Getaway Trekking is a fully licensed Kokoda Trek company. Here’s everything you need to know about trekking the Kokoda Track.
After a pre-trek gathering and our first night’s accommodation in Port Moresby, we commence our Kokoda trek by road in the Getaway Trekking (GT) Private Motor Vehicle (PMV), bound for Owers’ Corner. At this point, the Kokoda Track commences. On our way, we stop at Bomana War Cemetery to honour those who died in the 1942 Kokoda Campaign. It is a reminder of their sacrifice.
When you trek Kokoda with us, we start our journey across the Owen Stanley Range by going downhill to the Goldie River. Don’t worry, our trek leaders and loyal carriers will help us wade across the river.
In the next eight days, we will hike and visit many historical places. These places include Imita Ridge, where Australia made its final stand, and Ioribaiwa Ridge, which was the farthest point reached by the Japanese.
Another stop will be Brigade Hill, where a terrible battle took place during our soldiers’ retreat. Additionally, we will visit Eora Creek Village, where 99 Australian soldiers died in gunfights. Lastly, we will visit Isurava Battlefield, where Private Bruce Kingsbury was killed in battle and later awarded the Victoria Cross.
We will hold a small memorial service at Brigade Hill and another larger service at the Isurava Battlefield Memorial. Both events honour the bravery and sacrifice of Australian soldiers. During the service at Isurava, you will be invited to participate, perhaps with a reading or poem (should you wish to do so). The Last Post will be played, and the National Anthems will be sung.
Our Kokoda Track trek concludes once we enter the Kokoda Arch at Kokoda Village. We will reflect on the experiences of Australian soldiers during the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the last eight days of the campaign to help us understand the challenges they faced. This will give us a deeper appreciation for their sacrifices.
We will spend our final night on the Kokoda Trail at Kokoda Village before returning to Port Moresby the following morning. Upon our arrival, we will transfer back to our hotel for a hot shower and our final dinner as a group. This evening is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon what, for many, will have been the experience of a lifetime.
‘We are here today, because they were here before us.’
Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby (Google Map)
Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s most naturally beautiful countries. Soaring mountain peaks, unspoiled beaches, lush rainforests, unique flora and fauna and the cultural richness of the people combine to make Papua New Guinea an increasingly popular destination for tourists, not to mention the renowned and fabled ‘Kokoda Track’, home to many life-changing Kokoda Tours.
Arrive Port Moresby, transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Pre trek briefing and first group dinner (own cost)
Transfer by road to Bomana War Cemetery, containing more than 3,700 casualties of the Second World War. Continuing to Sogeri Monument before arriving at Owers’ Corner where the Kokoda Track commences. Inspect the Owers’ Corner Memorial as well as a 25-pound Artillery gun. Commence trek with steep descent to Goldie River. Cross river, continue through Uberi and past Dump 66 arriving at Goodwater campsite.
Commence with steep ascent up to Imita Ridge, site of the final defensive stand by the Australians, who were told there would be no further withdrawal from this point. Commence steep descent to Ua Ule Creek, crossing many times, before arriving Ua-Ule for lunch. Complete day with challenging ascent to Ioribaiwa Village.
Ascend to the top of Ioribaiwa Ridge, the furthest point reached by the Japanese before they were ordered to “advance to the rear”. Continue into Ofi Creek campsite,
before tackling the 9 false peaks of the Maguli Range. Finish with challenging but spectacular descent into the beautiful village of Nauro, our camp for the night.
Stunning views of mountain ranges in cloud set up the day; begin with descent into Nauro swamp. Cross Brown River and continue along flat ground to ‘The Wall’ and a very steep ascent to Menari Gap. Continue to Menari, home to the last remaining Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel along the Kokoda Track. Enjoy a swim in the slow running creek and the beautiful church choir.
A steep climb up to infamous Brigade Hill; also referred to as ‘Butcher’s Hill’, site of an horrific and costly battle. Pause for Memorial Service. Enjoy beautiful views enroute to Efogi, largest settlement on Track with museum, airstrip and first aid post. Make final ascent to Efogi Village 2. Opportunity to support local economy with purchase of fruit, cans of coke, Twisties and Bilums (traditional string bags).
Long day commencing with steep descent into gorge and across Efogi River. Long climb to Naduri, continue to summit of Mt Bellamy, trekking through the ‘enchanted moss forest’, where Antarctic Beech forest, phosphorescent fungi and giant Pandanus line the track. Descend to Dump 1 via Kokoda Gap enjoying more spectacular views.
Short but steep descent to Eora Creek, cross and continue to
Templetons 2. Continue past numerous weapon pits, as we make our way to Eora Creek Village; site of the ‘Battle of Eora Creek’. Trek along narrow and slippery tracks to Alola with spectacular views and friendly locals. Final leg into Isurava Battlefield.
Rise early for our Memorial Service, reflecting upon the courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice of all soldiers during the Kokoda Campaign. Our Service is held at the Isurava Battlefield Memorial. Continue through Deniki and onto the village of Hoi with its beautiful and refreshing creek. A final 2 hour walk to the Kokoda Track Arch.
If returning to Port Moresby by private charter, transfer the short distance to Kokoda Airstrip. If connecting with commercial flight from Popondetta, leave Kokoda and transfer by road. Either way, will take about 30 minutes to fly over what took us 8 days to walk. Final dinner in Port Moresby. (own cost)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia.
*In the event that a Guesthouse is not available, Tents and/or Bivvys will be erected as a sleeping alternative.
Trekking Kokoda with my daughter was the most amazing – awesome thing I have done. I penned a poem about our experience with choosing a Trekking Company and the benefits of going with Getaway Trekking.
THANKS FOR THE MOST AMAZING – AWESOME TIME
Was looking for a company, my daughter and me,
To do the Kokoda, a track you must see,
There’s so many out there, just google it you’ll agree,
So after time wasted, and a phone call or two,
It was pretty obvious, about who,
Getaway trekking, for quality and cost,
And Laurie the leader, who won’t get you lost.
So out on the hill, to train like a machine,
I had too many kilos, I had to get lean,
On September the fifth, time was up,
Jumped on a plane, to get closeup,
Packed my bags, with all kinds of stuff,
I really did take, heaps enough.
Out on the track, you won’t have to worry,
Cause the knowledge and wit, of a tour guide named Laurie,
He’s got it sorted, from the flights to the feeds,
And the porters will take care, of all your needs,
Three cheers for Laurie, he’s one of a kind,
A better leader, I think, you will not find.
Don’t just dream it, do it and see,
You’ll be amazed at the scenery, just like me,
From the terrain to the history, it can’t be described,
From the food to the fun, and a pig on the side,
A more caring company, it will be hard to beat,
Give them a ring, and book your seat,
So 5 stars for the company, 3 cheers for Laurie,
If you choose Getaway, you won’t be sorry.
Craig Mibus,
Digby Vic.
My experience completing the Kokoda trek with Getaway trekking was honestly amazing! The trek leader and PNG boys who assisted with the trek were all so welcoming and friendly and made it a thoroughly enjoyable trip with zero worries.
My experience completing the Kokoda trek with Getaway trekking was honestly amazing! The trek leader and PNG boys who assisted with the trek were all so welcoming and friendly and made it a thoroughly enjoyable trip with zero worries. The food on the trek is delicious! I don’t even have words to describe how much I loved the experience of trekking with the company – it was absolutely perfect and I will definitely be trekking with them again.
Greg, our leader was just great! Highly organised, as we’d come to expect from being our Car Club President for some 8 years. Provided excellent insight into the history of the Kokoda campaign throughout the trek, very emotional it was too.
The “boys”, read “men”, were all just fantastic. Really caring about their charges, never a complaint and unbelievably sure footed and tough with heavy packs. Well organised by Humphrey the Trek Master, great food, plenty of it and the whole team was just great. Could not recommend Getaway any higher to anyone wanting a unique Kokoda experience, not just of the toughness of the track itself, but of the Campaign that has made it so well known. Enforces just how lucky we are to live in this great country, and what we owe to those who went to PNG and did not come home, as well as those that did, carrying scars that most continued to hide for the rest of their lives.
Hiking the Kokoda trail is one of those things that needs to be experienced, to be understood. An adventure; one that only those who have experienced it, can truly appreciate. And maybe that’s the magic of it?!
It’s the kind of place that sinks deep into your bones and is hard to shake. My Dad and I are so glad that we chose Getaway Trekking as the company to trek with. Our leader, Russell was fantastic. His love for the trail, the history, and helping people experience the best of Kokoda, is evident in the way he leads. Our porters (the Buna boys) are some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. They consistently went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. They crew feels like family now!
The experience is difficult to describe – it was overwhelming and profound. There is no one thing you can pull out to say “THAT” is what made it great – it was the combination of everything that we did and that happened.
The experience is difficult to describe – it was overwhelming and profound. There is no one thing you can pull out to say “THAT” is what made it great – it was the combination of everything that we did and that happened. The astonishingly beautiful country; the inspiring and amazing trek leader; the tough trail; the local boys who helped with cooking and carrying; the way they sang in the mornings; the way our walking group, who were total strangers at the start if the trek, bonded and supported each other; how careful the tour leaders were to make sure no one got sick or hurt; washing in mountain streams; the beautiful campsites; the fireflies at night and the slow dawn that emerged after wake-up call; the silence; the music; the monuments to Australian soldiers; how solemn the serves were; how joyful reaching our destination was at the end of each day and then finally when we reached Kokoda. All the pre trek information supplied to us was excellent, our Accommodation at The Stanley was 5star