Black Cat's Historical briefThere is so much WWII history attached to 'Black Cat'. Some of the bloodiest battles were fought during the WWII along the trail between the Japanese Imperial and the Allied Forces where Salamaua was recaptured from the Japanese Imperial Forces in 1942. The scares of WWII still remain along the track. Live mortars,…[Read more]

The enchanting sounds of the forest as it comes alive with sounds of different bird species including the famous bird of paradise and the unkempt beauty of its wildlife, the trees, plants and other animals makes it all worth the challenge. Here you will have many surprises for your rolls of films as you catch a glimpse of the teeming wildlife and…[Read more]

For the most adventurous trekker this is perhaps one of the extremely tough adventure but also a ?must-do? for anyone who has special interests in war relics.True to say, if you are looking for old war relics ? you won?t be disappointed. In fact the track itself is covered from its head to the tail with live ammunitions like mortars, bombs,…[Read more]

Leeches, and as one trekker puts it, alien leeches (because of some unidentified coloured species of green and white leeches,) once aware of your presence have only one thing in mind ?Give! Give!?You'd do better than to stop in their territory and try to wipe them off in the first instance. Keep walking and once you reach a free-from-leech-attack…[Read more]

The Black Cat Trail for one is a real thrill for an adventurer looking for that extra challenge.It runs from Salamaua, cuts through and between the steep peaks and falls off the rough terrain and down to flowing streams that comes alive with the wake of its new day, and ends at Wau ? the old gold mining area.Some have described it as the toughest…[Read more]

I would like to personally thank & acknowledge Kokoda Trekking and especially Gail Thomas & Russell Eroro for their wonderful contribution towards Kokoda Hospital – for the people of Kokoda – in their selfless donation of an Ambulance.It may seem small to Gail & Russell as business partners of Kokoda Trekking Limited – but it is indeed a very BIG…[Read more]

Former army sergeant Bill Guest, 84, from the 39th Battalion, said his 10 week jungle stint on the kokoda Track had been a nightmare of rain, mud and disease."We were always wet – by the end our socks were fused to our feet," he said.Maj Gen Crews said it was ironic that the consistent rainfall – a soldier's worst nightmare – had now made Kokoda…[Read more]

In return for using the RSL emblem on each coffee product, 7 per cent of all Australian profits, estimated at $ 2100,000 a year, would go to the RSL to ensure the memory of the battle at Kokoda survived, Major General Crews said.He said a percentage would also be donated to the Kokoda Track's traditional landowners, and the Koiari people."The name…[Read more]

Such is the track that has indeed become impassible for motor vehicles leaving people from the villages scattered across mountain tops walking on foot from one end of the track towards the other.For one who has a special bondage with this area ? you can be easily moved to tears. Well perhaps not only for the emotionally attached, but also to those…[Read more]

People who wrote about their experiences while trekking through this disheveled WWII route have come to put their own name for it. Dudley McCarthy, a Sydney born soldier and diplomat in his 1959 volume spoke of it as an ?evil trail? when giving an account of one of the horrendous battles that took place in Kokoda. He wrote: ?So, quietly, the…[Read more]

Now a renowned national walking path, the track symbolizes a significant relationship between Australians and the natives living along the trail. Thus many still come to walk in honor of their fellow country men who fought and died during 1942?s battle waged in Kokoda against the Japanese forces.Perhaps what remains, of this once-bloodied trail is…[Read more]

Perhaps a striking account of such a tale would be this one: ?Along this track, day after day, the walking sick and wounded passed and plodded Carrying improvised stretchers, one or two blankets lashed with native string or vine to two long poles spread by stout traverse bars, as many as eight or ten native bearers would traverse the track day…[Read more]

QUOTELOO Posted on 15 Mar 2005, 10:12 AM I am walking the track in June – Do I need sandles to cross the creeks – to save getting my boot wet. Loo  Hi Loo,You will definitely need sandles – Yes, if you don't want to get your boot wet and prefer not to walk barefoot across the river. You will need to walk around in it once you settle down at the…[Read more]

The same day they drove up to see Stan Bisset, along with Gail & John Thomas, they were invited to lunch by Bob McDonald's (McDonald's Corner fame) who also resides on the Sunshine Coast.Bob cooked up a loaf of bread in his breadcooker (can't get any fresher than that) which inspired us to purchase our own, one for here in Port Moresby and the…[Read more]

Early 2005 Russell & Eric accompanied John & Gail Thomas to a barbeque put on by Peter Holles and his family who trekked from the 5-10th September, 2004. In attendance were all members of the ON ON hash group including Michael Holles who flew up from Sydney for the occasion. Peter Holles was so impressed with our guides and porters that he has…[Read more]

While in Australia the guys also had the chance to meet some of our ex-trekkers who had the privilege to trek with the boys through Kokoda Trekking Limited. They managed to catch up with Mark Priest (Anzac Day Trek 2004) when along with Gail they were invited to lunch at a hotel and later in the afternoon a visit to his home. This was a real…[Read more]

Like you may have found discovered that it was a totally new experience for you during your visit to PNG and out on the Kokoda Trail ? so it was the same with Russell and Eric who returned from their trip last Sunday. Both men said they had a tremendous time and relayed some great experiences while touring around Northern NSW, the Gold Coast &…[Read more]

Since it was their first trip to Australia, the guys visited just about every corner of Surfers Paradise, Northern NSW and a trip up to the Sunshine Coast during their four-week stay. Although they had much to tell, they chose only to disclose their most memorable moments. One experience, they will treasure for as long as they live, was the…[Read more]

WHO DARES WINS..Conquer Kokoda Trail in 6 days????Yep I'm in for it – lets do it!

:agree: Yes she did it! Congratulations & Welcome Gail to the Kokoda Club. Great to have you as part of the kokoda family.You know, I seriously thought you wouldn't last another day on the trail..hahaha But you have proved that just about anyone could do it be they involved in sports or not – in other words physically fit or not.I mean who would…[Read more]