This morning you will be woken early by the sound of “Reveille” followed by some motivational music while you pack up your tent. After breakfast and a morning brief, we’ll step off and start an uphill climb in the area that the Diggers called the Golden Staircase to Imita Ridge.

Imita Ridge was the Australians’ last defensive line before Port Moresby. The order from MAJGEN Tubby Allen in Port Moresby to BRIG Ken Ether on the Kokoda Trail in September 1942 was for him to hold the line and for him and his men to die in place if needed.

We then descend into the jungle, crossing the crystal-clear Ua-Ule Creek over 20 times before stopping for lunch at Ruebens’ Camp. In the afternoon, we take on the challenging climb to Ioribaiwa Village where we camp for the night.

Ioribaiwa Village provides trekkers with sweeping views to the southwest and you will hopefully experience a captivating PNG sunset depending on the cloud cover.

This afternoon Scotty will also provide a Mud-Model Brief on the Battle of Ioribaiwa in September of 1942 which saw the Japanese force elements “culminate” and begin their “Advance to the Rear”.  The brief will include the reciting of the Ode and a minute’s silence to remember the 55 Australian Soldiers killed during the Battle of Ioribaiwa.

Distance – 13 km

Time – 9 hrs

This morning, we visit the actual battle site on Ioribaiwa Ridge – the furthest point of the Japanese advance. On the ridge there is an opportunity to visit an ammunition cache of Artillery Rounds and other equipment that was left hidden by the Japanese when they were ordered to “Advance to the Rear”. This cache was only discovered in 2019 by the local landowner when he was digging a hole to plant a Banana Tree.

There is also the opportunity to view weapon pits both Japanese and Australian.

Note: It was at Ioribaiwa Ridge that Sapper Bert Beros was inspired to pen one of his most famous poems – WX Unknown – Consequently, it is very fitting to hear WX Unknown recited at Ioribaiwa Ridge.

After a brief on the battle of Ioribaiwa Ridge we then descend to Ofi Creek and will learn of the Australian ambush that was conducted at the crossing point using Bully Beef tins as bait for the starving Japanese troops.

After Ofi Creek we begin another steep climb up the Maguli Range. We’ll stop at a Japanese Mountain Gun and Defensive Position and hear the story of Lt Authur Tregarthen and his 23 man patrol who attacked the Mountain Gun position on 15 Sep 1942. After a short break we’ll continue trekking north before pausing for a rest and lunch at Banana Camp where the Australian 2/14^th and 2/16^th Battalions ambushed the advancing Japanese during the Australian withdrawal.

In the afternoon we’ll follow the ridge line to the top of the Maguli Range before descending into the village of Nauro for our overnight stay. Nauro provides sweeping panoramic views over the Brown River Valley to the north.

Distance – 12 km

Time – 9 hrs

After breakfast and our morning brief, we’ll step off and start the descent down to the Nauro Swamp and eventually reach the Brown River. After crossing the Brown River we’ll trek to the village of Agulogo where we’ll enjoy morning tea and a refreshing swim.

After leaving Agulogo we will climb the feature the Diggers referred to as “The Wall” and then follow the ridgeline to the Menari Gap. After a short break at Menari Gap we’ll descend to the village of Menari where we’ll stop for lunch. Several of our PNG staff come from Menari and we’ll have an opportunity to meet their families and to purchase some local souvenirs.

In Menari we’ll also stop at the location where LTCOL Ralph Honnor first addressed the men of the 39^th Battalion (The Ragged Bloody heroes) after they were release from the line. You will also hear the speech that LTCOL Honnor gave to the survivors of the 39^th Battalion.

After departing Menari we will descend to Enili Creek and view the plaque that was laid in honour of War Time Cinematographer Damian Parer and hear about his actions and exploits.

We finish the day with an arduous climb to Brigade Hill, the site of the largest battle of the Kokoda Campaign. This is our overnight campsite, and during the afternoon/evening Scotty will provide another Mud-Model Brief on the Battles of Brigade Hill and Mission Ridge.

Distance – 18 km

Time – 10 hrs

This morning, we will conduct an emotional Dawn Service at the small memorial on Brigade Hill where we will honour and commemorate the 69 Australian soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Brigade Hill and the 39 Australian Soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Mission Ridge.

After breakfast and our morning brief, we will step off and negotiate the feature known as XXXX and then trek through the Mission Ridge battle site on the northern side of Brigade Hill. We will then trek down to the Village of Efogi (The largest village on the trail) for morning tea. Several of our PNG Staff are from Efogi and there will be an opportunity to meet their families and say G’day.  

After leaving Efogi we will climb to the village of Efogi 2 where we will visit the only Japanese memorial on the Trail. This memorial was constructed by Japanese veteran Kokichi Nishimura (2/144^th Regt) who is also known as the “Bone man of Kokoda”. He was the only man from his company to survive the Kokoda campaign. When he was being evacuated to safety, he made a promise that one day he would return to Kokoda and bring his comrades home to Japan for proper burial. He fulfilled this promise in the later stages of his life.

From there, we cross the Efogi River and head to the village of Naduri where we explore the  memorial to the last Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Ovuru Ndiki. After lunch we continue our climb up to the Moss Forest and then to our overnight location at Diggers Camp.

Distance – 15 km

Time – 10 hrs

This morning, after breakfast and our morning brief, we begin with a visit to Bombers Campsite  to check out the crash site of a USAAF B-25 known as the Happy Legend. The Happy Legend crashed during a mission to bomb the Japanese defensive positions at Buna on the north coast of PNG. Seven US aircrew were killed in the crash.

After Bombers Camp we trek to the edge of the dry lakebed known as Myola 2 which was a key Australian WWII drop zone for supplies, equipment and ammunition. From here, we have an option to trek to the crash site of a USAAF P-40 on the Eastern side of Myola 2 or to move directly along Bert Keinzle way through the majestic Moss Forest.

Today we reach the highest point of the Trail (Approximate 2250m).

As we start our descent, we reach the Kokoda Gap and discuss the plan by senior allied generals to blow the gap using explosives to stop the Japanese advance.

After a refreshing swim at Dump 1, we arrive at Templeton’s Crossing which was the scene of fierce fighting during the Australian advance and our nights campsite beside the fast-flowing Eora Creek.

Distance – 13 km (18km – including the P-40 Wreck)

Time – 7 hrs (10 hrs – including the P-40 Wreck)

This morning you will

Distance – 13 km

Time – 7 hrs

This morning you will

Distance – 18 km

Time – 7 hrs

This morning you will

This morning you will