Hey dont play down 55 coz thats what I am and I walked it ok in November without too much training.My friend was 65 and a lot fitter than myself and she did extremely well. Ran into her in Brisbane in January and she still says it was the best holiday she has ever had.Besides if you can ride that far on your bike, Kokoda will suit you perfectly…[Read more]

Hi there, who says you cant walk at 14, two students did that last year. One guy (James McRae) was from Sydney and the other a young woman from Melbourne.Why not read the journal written by John McRae his father to see what he had to say about their trek. James was the life of the trek and all the other trekkers were amazed with his personality…[Read more]

Personally I found my legs did not like gaitors and I ended up with rashes on both of them. Bev my friend who is a nursing sister who walked with me, suggested I do away with them completely and wear long pants. This I did and had no further problems.I did not run into any mozzies out there but the occasional leech and my personal porter quickly…[Read more]

I think personally whatever you choose, test it out yourself before coming here and see how you sleep. My husband and son went to a camping store and were advised to buy hammocks. They hated them and my husband said his wasnt too bad but my son who is 6ft 2 felt really uncomfortable and did not get much sleep.For my own trek I purchased a light…[Read more]

On the same day as meeting up with Stan Bisset & Bob McDonald, on the way home from the Sunshine Coast they popped in on Murray Jones (Team Kokoda) in Redcliffe who was expecting them around 7pm. (Murray runs Team Kokoda but sub-contracts the land content of his treks to us here in PNG).Murray Jones on the Kokoda Trail during his Anzac Day Trek…[Read more]

Another trip for them to recall to their friends and relatives on their return to PNG was a visit to Beverley & Ted Howell's residence in Brisbane. Bev who walked with Gail and the guys in November had such a great time that she has given out all cards she took back home with her following her trip and asked for more.Bev works as a nursing sister…[Read more]

Hi there, I think you seem much fitter than myself and I managed to walk the trail in 9 days. Re your ankles, I was advised to wear ankle straps which you can purchase at a chemist store and it helped me a lot. I suggest you purchase a pair and start walking with them. There are various sizes so make sure you get one to fit and that feel…[Read more]

Tomorrow we fly home to Sydney. We came to PNG hoping to learn about the history of the Kokoda Track, enjoy the diverse and interesting landscape and to gain some understanding of the people and their culture. In every respect my expectations have been exceeded.PNG is an underdeveloped country. There are obvious signs of health problems, low…[Read more]

I cannot speak highly enough of our guide Eric and all of his porters. They were a humble, kind, warm and caring team, ready and willing to attend to our every need and to ensure we safely completed the Track. Although shy, they were also clever, articulate, resourceful and highly skilled bushmen. A large part of the success of this trip is due…[Read more]

Last night we shouted our porters a meal at the Gateway Hotel. All 31 of the group were able to attend plus Russell and Gail, the company owners. Speeches were made and certificates presented. The boys sang a number of their songs, accompanied on guitar by Davidson. They have magnificent voices.Myself and James having just been presented with…[Read more]

At the bus pick up point, we enjoy fresh bananas, a can of soft drink, Anzac biscuits and sandwiches of tinned corned beef. From here it is a one hour drive to the main road and a further 40km to Port Moresby.We stop at the beautifully kept Bomana War Cemetery on the outskirts of Port Moresby.The sight of more than 3,500 white head stones is a…[Read more]

Our guardian angels who helped get us home, the boys from Kokoda:Picture_236.jpg

Our group at Ower's Corner:Picture_240.jpg

The Kokoda campaign was from 23 July 1942 until 13 November 1942.We have conquered the Track, but still have another 5km or more to walk to a pick up point for a 4WD vehicle due to the state of the road.Picture_223.jpg

From the memorial at Ower's Corner:"Kokoda Memorial Arch"The memorial symbolises the strength and the fortitude of the Australian and Papuan soldiers who served in the Kokoda campaign of 1942. The six vertical steel columns stand for the six states and territories of the Australian Commonwealth. The steel struts linking the vertical columns are…[Read more]

MONDAY, 5 JULY 2004 – PORT MORESBYOur last day on the track.We are up at 5.00am hoping to enjoy an early start.The boys cook some dry bake flour in the frying pan over the fire using the dough left over from the bamboo cooking the previous evening.We depart at 7.30am and after about 45 minutes reach Goldie River. Boots off and we wade through the…[Read more]

The humidity is extreme at this bush camp and you can almost feel your clothes rotting on your back. During the evening, I am bitten by several leeches and our tent is like a sauna.I am feeling slightly charged from the walk and have stayed up talking to the boys. They teach me how to cook damper in bamboo or baked flour in bamboo stick as they…[Read more]

Walking for another 1' hours, we finally reach our campsite, which is situated on a stream between the Goldie River and the site of the former village of Uberi, at around 5.00pm. The site is crowded with other groups who are walking in a northerly direction. It is their first night on the track and they all look very fresh and are naively…[Read more]

Imita Range is a steep and challenging climb. Despite the slow pace of his walk in the morning, James leads the entire group and is first to the Gap, followed by myself and a porter, Rod.It is a great feeling of achievement (and relief) to be at the top of this ridge which is regarded by many of the porters to be the toughest climb on the Track.…[Read more]

At the top of the Maguli Range we take in a panoramic view of Nauro, the valley and surrounding mountains.Everyone enjoys a well-earned break at Ofi Creek before we take on the challenge of Ioribaiwa Ridge.On our descent from the Ridge, where there are many weapon pits, we pick up a view of Imita Ridge and can clearly see Imita Gap. At Ua-Ule…[Read more]