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Kokoda Trail
KOKODA TRAIL (TRACK)
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(Picture: Isurava Memorial)
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HISTORY
The Kokoda Track (also known as the Kokoda Trail) is one of the World’s great treks. Linking the Southern and Northern coast of Papua New Guinea, it is a challenge to be enjoyed by the fit bushwalker. The Kokoda, Kokoda Track and Sogeri areas have a World War II history of bitter fighting between Australian and Japanese Armies during the latter half of 1942.
The Kokoda Track is a native footpath that traverses the rugged peaks of the Owen Stanley Ranges, and it was here that an in-experienced, ill-equipped, outnumbered Australian force faced the might of the Japanese army. As well as their opposition, both nations faced the problems of conducting a war in the extremely inhospitable Papua New Guinea jungle, an environment that inflicted casualties without favour.
The Australians, together with their Papuan “fuzzy wuzzy angels” allies, after four months of bitter fighting, overcame these obstacles and inflicted on the Japanese army its first land defeat of the Second World War. In the process, they became immortalized and a source of inspiration for future generations of Australians.
TODAY
There are still original Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels living in villages along the track. They exist as their people have for generations, tending their gardens, looking after their extended families and
protecting their villages. The modern “angels”, employed as guides and porters, exhibit all the
characteristics of their forebears. Masters of their environment, they are a shy, polite people who cannot resist breaking into peals of laughter when watching a group of trekkers attempt to negotiate a particularly difficult track section. For them it is a matter of personal pride that all trekkers in their care complete the Kokoda Track safely, and lasting friendships are often forged between trekkers and porters.
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(picture: Kokoda Track Memorial
Archway at Owers' Corner) |
ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE
The 96 km Kokoda Track passes through rugged mountainous country of rainforest, jungles of fern, orchids, birds and clean mountain streams, which tumble into steep valleys. The Koiari people will greet you with smiles and tempt you with seasonal fruit and vegetables. Sogeri is a 36km drive from Port Moresby by conventional car. The walking path of the Kokoda Track starts at Owers’ Corner, which is 17km from the Depo War Monument at Sogeri. A 4WD vehicle is normally required for this unsealed road.
The Sogeri Plateau is an ancient volcanic crater situated at 500 metres above sea level. It enjoys a highlands type climate, compared with the heat of Port Moresby. Beautiful water rapids, rolling green hills and rugged mountains, togather with Vararata National Park, reveal the unspoilt nature and the beauty of the environment.
KOKODA TRACK AUTHORITY
There is increasing interest by international trekkers to walk the Kokoda Track. They walk in the footsteps of WW2 soldiers (sometimes lost family members), experience history, adventure, endurance, the beauty of the area and the friendliness of the people.
The Authority is a recently established statutory government body of the Kokoda and Koiari Rural Local-level Governments. Its purpose is to assist both local-level Governments in carrying out their functions within the Kokoda Track Area as follows:
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(Kokoda Track Authority Emblem)
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- focus on the significance of the Kokoda Track/Trail due to its part in WW2 and promote this legacy for present and future generations;
- promote trekking and tourism related activities in the Kokoda Track Area;
- administer, facilitate, ensure and or oversee the implementation of the developments and other projects in the Kokoda Track Area;
- collect, manage and use development revenue from fee paying Trekkers and other sources for approved projects;
- consult with landowners on their needs and priorities;
- provide a point of contact for agencies, organizations or persons wanting to initiate activities along the Kokoda Track; etc.
TREKKINGFEES
Under the Kokoda Track Trek Permit Law 2005 of both the Kokoda and Koiari Local-level Governments, persons, whether as individuals or part of a group, who wish to walk the Kokoda Track, are required to obtain a Trek Permit. Trek Permits are available upon application from the Kokoda Track Authority or through recognized Tour Operators registered with the Authority. (Trek permits are not applicable to traditional landowners and their family members normally resident in the Kokoda Track area.)
The Trek Permit fees applicable from 1st January, 2005 are as follows:
| (a) | International Trekker | K200 |
| (b) | International Child or student trekker (up to 18 years) | K100 |
| (c) | Papua New Guinea citizen and resident non-citizen | K100 |
| (d) | Papua New Guinea citizen child or student trekker and PNG resident non-citizen child or student trekker (up to 18 years) |
K50 |
| (e) | aid and volunteer workers | K nil |
Fees for short treks of one to 5 days duration are based on K30 per person per day for international trekkers with a proportionate reduction for other classes of trekkers as listed above.
Please note that Trek Permit fees for 2004 are less than 2005, so we welcome “End of 2004 Treks”.
TREK
Kokoda Track guides and porters will offer every assistance, but it should be remembered that the Kokoda Track is an individual experience even if you are traveling with a group. You must be both physically and mentally fit to walk the entire Track. Your guide and porters are more than familiar with the Track due to their numerous journeys and caring experiences with trekkers of all nationalities. The porters are restricted to a maximum backpack weight of 15 – 20 Kg for trekking. Daily walks vary from 4 to 8 hours between villages and / or campsites. You have the same guide and normally the same porters for the duration of the trek and have the opportunity to experience the friendliness of village life along the Track.
In country tour costs per trekker in PNG Kina include guide, porter, food, airfare (one way between Port Moresby and Kokoda), road transport between Port Moresby and Owers’ Corner, KTA Trek Permit, village guest house and/or campsite fees. Trekkers normally pay for their hotel accommodation in Port Moresby (for one day before and one day after the trek), as well as their return airfares from their home to Port Moresby. Bookings made through overseas tour operators would normally include such fares and Port Moresby hotel accommodation in their package. Trekkers should also arrange their own travel and health insurance.
GUIDELINES FOR TREKKING THE KOKODA TRACK (TRAIL)
The Kokoda Track Authority and Landowners of the Kokoda Track welcome you to the experience ahead of you.
| 1. | Ensure you have your Trek Permit obtained from Kokoda Track Authority or through your Travel Agent or Tour Operator. |
| 2. | Trek Permits are to be carried by Trekkers and stamped by Village Recorders if desired as a memento of your trek. There is no fee charged for stamping of these Permits. Trekkers without the Kokoda Track Authority permits will be required to return to Kokoda Track Authority office at Sogeri or to the Kokoda agency office, presently located adjacent to Kokoda Post Office to obtain their permits upon paying the Permit Fee. |
| 3. | Individual Trekkers or Groups should be accompanied by a recognized Guide from the Kokoda Track area, and if required, porters from the Kokoda Track villages. Such is a safety measure to protect people from becoming lost and assisting in case of injury, ill health and advising on war history, eco-tourism interests and general information. |
| 4. | Please follow the recognized Kokoda Track. Do not detour off the Track, your guide knows the way. |
| 5. | Overnight in village guesthouses is welcome. Ensure Guest House fees are paid in cash and obtain a receipt. Up to K20.00 per night is the recommended fee for trekkers and sometimes K5.00 for guides and porters. No credit facilities are available. Meals are a separate cost. |
| 6. | Bush campsites are available in numerous locations but trekkers may be requested to pay the landowners an overnight fee up to a maximum of K15.00 per trekker. Guest house, bush campsite accommodation and food for meals is normally paid by the Tour Group Leader or Guide. |
| 7. | Bush campsites are available in numerous locations but trekkers may be requested to pay the landowners an overnight fee up to a maximum of K15.00 per trekker. Guest house, bush campsite accommodation and food for meals is normally paid by the Tour Group Leader or Guide. |
| 8. | Please respect the culture and religion of the communities. Seventh Day Adventist is the predominant religion and people observe prayer daily between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm, and their Sabbath from 5.00 pm Friday to 6.00 pm Saturday. Do not put requests to the communities at these times. You are welcome to join their church services. |
| 9. | Trekkers commencing and completing their trek should visit the Kokoda Track Authority office or representatives at Riverside Store Sogeri, and Agency at the Kokoda Post Office to have their journey recorded. Your trek can be monitored by radio transceivers located in each village along the Track. Some Guides may carry a handheld radio for additional communication with their base in Port Moresby or Kokoda, other villages and Kokoda Track Authority. |
| 10. | Trekkers should be medically fit and have medical insurance coverage and also carry basic first aid supplies. Your Guide should have a First Aid Kit for medication of the group of trekkers and porters if required. |
| 11. | Do not litter the Track, village, guesthouse or campsite areas. Please burn or bury waste. |
| 12. | Do not deface or damage memorials, trees or buildings. |
| 13. | The Trek Permit Fee paid by all trekkers is for funding community infrastructure projects and their maintenance, together with the maintenance and upgrading of the Track facilities such as walking track and creek/river crossings, radio communication, signage, memorials, airstrips, etc. It is not for paying Trekkers’ personal expenses of guesthouse, campsite, food, cultural performances, village museums or scenic attractions. |
| 14. | The Kokoda Track Authority accepts no liability for any injury or loss sustained by trekkers and their guides and porters on the Kokoda Track. |
INFORMATION & BOOKINGS
For more information, please contact the Kokoda Track Authority or the Papua New Guinea Tourism
Promotion Authority or Click here to access the Kokoda Trail Tour Operators Directory.
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Kokoda Track Authority
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PNG Tourism Promotion Authority
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