaiwa, but had suffered severe losses and broken supply lines. They were ordered to retreat and establish strong defensive positions on the north coast.

Several difficult, desperate and costly battles were fought as the Australians forced the Japanese back and finally recaptured Kokoda. Australian forces then fought their way over the Kumusi River at Wairopi and so began the even more bitter, more costly, horrendous battles to capture the heavily defended fortified Japanese beachheads at Gona, Buna and Sanananda.

Gallery

Kokoda Trek Gallery

Itineraries

Kokoda - By Track

Kokoda - By Track
Kokoda - Kokoda to Beaches
Kokoda - Coast to Coast
Kokoda - Customised

KOKODA - BY TRACK

The traditional Kokoda trek over the rugged Owen Stanley Ranges.

Leave your hotel and travel by vehicle to the Bomana War Cemetery then up the steep Sogeri Rd to Owers Corner, the start of your trek. Down to Goldie River, past old Uberi site to Goodwater. Climb near the infamous Golden Stairs, up and over Imita Ridge to criss-cross Ua-Ule Creek, up to Ioribaiwa village, down to Ofi Creek and climb up the Maguli Range. Through New Nauro to Menari and the long climb up Brigade Hill then down to Efogi1. Pass through Efogi2, Naduri and Myola Junction before ascending Mt Bellamy to Kokoda Gap and down through Templeton's #1 and #2. Cross the battle site at Eora Creek to Alola and then to the magnificent Isurava Memorial, Kingsbury's Rock and explore this major battle site. Your last long descent begins to Deniki, through Hoi to Kokoda govt station. travel by vehicle to Popondetta. Those not continuing to explore the slaughter fields of Gona, Sanananda and Buna will board their flight back to Moresby hotel.

Port Moresby - Uberi - Ioribaiwa - New Nauro - Menari - Efogi1 - Efogi2 - Myola Junction - Templeltons1 - Templetons2 - Eora - Isurava - Deniki - Hoi - Kokoda - Popondetta - Port Moresby

Kokoda - Kokoda to Beaches

Kokoda - By Track
Kokoda - Kokoda to Beaches
Kokoda - Coast to Coast
Kokoda - Customised

KOKODA - KOKODA TO BEACHES

Reach Kokoda by the way the Japanese did it from Gona, Buna and Sanananda

Specially designed for those who want to pay tribute at Kokoda but are daunted by or incapable of traversing the physically demanding Trek over the Owen Stanley Ranges. This physically easy extremely safe vehicular tour with limited walking lets you experience the primitive yet comfortable cultural village life of PNG, their equivalent of a home-stay. You will be based at our Sanananda Huggins Guesthouse and explore the forgotten slaughter fields of the northern beach-heads where Australia lost twice as many men as it lost on the track to Kokoda. We have exclusive access to some of these sites. This tour can coincide for you to meet trekkers at Kokoda either independently or as an accompanying person to complete the Kokoda Coast to Coast trek.

Port Moresby - Popondetta - Sanananda - Buna - Gona - Huggins Roadblock - Beachhead Battle Sites - Wairopi - Oivi - Kokoda - Popondetta - Port Moresby

Kokoda - Coast to Coast

Kokoda - By Track
Kokoda - Kokoda to Beaches
Kokoda - Coast to Coast
Kokoda - Customised

KOKODA - COAST TO COAST

Track and Flat combined as the men did if they survived long enough.

Kokoda - Customised

Kokoda - By Track
Kokoda - Kokoda to Beaches
Kokoda - Coast to Coast
Kokoda - Customised

KOKODA - CUSTOMISED

Create your own itinerary to develop your own unique Kokoda experience!

2012 Trips and Prices

2012 Kokoda Treks & Tours - Dates & Prices

Dates Duration Details Difficulty Price

Apr 17 - Apr 26 9 nights in country Kokoda to Beaches Easy (suits all age groups & fitness) $3250 pp

Apr 24 - May 3 9 nights in country Kokoda to Beaches Easy (suits all age groups & fitness) $3250 pp

ONLY TWO PLACES REMAINING

Great Walks readers please click here to complete Contact Form and claim your discount

•Please contact us if you don't see dates to see you

•For groups of 6 or more we can schedule to meet your requirements

•Price is per person

•Prices exclude International flights & Domestic flights within Australia

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Airport greeting & Hotel transfers

2 nights twin share accommodation at 3.5/4 star Hotel or Lodge in Port Moresby

2 nights twin share accommodation at 2.5 star Comfort Inn, Popondetta

Attendance at the 2012 Anzac Day Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery & subsequent traditional Gunfire Breakfast at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby

Day Tour of Port Moresby & surrounds including Ower's Corner, the start of the Kokoda Track - fully escorted & safe (a real eye-opener)

Flight to Girua Airport (Popondetta) & return by commercial flight, not small 9 seater charter aircraft to the grass Kokoda airstrip

Travel by vehicle to Kokoda passing through the historic sites of Wairope, Gorari & Oivi, visit the Kokoda Plateau, Museum & Memorials, return to Popondetta, see the rarely visited Memorial Park & travel to Sanananda.

Sanananda is your base to visit surrounding battlefield areas including Gona & Buna. Access to some of these sites is only available to this Tour through exclusive land-owner approvals

All site fees

Fully escorted throughout with national personnel & Australian led

Personal porter wher applicable

Rural Remote Certificated First Aid personnel

Itinerary suits all age groups of any fitness level

All internal PNG travel, meals & accommodation. Outside Port Moresby & Popondetta accommodation is village guesthouse - primitive, comfortable, cultural & safe

Pre-trip advice & full briefing

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

International flights to/from Port Moresby & domestic flights within Australia.

Medical assessment, medicines or innoculations.

Personal First Aid & personal care items.

Passport

Visa for entry into PNG

Personal Travel Insurance which must include emergency evacuation.

Personal expenses, phone calls, drinks, room service.

Trekking gear list items

All expenses relating to any medical or other evacuation

Souvenirs, gifts, tips

Cancellation fees

Trek Preparation Checklist

Gear Checklist

You will probably already have most of the personal gear you will require. It doesn't matter how old it is - the more worn in and comfortable the better! Nor will you have to bring anything back if you don't wish to - anything left behind will be greatly appreciated by nationals.

Importantly, DO NOT BUY ANYTHING YET! You will be given valuable tips in our newsletters.

You are limited to 16kg weight in internal PNG Flights.. This weight limit is strictly enforced.

Items you will require:

Sleeping bag compact & light rated 0 to 5 degrees. Liner optional.

Sleeping mat light cushioned or inflatable 3/4 size adequate

Mosquito net optional, supplied for you at northern beaches

Walking pole/s, essential, one or two, your choice

Torch, small with one extra set lithium batteries

Head torch with one set spare lithium batteries

Mug, not breakable or meltable

Deep plate, knife, fork, spoon

Water bottles 3 x 1 litre (preferred) or camelback

Boots well worn in with spare laces

Runners, old are adequate

Gaiters, optional

Shirts or Tshirts for trekking (2) + 1 long sleeve

Underwear/bras (3) well worn in & comfortable

Walking shorts or trousers (2) + 1 long trousers

Thermal top, light

Socks 5 pair

Light compact jumper or jacket

Hat or cap

Microfibre towel, 1 medium general use, 1 small for feet

Sweat rag, (optional)

Light rain jacket or poncho

Skins sports shorts or longs, (optional)

Ziplocks/Plastic bags/Stuff sacks to keep things dry

Tooth brush & small toothpaste

Shaving gear optional

Toilet paper rolls (2) in ziplock

Soap

Comb optional

Ladies hygeine products

Personal First Aid kit

Personal medications

Doctor prescribed medications

DEET Bushmans with sunscreen tubes (2) essential

Tubs electrolyte powder (2)

Water purification tablets (optional)

Travel calm tablets optional

Foot powder anti-fungal or baby powder

Vasline small (optional)

Sunglasses (optional)

Camera with spare lithium batteries

Mobile phone (optional)

Kina cash

Passport

Credit Card

Pen with small notebook optional

Lollies (optional) - not chocolate (barley sugar, snakes, nibbles etc.)

Trek Blog

Port Moresby to Menari

Port Moresby to Menari
Menari to Isurava
Isurava to Sanananda
Sanananda to Gona

Port Moresby to Menari

PART 1

The adventure begins at Port Moresby

PART 2

Uberi Campsite to the top of Maguli Range

PART 3

Maguli Range to Menari

All videos courtesy of BushyJacko Productions © 2010

Menari to Isurava

Port Moresby to Menari

Menari to Isurava

Isurava to Sanananda

Sanananda to Gona

MENARI TO ISURAVA

PART 5

Village of Efogi 2 over the range to Templetons 2

PART 4

Menari to Efogi 2

PART 6

Templetons Crossing to Isurava

All videos courtesy of BushyJacko Productions © 2010

Isurava to Sanananda

Port Moresby to Menari

Menari to Isurava

Isurava to Sanananda

Sanananda to Gona

ISURAVA TO SANANANDA

PART 7

Isurava Memorial

PART 9

Popendetta, Sanananda and surrounds

PART 8

Through the forest to Kokoda Village

All videos courtesy of BushyJacko Productions © 2010

Sanananda to Gona

Port Moresby to Menari

Menari to Isurava

Isurava to Sanananda

Sanananda to Gona

SANANANDA TO GONA

PART 10

Boat ride to Gona

PART 12

Battle sites of Buna

PART 11

Road of Bones

All videos courtesy of BushyJacko Productions © 2010

Contact

PO Box 113

Popondetta

Oro Province

Papau New Guinea

PO Box 744

St Agnes

South Australia 5097

Ph: +61 425 853 553