Kokoda History Trek

Days
8
From
$3,995
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award

Kokoda History Treks led by an expert Australian guide -  unforgettable 8-day experience from $3995.

Our Kokoda History Treks follow the footsteps of the brave as they fought one of the most desperate series of battles across the Owen Stanley Ranges from Kokoda to the doorstep of Port Moresby at Imita Ridge.

They are led by experienced Adventure Kokoda trek leaders with a detailed knowledge of the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign. They understand the Principles of War; the strategy of the Kokoda campaign; and the tactics of each battle which they will explain at each site.

The route follows the original 138 km wartime trail which is shorter than our 10-day Kokoda Premium Campaign Treks as it does not include the battle areas defended by the 53rd and 2/16th Australian Battalions on the eastern side of the Yodda Valley.

Our Kokoda History treks cover all the major battle sites at Imita Ridge, Ioribaiwa Ridge, Brigade Hill, Templeton's Crossing, Eora Creek, Isurava, Deniki and Kokoda where you will receive detailed historical presentations.

What's included

  • Meals
  • All transportation
  • All accommodation
  • All trek fees
  • Mosquito-proof tents

Dates & Availability for Kokoda History Trek

Date
Status Price  
7 Apr - 16 Apr 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
John Nalder Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
9 Apr - 18 Apr 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Dave Sherry Private group only Private group
15 Apr - 25 Apr 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Scott Babington Limited Places $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
16 Apr - 25 Apr 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
6 May - 15 May 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
10 Jun - 19 Jun 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Limited Places $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
21 Jun - 30 Jun 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Craig Moffat Limited Places $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
26 Jun - 5 Jul 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,792 $4,895 $3,995
27 Jun - 6 Jul 2023
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
27 Jun - 6 Jul 2023
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
28 Jun - 7 Jul 2023
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Peter Morrison Private group only Private group
30 Jun - 9 Jul 2023
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Scott Babington Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
4 Jul - 13 Jul 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Reg Yates Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
7 Jul - 16 Jul 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Limited Places $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
12 Jul - 21 Jul 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Craig Moffat Limited Places $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
5 Aug - 14 Aug 2022
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Peter Morrison Private group only Private group
12 Aug - 21 Aug 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
23 Aug - 1 Sep 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Reg Yates Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
23 Aug - 1 Sep 2022
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
4 Sep - 13 Sep 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Limited Places $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
24 Sep - 3 Oct 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Reg Yates Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
25 Sep - 4 Oct 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Private group only Private group
25 Sep - 5 Oct 2023
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
3 Oct - 12 Oct 2023
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,195 $4,795 $4,895 $3,995
7 Apr - 16 Apr 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Dave Sherry Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
8 Apr - 17 Apr 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
John Nalder Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
9 Apr - 18 Apr 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
15 Apr - 25 Apr 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Scott Babington Taking Bookings $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
16 Apr - 25 Apr 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
3 May - 12 May 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
John Nalder Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
15 May - 24 May 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
22 May - 31 May 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Reg Yates Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
8 Jun - 17 Jun 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
19 Jun - 28 Jun 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Craig Moffat Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
23 Jun - 2 Jul 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
25 Jun - 4 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
28 Jun - 7 Jul 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Rod Foster Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
30 Jun - 9 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
1 Jul - 10 Jul 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
7 Jul - 16 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
10 Jul - 19 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Craig Moffat Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
14 Jul - 23 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
30 Jul - 9 Aug 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
John Nalder Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
1 Oct - 10 Oct 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
2 Nov - 11 Nov 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Rod Foster Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
15 Apr - 25 Apr 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Taking Bookings $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
16 Apr - 25 Apr 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
15 Apr - 25 Apr 2026
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Taking Bookings $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
16 Apr - 25 Apr 2026
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195

FAQs about this trek

Anybody can – and many do – walk in off the street, fill out an application, pay a small fee and become an authorised Kokoda tour operator.  There are no due diligence checks.  They do not have to have a registered company.  They do not need a Public Liability insurance policy.  They do not need satellite phones, VHF radios or medical kits - and if something bad happens they have no assets to reclaim.

Trekkers should therefore take note of the old Latin proverb of Caveat emptor which means ‘let the buyer beware’ – as it is applicable to the current management system put in place by the Australian Government.

PNG Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill recently initiated a review of the Kokoda Track Authority.  The current management system, put in place by the Australian Government during the period 2009-2012 has not worked.

Prior to the year 2000 the Kokoda Trail was only crossed by small numbers of hardy adventurers.

A rapid increase from 76 trekkers in 2001 to a peak of 5621 in 2008 transformed it into Papua New Guinea’s premier tourism attraction.

In 2003 the PNG Government established a ‘Kokoda Track (Special Purpose) Authority (the ‘KTA’) as a statutory government body of the Koiari and Kokoda Local-level Governments to manage the emerging Kokoda trekking industry and ensure local villages across the trail received shared benefits from it.  Unfortunately it has not worked out as it was envisaged.

In 2004 a PNG expatriate CEO was appointed to manage the KTA with a part-time secretarial assistant.  During the next four years trekker numbers increased 255% from 1584 in 2994 to 5621 in 2008.

In response to a public outcry over a threat to mine a large part of the Kokoda Trail in 2006 the Australian Government entered into a ‘joint’ agreement with the PNG Government to assist in developing a case for the Owen Stanley Ranges to be listed as a World Heritage site.  Responsibility was delegated to the Department of Environment in Canberra.

This led to a vertable army of taxpayer funded environmental officials, academics, contractors and consultants to 'assist' PNG manage the emerging Kokoda trekking industry.  For most it was their first trip to PNG.

In 2009 an Australian CEO was appointed to the KTA on an eye-watering salary package.  It was his first time in PNG and he did not trek across the Kokoda Trail until just prior to his departure in 2012.  He was supported by a 10-fold increase in staff and a multi-million dollar budget.

Despite this injection of resources annual trekker numbers declined by 44 per cent from 5621 in 2008 to 3156 in 2012!

A desktop study titled ‘Kokoda Track Authority Strategic Plan 2012 – 2015’ was developed over a long period of time.  It is instructive that not a single one of the five strategies or 33 key performance objectives contained in the plan were achieved.

The Australian CEO departed towards the end of 2012 without leaving a single management protocol in place for his PNG successor - no draft legislation; no management database; no campsite booking system; no integrity in the trek operator licensing system; no safeguards for the welfare of PNG guides and carriers; no audit system for campsite owners; no trail maintenance plan; no community development plan; etc. etc. etc.

The PNG management team were left with an unworkable model which has led to a call for a review by Prime Minister O'Neill.

They do not understand the Principles of Commemoration and know little about the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign.

Trekkers should be aware that they currently have no protection from the KTA.  There is no integrity in the licensing system.

 

You should not have any worries if you are travelling with a reputable trek operator who utilizes a secure hotel and pre-arranged transport in Port Moresby.

Our trek leaders meet you on arrival at the Port Moresby airport; accompany you to your accommodation; provide detailed pre-trek briefings and equipment checks; lead you safely across the trail; and escort you back to the Port Moresby airport at the end of your trek.  We are with you the entire time you are in PNG.

Our relationships with local villagers along the trail is based on mutual respect because of the employment we provide to their local Koiari and Orokaiva guides; the money we have invested into their local campsites; and the community benefits we provide through our not-for-profit company, Network Kokoda.

 

 

If you lead a sedentary lifestyle you will need a minimum of three months physical training and preparation.

You should start with a complete medical check-up then consult with your local gymnasium to prepare a personal training program aimed at increasing your aerobic fitness level. As a guide we recommend you start with minimum of 45 minutes of aerobic activity (walking, power-walking, jogging, cycling, tennis, etc) at least four times per week.

You should aim to increase your work rate by ten percent each week after that.

Your training needs to include extensive walking, preferably in a hilly-area, carrying a weighted pack. In the last month of your training you need to be capable of walking at least 10 km daily, carrying 3 to 5 kg more than the weight you expect to carry on your trek.

Think of your training as a deposit in your fitness account – everything you do between now and the trek will pay a dividend on the trail.  If you haven’t made enough ‘deposits’ into your fitness account you will have to go into ‘debt’ on the trail – and debt of any kind is always painful!  

You can’t cheat yourself on Kokoda – if you have done the work you will complete it OK – if you haven’t you will be a candidate for an emergency evacuation!  

39th Battalion preparing for the Kokoda campaign on the Sogeri plateau in 1942

The average size of our groups in 2017 was 12 trekkers - groups are larger during school holiday periods.

 

Adventure Kokoda was rated as the best trekking company on the Kokoda Trail in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and again in 2022.

What is the Travellers' Choice?

Travellers' Choice (formerley Certificate of Excellence) recognises businesses that earn consistently great reviews.

We are very proud to be rated #1 on Tripadvisor for the 8th successive year which shows our commitment to providing an outstanding experience to all our trekkers, ensuring they have an enjoyable, challenging and informative historical and cultural experience among friends.

View Tripadvisor reviews here.

 

 

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.'   More..

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.  More..

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.  More..

 

Major Scott Babington

Scott joined the Australian Army as a 16 year old apprentice in 1985.  He was promoted through the ranks and has spent over 34 years serving in the Australian Regular Army.  

Scott has worked with the United Nations in Sudan as a Military Observer and as an Adviser in Afghanistan with the US 82nd Airborne and the 3rd Infantry Divisions.  More..

 

Major Craig Moffat OAM

Craig joined the Australian Army in 1979 and was posted to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps where he has served for 40 years with over 20 years serving in Special Operations Command as a Commando.  

Craig has seen regimental service as a soldier and officer rising through the ranks within The Royal Australian Regiment and Special Operations Command, his career culminated as soldier with two Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) appointments prior to commissioning to officer in 2005.  More..

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.  More..

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.  More..

 

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.  More..

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 and he now lives on a farm just outside the western country town of Horsham.  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.  More..

 

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.  More..

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 55 times.  Bernie has transposed his success in business to his passion for leading treks across the Kokoda Trail.  More..

Sergeant Rod Foster

Rod is currently serving as a Sergeant in the Royal Australian Artillery at 4 Field Regiment Townsville.  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.  More..

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.  More..

Fiona Foster

Fiona has a strong passion for Kokoda, PNG and its people which was sparked as a young girl knowing her grandfather fought on Kokoda.

As a school teacher Fiona has extensive experience in developing leadership in young Australians and has been involved in the development of a leadership program within the school environment.  This saw her bring two passions together; teaching our future generations and Kokoda, whilst getting them outside of their comfort zones, and allowing them to learn about themselves.  More..

Carla Valmorbida

Carla brings great organisational skills, energy and humour to her role.  She is passionate about the Kokoda campaign and thrives on seeing how transformative and life-changing this experience can be for trekkers.

Carla was initially inspired to trek Kokoda to honour her Grandfathers service with the AIF in Buna and has now successfully participated in a number of Adventure Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge treks as a Trek Guide.  More..

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.  More..

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 100 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail over the past 30 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.

Why choose Adventure Kokoda?

Why is Kokoda so important?Dive into the History