Experience the Kokoda Track.
The Kokoda Track is not only a beautiful, world class, jungle bushwalking experience, it is a trek into Australia’s wartime history. The Kokoda Track is as important a part of Australian history as Gallipoli. We believe it is a pilgrimage every Australian should experience in their lifetime.
View 2012 costs and dates now >
Our Campaign Itinerary is arranged so we can meet each days objective at a relaxed pace. We trek the exact war time Track with a culturally and environmentally sensitive approach. Completing the Kokoda Track is a remarkable achievement and adventure and a satisfying mental and physical challenge.
Back Track Kokoda Track treks are lead by Australian Trek Leaders, supported by our local PNG trek crew. With our trekking support team you will:
- Gain meaningful insight to the culture of the people who live in the areas we visit.
- Receive accurate and detailed briefings at all the significant war sites along the entire Kokoda Track
- Be supported by your Australian trek leader and PNG trek crew the entire duration of you stay in PNG
We offer special Anniversary treks throughout the Kokoda trekking season. 2012 marks a very special event – the 70th Anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign and to acknowledge this event we have extended our Anniversary treks for 2012:
- Anzac Day (April)
- 39th Btn 70th Anniversary Trek (July)
- Awala, 1st Japanese Encounter (July)
- 1st Battle at Kokoda (July)
- Kokoda Battle of Isurava (August)
- Kokoda Battle of Brigade Hill (September)
- Kokoda Battle of Eora Creek (October)
- Kokoda Station and Fuzzy Wuzzy Day (November)
Back Track has been trekking the Kokoda Track since 2002. Our respect for the local people, the Track history, the soldiers who fought for every inch of the Track and our passion for the trekking is second to none. We operate our own Back Track office in Port Moresby and employ local office staff and trekking crew. Our intention with every trek we lead across the Kokoda Track is to:
- Preserve the Track for its historical, cultural and environmental significance.
- Support local PNG enterprises by buying all products and services required directly from local villages and businesses.
- Provide assistance to improve health and education for villages along the Track – visit the Kokoda Track Foundation
Australian Kokoda Track Trek Leaders
Our Australian Trek Leaders really make a difference – experienced, professional and great people to trek with. They share a passion for the history and culture along the Track and love their job. Our trek leaders work with their local PNG crew to get their team across the Track. Don’t just take our word for it, read what past trekkers have said about our Leaders.
On each trek your Trek Leaders:
- Share with you detailed knowledge of the Kokoda campaign. Some Back Track trek leaders have direct connections with Diggers who fought along the Track.
- Give you insight into the culture of the local people living along the Track, with all our PNG support crew coming from villages you pass through along the way.
- Are focussed on your safety.
- Are focussed on supporting you in this incredible journey of historical and personal significance.
Safety, Health and Fitness on the Kokoda Track
Trekking the Kokoda Track is tough and physically and mentally challenging. The fitter you are the more you will enjoy the Kokoda Track. Your Health and Fitness along the Track is of paramount importance to us. Your personal training program starts as soon as you book. A detailed, simple to follow Training Schedule is provided in your Confirmation Kit that will illustrate how to start your own personal walking training programme wherever you live.
The Lost Battlefield of Eora Creek
For many years now, our trekking Teams have visited the Japanese defensive positions at Eora Creek, including a Japanese mountain gun position. This area is often referred to as the Japanese Forest Fort. Recently, the local landowners announced the existance of more defensive positions a very short distance further up the ridge, from the mountain gun position.
This extension of the Japanese Forest Fort, now called “the Lost battlefield” has been examined by The PNG Museum and Art Gallery, the Kokoda Track Authority, historians and other interested persons and plans are currently being put in place to ensure that this significant site is properly protected. Until any possible human remains have been removed and the site surveyed and documented, no trekking companies will visit this section of the Japanese Forest Fort. Early reports state that the battlefield is possibly, ’as it was’ in 1942. If so, this could well develop into an exciting opportunity to ‘restore’ a complete untouched battlefield. Read more about the Lost Battlefield of Eora Creek here.
Trek the Kokoda Track in Small Groups
Small groups and personal attention mean great team communication, harmony and fun!
Back Track operate with a maximum group size of 17 plus Trek Leader and local PNG support crew. Getting to know your Trek Leader and local crew is part of your trekking experience – we want you to get the most from this unique opportunity.
Want to take your own group across the Track? We also arrange for Private Group to trek the Kokoda Track. We provide the same quality services and inclusions as our Campaign treks, and can arrange additional activities if needed. Contact us today about booking your own Private Group across the Kokoda Track.
Do you have Kokoda Campaign Information?
New and exciting campaign information comes from unexpected sources. A member of our Brisbane staff recently discovered that his father was involved in a particularly savage battle in early 1943, fought over many days on a lonley section of road beyond Popondetta towards Sanananda. This action took place during the last days of the Kokoda campaign. The details of this all but forgotten savage assault on a fixed Japanese position, was detailed in a small book by the units Chaplin. This book is now preserved as an aging brown relic in a zip locked glad bag. I doubt if there would be another record of this action in existence. As there are now fewer old soldiers alive, who fought in the PNG campaigns, it is important for us all to collect any information we can, in any form, and pass it on so it can be recorded for future generations. You are welcome to send us information at any time.
