Major Charlie Lynn's Premium 10-day trek
Over the past 27 years Charlie has developed the ultimate trek itinerary to allow trekkers to maximise the value of their pilgrimage.
His Premium Treks include visits to all battlefields, fire support bases, logistic areas and evacuation centres along the original Kokoda Trail.
In addition to this we take a day to explore the mystical, historical Myola lakes which were considered to be tabu by the local Koiari tribes from the beginning of time until 1942.
We also trek across to the eastern side of the range that was defended by the 53rd and 2/16th Battalions.
We provide superior battlefield presentations regarding the strategy of the Kokoda campaign; the phases of war; the principles applicable to each phase; our battlefield tactics; and soldiers recollections.
We follow the original wartime trail mapped by the Royal Australian Army Survey Corps in 1981 and rediscovered through numerous mapping expeditions led by Major Charlie Lynn over a three year period from 2010 - 2013.
What's included
- Meals
- All transportation
- All accommodation
- All trek fees
- Mosquito-proof tents
Trek Itinerary
- Flight to Port Moresby
- Owers Corner to Imita Base
- Imita Base to Ofi Creek
- Ofi Creek to Agulogo Creek
- Agulogo Creek to Efogi Village
- Efogi to Bomber's Campsite
- Explore Lake Myola from Bomber's Campsite
- Bomber's Campsite to Templeton's Crossing
- Templeton's Crossing to Isurava Memorial
- Isurava Memorial to Hoi Village
- Hoi - Kokoda - Port Moresby
- Depart Port Moresby
Dates & Availability for Charlie's Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek
Photos from the Charlie's Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek
FAQs about this trek
Security and service are our main consideration in Port Moresby. Our Adventure Kokoda groups stay at a secure and comfortable lodge on the Sogeri plateau - about halfway between Port Moresby and the start of the Kokoda Trail at Owers Corner.
The lodge is owned and operated by Warren Bartlett, a former Patrol Officer (known as 'kiaps') who has lived in Port Moresby for 50 years. The lodge is equipped with a satellite dish, satellite phones and a VHF radio base station.
The average size of our groups in 2017 was 12 trekkers - groups are larger during school holiday periods.
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'Blackbirding' was a term associated with the kidnapping of Pacific Islanders to work in the Queensland sugar-cane fields in the late 19th Century - it was later outlawed as a form of slavery.
The practice, and its ugly connotations has been adopted by shady Australian trek operators who have sought to benefit from the increasing interest in trekking Kokoda in recent years. These operators are able to get away with the exploitation in Papua New Guinea because they do not have systems in place to protect their villagers against such abhorrent practices and because many Australians are seeking the 'cheapest' deal.
Blackbirders can be flushed out by asking the following questions:
- Do you have a maximum weight limit of 18 kg for the local guides and carriers you engage?
- Do you provide each of your local guides and carriers with a sleeping bag and mat each?
- Do you provide each of your local guides and carriers with a full trek uniform i.e. a cap, shirt and shorts?
- Do you pay each of your guides and carriers PGK 70 per day?
- Do you pay each of your guides and carriers a 'Walk-Home-Allowance' of PGK 250?
If they cannot answer an affirmative 'Yes' to each of these questions - no ifs or buts - you are dealing with a Blackbirder.
Charlie Lynn served in the Australian Army for 21 years. He is a Vietnam Veteran, a qualified military free-
fall parachutist and a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College.
During his time as an exchange instructor with the United States Army he completed their Special Forces HALO parachute program which involved high altitude jumps from 20,000 feet at night with full combat equipment. He was appointed Captain of the Parachute Display Team at Fort Lee in Virginia and completed 200 jumps during his tour of duty.
After leaving the army Charlie specialised in organising ultra-marathon events and ran outback survival programs for mining companies in remote areas.
In 1986 he held the NSW Ultra-marathon record by running a distance of 213 km in 24 hours.
Charlie was elected to the NSW Parliament in 1995 and served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans Affairs under Premiers’ Barry O’Farrell and Mike Baird. He retired in 2015 after almost 20 years’ service in the NSW Legislative Council.
Over the past 27 years he has led 90 treks across the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea.
Prior to his first trek in 1991 only a small number of hardy adventurers trekked across the trail each year.
At this time the combined income of all the villagers along the trail was estimated to be approximately $30,000 per year.
In 1992 Charlie organised and led a group of 20 trekkers across the trail to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign. His trek featured as a cover story in the Bulletin magazine.
The publicity sparked enough interest in the trek for Charlie to organise another trek later in the year with a group of journalists. This trek led to national stories in the Australian newspaper, the Canberra Times, the Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday Age.
The interest generated by these treks led to more treks the following year and this led to more media stories in national newspapers and magazines.
Around this time Charlie began to lobby the Australian government to work with the PNG Government to have the Kokoda Trail proclaimed as a National Memorial Park. Unfortunately it was not on their radar at the time and there was little interest on either side.
In 1996, Channel 9 asked Charlie to lead a group of celebrities including Angry Anderson, Colette Mann, Darryl Braithwaite, Dermot Brereton, Shelley Taylor-Smith and Dr Kerryn Phelps across the trail for an Anzac Special. The group was joined by a young PNG botanist, Justin Tkatchenko in Port Moresby (Justin is now the Minister for APEC in the PNG Government). The documentary was titled ‘the Angry Anderson Kokoda Challenge’ and was viewed by more than 3 million people.
Over the following three years Charlie was asked to lead treks sponsored by all the major television networks. This created an enormous amount of interest in trekking Kokoda.
As a direct result of the increasing public interest in the Kokoda campaign the Australian government built a significant memorial on the Isurava battlesite which Charlie had re-discovered 2000. The memorial was officially opened by Prime Ministers’ Sir Michael Somare and John Howard on 26th August 2002.
Charlie then lobbied the PNG Government to establish a Kokoda Track Authority to manage the emerging trekking industry and ensure local villagers received shared benefits from it. He worked closely with Sir Peter Barter, the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and his company. Adventure Kokoda provided an advance of K20,000 to enable it to operate for the first couple of months.
After the opening of the Isurava Memorial trekker numbers began to increase rapidly from 365 in 2002 to a peak of 5621 in 2008. Over the past decade more than 40,000 trekkers have now crossed Kokoda. This had generated approximately K335 million into the PNG economy. Approximately K63 million of this has benefited local villages directly in wages, campsite fees, food and souvenirs. But most importantly in generates positive stories on PNG and now acts as a gateway for the establishment of firm friendships between Australian trekkers and their PNG guides and carriers.
The Australian and PNG governments would have received approximately $16 million in GST as a result of the trekking industry.
As a result, the Kokoda Trail is now the prime tourist destination in PNG.
Charlie Lynn’s commitment to PNG is broader than his involvement with the Kokoda Trail.
In 2003 Charlie developed and funded the establishment of The Kokoda Track Foundation which provides educational scholarships and health care support to villagers along the Kokoda Trail.
During the drought in PNG in 2004 he established a ‘PNG Drought Appeal’ in partnership with the National Australian Bank and the Returned Services League. The appeal raised $500,000 which was used to purchase seeds for villagers in the highlands. Charlie accompanied the consignment to PNG which was then delivered by Australian Army helicopters.
Later in 2004 he undertook a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Study Tour to PNG to investigate access for seasonal work opportunities for PNG workers. This led to a submission to the Australian Senate on the issue.
In 2010 Charlie developed and funded the established Network Kokoda as a Not-For-Profit company that builds Community Development Centres in villagers along the Kokoda Trail and has introduced Agricultural Learning Centres at the Sogeri National High School and Iaowari High School. These centres are now providing fresh produce for approximately 1200 boarding students and the programs have been replicated in seven villages on the Sogeri Plateau.
In 2012 Charlie was invited by Mr Glenn Armstrong of Air Niugini to develop a program to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign. The program included the painting of a map of the Kokoda Trail on a new B767; the participation of singer/songwriter, John Williamson, in the official 70th Anniversary Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery; a concert hosted by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill at Parliament House; and the production of a documentary on Rabaul which is now screened on the Air Niugini inflight program.
For the past two years Charlie has hosted the PNG Independence Day Celebration in the NSW Parliament on behalf of Mr Sumasy Singin, Consul General in Sydney.
In 2014 he hosted a two day Centenary Forum for the PNG Australia Association at Parliament House. Speakers included Senator The Hon Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Major-General Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC; H.E. Charles Lepani, PNG High Commissioner to Australia; and Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston AC, AFC.
In 2015 Charlie was inducted as an Officer of the Logohu by the PNG Government in their New Years’ Honours List ‘for service to the bilateral relations between Papua New Guinea and Australia and especially in the development of the Kokoda Trail and its honoured place in the history of both nations’ over the past 25 years.
Record of Service:
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Title |
The Hon Charlie Lynn MLC |
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1965 |
Conscripted into the Australian Army |
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1967 |
Served in Vietnam with 17th Construction Squadron RAE |
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1968 |
Graduated from Officer Cadet School, Portsea as a 2nd Lieutenant |
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1971-73 |
Served with the ANZUK Force in Singapore |
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1974 |
Platoon Commander with 176th Air Dispatch Company |
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1976 |
Squadron Commander with 30th Terminal Squadron |
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1977-78 |
Exchange Instructor with the United States Army Airborne Logistics School |
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1979-80 |
Officer Commanding, Army Air Movement Training and Development Unit |
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1981 |
Graduated from Army Command and Staff College |
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1982-84 |
Senior Staff Officer for Personnel and Logistics at HQ 1st Brigade |
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1985 |
Staff Officer at Army HQ, Canberra |
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1985-86 |
Senior Staff Officer for Personnel and Logistics at HQ 1st Brigade |
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1886 |
Retires from army with rank of Major |
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1984-1991 |
Race Director of Westfield Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon |
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1991 |
Established ‘Adventure Kokoda’ – Trekked Kokoda |
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1992 |
Led a 50th Anniversary Trek across the Kokoda Trail |
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1992-2014 |
Led 75 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail with more than 4500 trekkers |
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1995 |
Elected to the NSW Parliament |
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2002 |
Established the Kokoda Track Foundation |
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2009 |
Established Network Kokoda Not-For-Profit Foundation |
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2011 |
Appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans Affairs |
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2011 |
Established NSW Parliamentary Friends of Papua New Guinea Committee |
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2012 |
Worked in partnership with Air Niugini to host 70th Anniversary Commemorative events |
Following is a summary of positive publicity Charlie has generated for Papua New Guinea and the Kokoda Trail:
Newspaper/Magazine Articles promoting Kokoda Treks |
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GWP Magazine |
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The Bulletin with Newsweek |
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The Canberra Times – November 1992 |
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Qantas Magazine - 1993 |
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News Limited Magazine - 1994 |
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Australian Defence Information Bulletin - 1994 |
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The Australian Magazine - 1995 |
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The Northern Herald – August 1995 |
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The Sydney Morning Herald – November 1995 |
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The Australian – 1996 |
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The Sunday Magazine - 1996 |
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Women’s Day Magazine – 1996 |
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Impressions Magazine – 1996 |
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Australian Geo Magazine – May/June 1997 |
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The Australian Women’s Weekly – 1997 |
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Runners World – January 2000 |
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Sydney Swans Football Magazine - 2002 |
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South Pacific Magazine - 2002 |
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Great Walks Magazine - 2008 |
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Following is a list of the national television stories Charlie has generated through his treks:
Television Shows promoting the Kokoda Trail |
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Channel 9 |
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCz7qUl9FFmplk_GItGEAJ33D0bNZunFh |
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Channel 9 |
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Channel 7 |
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Channel 7 |
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCz7qUl9FFmrPkKNK9DLeZ4aqnUADCBIU |
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Channel 10 |
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ABC Compass – Channel 2 ‘Cronulla to Kokoda’ |
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Following is a list of submissions, papers and blogs Charlie has produced and submitted in support of initiatives to ensure the wartime integrity of the Kokoda Trail is protected and Australia’s relationship with PNG is improved:
1994 |
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Proposal for the Kokoda Trail to be developed as a National Memorial Park |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/PROJECTKOKODAPROPOSALbyCharlieLynn.doc |
1997 |
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Proposal for Olympic Torch to be carried across the Kokoda Trail for Sydney 2000 |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/ProposaltocarrytheOlympicTorchacrosstheKokodaTrailin2000.pdf |
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SOCOGs spurious rejection of Kokoda Torch Relay Proposal |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/SOCOGsSpuriousRejectionofKokodaTorchRelay.pdf |
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SOCOG must compensate PNG for stealing ‘Kokoda’ name |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/MediaReleasereSOCOGCompensationforKokoda.pdf |
2004 |
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Letter to Prime Minister John Howard supporting a medal for PNG Wartime Carriers |
http://newsletter.kokodatreks.com/documents/PrimeMinisterJohnHowardreCarrierMedals15February2004.pdf |
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Produced Interim Report for the development of a Strategic Plan for the Kokoda Trail |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/KokodaTrackFoundationInterimReportof6July2004.pdf |
2005 |
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Produced the Inaugural Report for the Kokoda Track Foundation |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/2005KokodaTrackFoundationInaguralReport.pdf |
2006 |
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Presented A Strategic Plan for the Kokoda Trail to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/StrategicPlanfortheKokodaTrailNoPics.pdf |
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Submission to Australian Senate supporting access for seasonal labour from PNG |
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Proposal for a Civilian Service Medal for the New Guinea Wartime Carriers |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/ProposalforMedalforPNGCarriers.pdf |
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Speech in NSW Parliament calling for official recognition of ‘Kokoda Day’ |
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Kokoda – a neglected jungle shrine |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2006/02/15/kokoda-a-neglected-jungle-shrine |
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The Australian Newspaper: |
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Submission to the Kokoda Track Authority |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/WarrenBartlett24Aug06reSuggestionsfortheKTA.pdf |
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Kokoda gazetted as a place of historic significance |
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The Kokoda Track Authority |
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2007 |
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Issued a Discussion Paper on the Kokoda Trekking Industry |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/ADiscussionPaperontheKokodaEcoTrekkingIndustryNoPics.pdf |
2008 |
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Article on Kokoda’s ‘Forgotten People’ |
http://newsletter.kokodatreks.com/009-MiningKokoda_February_2008.html |
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Published Blog: Kokoda Villagers need charity too |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/08/07/kokoda-villagers-need-charity-too |
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Published Blog: Military Heritage at risk on Kokoda |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/06/28/military-heritage-at-risk-on-kokoda |
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Published Blog: Let’s not forget the Villagers along the Kokoda Trail |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/09/16/lets-not-forget-the-villagers-along-kokoda |
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Published Blog: Fuzzy-Wuzzy Angels deserve a medal |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/06/27/png-carriers-deserve-a-medal |
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Education: A trekkers legacy |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/09/07/education-a-trekkers-legacy |
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Kokoda: More than a jungle track |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/09/07/pacific-png-guest-worker-scheme |
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Pacific (PNG) Guest Worker Scheme |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/09/07/pacific-png-guest-worker-scheme |
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PNG – A difficult place to help |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2007/01/10/png-%E2%80%93-a-difficult-place-to-help/#more-648 |
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Proposal for ‘Kokoda Day’ to be Proclaimed |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/ProposalforKokodaDayProclamation1March2008.pdf |
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Kokoda gazetted as a place of historic significance |
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2010 |
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Why Kokoda Day? |
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Kokoda Day proclaimed in PNG |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2010/04/04/kokoda-day-proclaimed-in-png |
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Trekker downturn weighs heavily on Kokoda porters |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2010/06/20/trekker-downturn-weighing-heavily-on-local-kokoda-porters |
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PNG Payback |
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Giving back to the track |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2010/11/07/giving-back-to-the-track-in-2010 |
2011 |
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Wartime Tourism: Presentation to UPNG |
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Removal of war relics from the Kokoda Trail |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/01/21/removal-or-war-relics-from-the-kokoda-trail/#more-1675 |
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Kokoda: Battlefields have never been ‘lost’ |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2011/09/30/kokoda-battlefields-have-never-been-lost |
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The Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2011/01/18/the-kokoda-youth-leadership-challenge |
2012 |
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Presentation to the Australian War Memorial Conference: Kokoda – beyond the legend |
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Kokoda 70: Launch by Prime Minister Peter O’Neil at Parliament House |
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Our Kokoda Footprint |
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The Spirit of Kokoda 70 years on |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/06/10/the-spirit-of-kokoda-70-years-on |
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War Cemeteries in Papua New Guinea |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/06/09/war-cemetries-in-papua-new-guinea |
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The Kokoda Trail: It’s about respect for the PNG Government and the men who fought across it |
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Bomana War Cemetery – the only place to be on Anzac Day in PNG |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/08/18/bomana-dawn-service-the-only-place-to-be-on-anzac-day-in-png |
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Military Tradition behind the awarding of the Battle Honour – Kokoda Trail |
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Speech regarding NSW Schools commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Kokoda campaign |
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Perpetuating the Spirit of Kokoda |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2013/01/14/perpetuating-the-spirit-of-kokoda |
2013 |
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Kokoda: Time for a Rethink |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/KokodaTimeforaRethink.pdf |
2014 |
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Speech to the PNGAA Forum at the NSW Parliament by The Hon Charlie Lynn MLC on 18 September 2014: The Great Divide: White Australia – Black Melanesia
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http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/SpeechbyTheHonCharlieLynnMLCtothePNGAAForuminSydney.pdf |
Following is a list of philanthropic programs Charlie has initiated and funded to support the people of PNG:
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Initiated a Joint PNG Drought Appeal with the RSL that raised K1 million in 1996 |
Travelled to PNG to assist in distributing food and seed to affected areas in army Blackhawk helicopters. |
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Established and funded Network Kokoda |
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Initiated Integrated Agricultural Project at Sogeri National High School |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/SogeriAgriculturalLearningProjectMarketGarden.pdf |
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Support educational programs along the Kokoda Trail |
http://newsletter.kokodatreks.com/003-January_2007.html
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Seed Nursery at the Sogeri National High School |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/SogeriAgriculturalLearningProjectSeedNurseryPics.pdf |
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Abuari Community Learning Centre |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/AbuariCommunityDevelopmentCentre.pdf |
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Water projects in the Sogeri community |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/AbuariCommunityDevelopmentCentre.pdf |
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Established Kokoda Bursary Program at Port Moresby Grammar School |
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Sponsoring a Port Moresby Grammar School Student through a Commerce Degree |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/MargaretAitsiDivineWordUniversityResultsto2012.pdf |
Following is a selection of testimonials acknowledging Charlie’s work in PNG and along the Kokoda Trail:
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Sir Peter Barter, PNG Minister for Intergovernment Relations. |
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The Hon Arthur Somare MP, PNG Minister for National Planning: 'Dear Mr Lynn, I write to personally thank you for arranging to meet the members of the PNG Parliamentary Select Committee on the Pacific Economic Community in Sydney last week. We are very grateful for you hosting lunch for us at your beautiful parliament setting. Your tireless work over the years in promoting Papua New Guinea in Australia and the world is something we are very grateful for and will do everything possible to compliment your efforts in the future. I am pleased that the PNG Tourism Authority has been working closely with you on issues of interest concerning the Kokoda Trail and the promotion of tourism as a vibrant industry in PNG. I will shortly be bringing to the attention of the Ministry for Works the urgency to upgrade the road leading to Owers Corner in Sogeri area. It is my hope that our meeting in Sydney has set the foundation for further enhancement of relations at a personal level between our two countries. I very much look forward to meeting you and your co-workers again when you next visit Port Moresby. Yours sincerely, Arthur T. Somare MP
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Major-General Peter Phillips, National President of the RSL I am pleased to advise that the National Executive of the RSL has endorsed the proposal to establish a master plan for development of a Kokoda Track Memorial Park. Thank you for taking the time to address our National Executive and for the personal effort you have put into promoting this concept. As we approach the 60th anniversary of the epic battles of the Kokoda Track, it is appropriate that we honour those who lost their lives there or served their country so valiantly. Yours sincerely. Major-General Peter Phillips AO MC''
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Senator Bob Carr Foreign Minister and former Premier of NSW Dear Charlie, I've always been impressed by your love of the Track and your determination to ensure its place in the Australian imagination is never lost. You know better than most that the Kokoda Track isn't just a place where our salvation was won - though we should remember and document and treasure every inch of it. Kokoda's now part of the Australian Dreaming, a sacred site. More than that the Men of Kokoda are among the greatest of heroes in a land that rightly canonizes few heroes. And as time slowly steals the survivors from our midst, its hard to resist thinking that Australians in the not too distant future will look back with almost disbelief at the giants who lived in those days. The Hon Bob Carr MP Premier of New South Wales
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Don Daniels MBE: Founder and Chairman of Port Moresby Grammar School Good morning Mr Lynn Years ago, we first met in the dining room of the Parliament of New South Wales when you invited Dame Carol Kidu and myself to a dinner. The occasion then was about assisting Papua New Guinea students, especially those from villages along the Kokoda track. Little did I know then, how much Port Moresby Grammar School is now in your debt for the support you have given the school. Among other things, this support consists of:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the School, please accept our sincere and grateful thanks for that you have done and we hope this special bond between POM Grammar and Kokoda will continue and strengthen. Sincerely DONALD DANIELS MBE |
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Tessie Soi, PNG Friends Foundation Inc 'Thanks a million for the 2 computers dropped off at the office. I was in Babaka village, 3 hours drive from Pom. ' Staff advised me of your kind donation. ' My Admin Manager, Mr pana Sitapai will email you through friendfoundinc@daltron.com.pg when the office downstairs is completed. ' Its great to hear that i can email you when i am in dire straits and i will also give you updates and how our programs are going. ' I can use someone else as a sounding board. which i hope you don't mind. ' But thanks a million for helping me do my programs for our people. Tessie'
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Mike Luff, Deputy Principal, Port Moresby Grammar School ‘Hello Charlie, 'Hope all is well down your way. Collected a good number of books the other evening with Chad & Ron Beattie’s Group! Our number of books and DVDs totals 1035. All brought forward in the past 12 months approx. A fabulous effort! This does not include pencils, pens and other drawing materials. 'On the turn around side Port Moresby Grammar school has done the following:
' All of these are a result of culling as new books come into our library. Where there is a doubling up we give these away in the cartons. Some of your books we use as incentives and prizes to kids at Pom Grammar for good work. The culture of reading has been substantially enhanced since your program has started. Popular novels are being read throughout the school. The library staff are really doing a fine job. ' Friends Foundation gave us a wooden coin box and in the first fortnight we collected K250- for Tessie’s group. ' Our next quest is to build up the culling cartons again so that Sogeri Community school and Ioiari High school are provided with books. ' Nixon and the West Papuans are still at Gerehu. The six we have at Pom Grammar are still in school. Many of the other school kids have been “pushed out” or have simply given up – sorry to say. However, we will keep going with our little group. The West Papuan girls especially enjoy the hockey competition on a Sunday afternoon. ' Things are going very well at present and a big lot of thanks to you. ' We would like to see you at the school when you are next up this way – is that possible? 'Regards, 'Mike'
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James Enage: Chairman, Kokoda Track Authority Dear Charlie, I wish to thank you, your lovely wife and the Adventure Kokoda Management for financially supporting the Kokoda Track Sports Development Program within this year, 2009. I had acknowledged your contribution to this very special project in various appropriate forums and have informed the boys and people along the Kokoda Track about your support. In relation to the outcome of the Program, preparations are now underway by four (4) Local Rugby League Clubs in Queensland who are keen to engage few boys from the Kokoda Track to play in the local Queensland Rugby League Competition next year, 2010. Hopefully, the various Rugby Club offers (Work, Match payments, Accommodation) for the boys should be made available towards the end of January and I will make the announcements in the middle or towards the end of February, 2010. Also the Gold Coast Titans Junior Development Team Management are keen to recruit school boys from the Kokoda Track area next year to be part of the Gold Coast Titans Junior Development Team under Football Scholarships. We will announce this program shortly. Since you have pioneered in supporting this program, I trust you will continue to support this program. I look forward to continue working with you in this very special Project in the New Year. James Enage Chairman
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Two recent articles summarise Charlie’s feelings towards Kokoda and PNG as a result of his association with the country, its people and our wartime heritage:
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Wouldn’t it be great if . . . |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/2007NewsletterArticlereAustralianElectionCampaign.pdf |
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Straight shooter soldiers on . . . |
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/straight-shooter-soldiers-on-20130208-2e3kd.html |
The trek across Kokoda is the toughest physical challenge most people will encounter.
The decision as to whether to carry your own backpack is important because it can mean the difference between enjoying the experience or suffering and having to withdraw from the trek.
Some trekkers in the past have stubbornly refused to engage a personal carrier because they want to do it like ‘the diggers did it!’
If this is your rationale we suggest you purchase a pair of hobnail leather boots, carry a canvas backpack with webbing pouches; travel with a half-blanket which you will willingly share with up to six other trekkers; borrow a rifle and ammunition; sleep outside your tent and leave your underwear and toiletries at the hotel in Port Moresby!
For those who are young, confident and physically fit it will not be a problem. But for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle; who might be carrying an extra kilo or two; who might be harbouring some self-doubt about their ability to burden themselves with extra weight; or who do not maintain a daily regime of physical training it will be a struggle – you will find the track does not make concessions to anybody! It is therefore important that you do an honest assessment of your physical capabilities.
If you are physically fit, are an experienced extreme conditions trekker, and have prepared yourself with a strenuous training program then you should be able to carry your own pack. On the other hand if you have any doubts about your ability then you should consider engaging a personal carrier for yourself or sharing one with a mate.
If you engage your own Personal Carrier prior to your trek we provide them with a trek uniform and purchase additional food and camping gear for them before we leave Port Moresby – there is none available along the track.
The cost of a Personal Carrier is between $660 - $790 per person, depending on the trek type/duration. The cost will be displayed when completing the online Booking Form.
If you decide to engage one after you arrive an additional $150 surcharge will apply to cover the additional costs we have to incur as short notice.
From time to time we have trekkers who realise they cannot carry their backpack after the second or third day - we then have to try and recruit additional carriers along the trail. This is a difficult exercise in the middle of the Owen Stanley Ranges as we are not able to arrange for additional food, uniforms or camping gear for the additional carriers. It’s also unfair as our PNG trek guides and carriers, who already work hard under extreme conditions, don’t appreciate having the size of their meals reduced whenever we have to engage additional personal carriers during the trek.
A Personal Carrier will carry your backpack and act as your ‘trek caddy’ for the duration of your trek – he will often catch you before you fall; will assist you over the most difficult sections of the trail; assist you with packing up and setting up and proudly introduce you to his family in his village.
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Meet the Trek Leaders
Major Charlie Lynn OAM OL
In 2015 Charlie was inducted as an Officer of the Logohu by the Government of Papua New Guinea in their New Years Honours and Awards list 'for service to the bilateral relations between Papua New Guinea and Australia and especially in the development of the Kokoda Trail and its honoured place in the history of both nations' over the past 25 years.'
Major Chad Sherrin MM
Chad is a decorated Vietnam veteran - he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in action. Chad first joined the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8 RAR) as a tracking dog handler. He was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant while serving with 8 RAR and served with the Battalion in Malaysia and South Vietnam.
Lieutenant Colonel Rowan Tracey LLB BA
Rowan is a pioneer of the Kokoda Trail. He first trekked it 30 years ago when he served with the PNG Defence Force. He is fluent in the local language 'Tok Pisin'. Rowan is a military historian and is acknowledged as the most eminent authority on the strategy and tactics of the Kokoda campaign.
Captain Reg Yates
Over the past 34 years Captain Reg Yates has explored most of the WW11 battlesites in PNG. He is fluent in Tok Pisin and is well respected by village elders along the Kokoda Trail.
Commodore Simon Hart CSC MSc MA
Simon joined the Australian Navy a Cadet Midshipmen in 1973 and carved out an outstanding career spanning 33 years. He specialised in maritime surface ship operations and spent the majority of his career at sea.
Sergeant Rod Foster
Rod is currently serving as a Sergeant in the Royal Australian Artillery at Kapooka. He has served in the Sinai Peninsula and Iraq and has a deep understanding of the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign. He is also a competitive ultra-marathon athlete.
John Nalder
Prior to John joining Adventure Kokoda he used to wrestle crocodiles with Steve Irwin. John is a qualified para-medic and expert bushman. He has a deep emotional commitment to Kokoda and the veterans he has met over the years. He is a keen student of the Kokoda campaign.
Peter Davis
Peter served in the Army Reserve for 7 years and has two grandfathers who served in both World Wars - one being a highly decorated soldier. Peter recently graduated with a MPhil in Military History with the Australian Defence Force Academy and is now studying for his PhD.
Bernie Rowell
Bernie is a Kokoda tragic. He first trekked with Kokoda to honour his father who served in New Guinea during the war. He has since trekked it 43 times. Bernie has transposed his success in business to his passion for leading treks across the Kokoda Trail.
Dave Sherry
Dave began exploring Australia as soon as he was old enough to escape Sydney. He was born in the city but his heart was in the bush. There are few places in Australia that Dave hasn’t trekked on foot or explored in off-road vehicles. He even took to the sea as a crew member on the Tall Ship HMAS Bounty during the Bicentenary in 1988.
Peter Morrison
Peter Morrison is an unassuming young Australian. He first trekked with Adventure Kokoda almost a decade ago and developed a strong desire to learn more about the campaign and the people he met along the trail. Peter is a professional boxer and former NSW Welterweight Champion.
Tracie Watson
Tracie is the General Manager and engine room of Adventure Kokoda - she is on-call 24/7 and will look after your every need and concern from the moment you book your trek until you arrive back in Australia.
Why Trek with Adventure Kokoda
Our primary goal is to lead you safely across the Kokoda Trail and ensure you have an unforgettable wartime historical and cultural experience.
Charlie has led more than 90 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail over the past 26 years.
He previously served in the Australian Army for 21 years. During this time he saw active service in Vietnam; was assigned to the joint Australian, New Zealand and British (ANZUK) Force in Singapore/ Malaysia from 1970-72, and as an exchange instructor in Airborne Logistics with the United States Army from 1977-78. He is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College.