Guided Treks: Guided treks utilise an Australian leader to provide insight into the Kokoda's history.; Discover more about Guided Treks »

Self Guided Treks: Self-guided treks have experienced and friendly Koiari expedition leaders and guides.; Discover more about Self Guided Treks »

Welcome to Adventure Kokoda Treks

Kokoda Video - Click here

Adventure Kokoda specialises in historical treks across Kokoda. We follow the footsteps of the brave over the original 'wartime trail' which encompass the entire Kokoda campaign. This includes the historic 'golden staircase on Imita Ridge; the Eastern side of the Yodda Valley defended by the 2/16th AIF and 53rd Militia Battalions; fire support bases at Lake Myola 1; the major casualty evacuation stations at Lake Myola 2; and abandoned wartime village areas bypassed by today's eco-tourist track.

Our trek leaders are Kokoda military historians - most are regular ex-servicemen with professional command experience. Our Kokoda treks are a powerful blend of historical battlefield briefings and the emotional experiences of our diggers. Our trek leaders draw on their personal experiences in the military and their long-term relationships with WW11 veterans to tell the epic story of the Kokoda campaign.

Adventure Kokoda has established close relationships with Koiari and Orokaiva villagers along the Kokoda Trail over the past 17 years. The company only employs PNG guides and carriers from these villages and generously supports schools and medical centre along the track. In return for this support local villagers provide warm welcomes and traditional sing-sings for our groups.

The safety of our trekkers on Kokoda is paramount. All Adventure Kokoda trek leaders are qualified in first aid and emergency evacuation procedures. They are equipped with satellite phones and VHF radios and remain in constant contact with our rear link in Port Moresby and each village radio operator along the way.

Kokoda Campaign Treks - Australian Trek Leaders

Kokoda campaign treks are led by experienced Australian expedition leaders to provide an insight into the military history of the Kokoda campaign. Trekkers explore each of the major battle sites along the track and receive detailed briefings on the history associated with each one. We lead platoon sized groups to allow our trekkers to experience the cameraderie our diggers would have felt in similar sized units during the Kokoda campaign.

These treks follow the wartime tracks that encompass the whole of the Kokoda campaign. This includes original 'golden staircase over Imita Ridge; fire support and logistic support bases at Lake Myola One and Two; and the eastern side of the Yodda Valley defended by the 53rd and 2/16th Battalions.

These treks are longer and tougher than the more popular eco-tourist route across today's Kokoda Trail - but they are far more rewarding.

Kokoda Patrols - PNG Trek Leaders

Kokoda Patrols are led by experienced PNG Koiari and Orokaiva expedition leaders (sons of the legendary Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels). Kokoda Patrols follow the footsteps of the 39th Militia Battalion as they marched across the Owen Stanley Ranges towards Kokoda to meet the advancing Japanese army.

Our PNG Trek Leaders are from villages along the track. They have an intimate knowledge of the culture and environment of the track and are trained in expedition leadership. Their villages provide warm traditional welcomes to our groups because of our long association with them over the past 17 years.

Our Kokoda Patrols provide a more economical option for trekkers as the groups are smaller (12 - 15 trekkers) and they are not on the track as long.

Kokoda Youth Challenge

Adventure Kokoda and the RSL Services Clubs Association conduct youth leadership programs across the Kokoda Trail. These are sponsored by local RSL and Ex-Service clubs. The most recent program was featured on the ABC Compass television documentary series.

*Click here to join Adventure Kokoda on Facebook

Click here to read our latest Kokoda Niusleta

Click here to listen to Slim Dusty on Kokoda

Adventure Kokoda Treks have featured on:

Channel 9 - Getaway Program (October 13, 20 & 27, 2005)
Channel 9 - The Angry Anderson Challenge
Channel 10 - Father Chris Riley's Youth Off The Streets
Channel 7 - Witness: Mud, Sweat and Tears
Channel 7 - The Sydney Swans Kokoda Challenge
Channel 7 - Camp Dare: On the Right Track

Media Articles on Adventure Kokoda Treks include:

Adventure Kokoda treks are for those who want to:

Learn more about one of the most significant military campaigns ever fought in defence of Australia;
Experience the hospitality of the Koiari and Orokaiva people in the 'land of a thousand cultures';
Enjoy the wild beauty of a pristine jungle environment; and
Conquer one of the world's most challenging and spectacular treks.

Public Liability Insurance Protection for Kokoda

Adventure Kokoda has 15 years experience leading groups across the Kokoda track. As a result of its exemplary safety record the company has obtained public liability insurance protection for trekkers. It is one of only three trekking companies to offer this essential protection for the rugged and remote trek across the Owen Stanley Ranges.

VX131849, Private Keith Charles Lynn

Adventure Kokoda treks are dedicated to the memory of VX 131849, Pte Keith Charles Lynn (pictured) from Orbost, who served in New Guinea during the war in the Pacific.

Adventure Kokoda was founded by his son, Major Charlie Lynn, who has led 48 expedtions across the track. He wrote:

'My interest in the Kokoda campaign goes back to early childhood readings of the 'Khaki and Green' series of books produced at the end of the Pacific War. These books featured short stories, poems and illustrations of diggers who fought in the battles that saved Australia. One of these was my late father, VX 131849, Private Keith (Charlie) Lynn who served in Milne Bay, Lae and Finschafen in New Guinea.

'The stories I read were etched in my mind from an early age as were my memories of Anzac Day parades and reunions in our small Gippsland town of Orbost. I now know that these stories and memories were replicated in every town throughout Australia after the war. Through the telling of these stories one word captured the spirit of our involvement in the Pacific War - Kokoda!

'When I first walked the track in 1991 I was sadly disappointed to find that this important icon had been ignored by successive governments since the end of the war - the jungle had reclaimed the battlesites; no monuments or memorials had been erected by Government along the track; the legendary 'fuzzy-wuzzy angels' had never been issued with a medal; the study of the campaign is not part of our education systems; and no feature film had ever been produced.

'I felt strongly that the spirit of Kokoda deserved better recognition than this.

'I therefore organised a special commemorative trek for the 50th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign in April 1992. The trek featured as the cover story of The Bulletin magazine. This led to increased public interest in the story of the diggers who fought against all the odds during the darkest days of our history in 1942.

'Since then I have led 48 expeditions involving Australians from all walks of life across the track. During this time we have identified the battlesites of Mission Ridge, Brigade Hill, Isurava, Eora Creek and Deniki. We have encouraged the Federal Government to erect a magnificient memorial at Isurava and have established the Kokoda Track Foundation to have the track proclaimed as a National Memorial Park.

'With more and more Australians now wanting to explore Kokoda we have established a specialist trekking company and enlisted the support of experienced trek leaders with a passionate interest in the military historical aspects of the Kokoda campaign. Our aim is to ensure that trekkers can complete the journey safely and that it is both an educative and a commemorative experience for them.

Together we will ensure the spirit of Kokoda is never forgotten'.

Major Charlie Lynn

Charlie Lynn is in demand to speak on the Kokoda campaign. Charlie's Charlie Lynn at Efogi presentations focus on the historical aspects of the campaign and the quality of leadership at the strategic and tactical level. He is listed with the following:

Charlie also speaks to veteran, community and school groups around Australia as part of his commitment to the spirit of Kokoda.

Latest News on Kokoda

Plan to Mine Kokoda

A proposal by Australian Mining Company, Frontier Resources, to mine a section of the Kokoda Trail has caused a great deal of concern amongst the veteran community and those who have trekked Kokoda.

Adventure Kokoda has devoted a special Kokoda Niusleta on the issue. You can read it by clicking on the following link:

. Mining Kokoda by Charlie Lynn of Adventure Kokoda

PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare accepts Strategic Plan for Kokoda

Charlie Lynn established the Kokoda Track Foundation in 2003 with funding provided by Adventure Kokoda. Charlie's objective was to develop a strategic plan for Kokoda to be proclaimed as a national memorial park. The plan took three years to complete and included workshops in Sydney, Port Moresby, Efogi Village and Kokoda. It was developed in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (PNG), the University of Technology Sydney and Templeton-Galt. Colonel David Knaggs from Davendish Consulting was engaged to facilitate workshops and write the plan. Participants included clan leaders, landowners, eco-trekkers, trek operators, the RSK, PNG Tourism, the National Cultural Commission, the Kokoda Track Authority and Rotary.

On 25 April 2006 PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare was our official guest at a presentation dinner hosted by Adventure Kokoda. The purpose of the dinner was to present our strategic plan to the PNG Government for implementation. Dame Carol Kidu and Sir Peter Barter, both senior Ministers in Sir Michael's cabinet also attended. Sir Michael thanked the Chairman of the Kokoda Track Foundation, Charlie Lynn (pictured) for the plan and advised that his government would work with the Australian government to implement the strategy as a model for eco-tourism in PNG.

Click here to read The KTF Strategic Plan for the Kokoda Trail

The Kokoda Track Foundation Inaugural Report

When Charlie Lynn first trekked Kokoda in 1991 and discovered both the track and the battlefields had been neglected by successive governments for 50 years it reminded him of a neglected jungle shrine. He then decided to establish the Kokoda Track Foundation to develop a strategic plan for Kokoda. The Foundation was funded by Adventure Kokoda and, with the willing assistance of a number of people they have established scholarship programs, provided funds for schools and medical centres along the Kokoda track and completed a strategic plan. The inaugural report for the Kokoda Track Foundation provides details of their progress over the first two years.

Click here to read The Kokoda Track Foundation Inaugural Report

Threat by Landowners to close Kokoda

Recent reports regarding a threat by landowners along the Kokoda Trail to close the track if the PNG government does not provide funding to the Kokoda Track Authority need to be put in context.

The Kokoda Track Authority is a legislated management body for the Kokoda Trail. Membership of the Authority comprises landowner representatives, PNG Tourism, the National Cultural Commission and the Central and Provincial Governments.

Click here to read the media release issued by Charlie Lynn of Adventure Kokoda on 20 December 2006 in regard to the landowner threat on Kokoda.

2008 Kokoda Youth Challenge Program

The RSL Services Clubs Association have announced the 2008 Kokoda Youth Challenge Program will be conducted across the Kokoda Trail during the period 14 to 24 August 2008. Click on the following links to find details of the 2008 Kokoda Youth Challenge program:

. The RSL Kokoda Youth Challenge Program

. Selection Criteria for the Kokoda Youth Challenge

Kokoda Niusletas

Kokoda: A Neglected Jungle Shrine

A Strategic Plan for Kokodsa

The Kokoda Bursary Program

The Kokoda Reunion Dinner

A Discussion Paper on Eco-Trekking Across Kokoda

World Heritage Listing Support for Kokoda

Kokoda and the Spirit of the Kimberley

2008 Kokoda Reunion Dinner - A Salute to the 39th