(above) Heysen Trail Bushwalking Club ..South Australia

Client Testimonials

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Our 2009 Testimonials: Team 15  to Team-1 (scroll down)

2009 TREK TEAM 15 ( Last trek for 2009 Kokoda season)

On behalf of our merry band of Government House trekkers, thank you for a great trip over the Kokoda Track.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience which in no small way was due to your detailed planning and effective leadership.

 Your passion and detailed knowledge brought the military history of the campaign to life and enabled us to satisfy the goals of the journey.

 I think we were all impressed with your genuine affection for the local people and the practical way in which you are driving the much needed assistance programs.

 As I mentioned on the Track, our group is keen to become involved in some small way with helping the local community. It would seem that Andy Ndiki at Naduri would be ideal. We look forward to hearing in due course, how we can help.

 Again, from all of us in the Government House team, Adelaide, thankyou for a memorable experience on the Kokoda Track.

 With best wishes

 Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR

 Governor of South Australia.

 Kokoda Team 15

I had a thoroughly enjoyable trek due in part to the wonderful support of the trek crew.Likewise, I was  very impressed with the professionalism of the Back Track Trek Leader & his intimate knowledge of the key historical aspects of the Kokoda campaign which contributed to a wonderful experience. I would have no hesistation in recommending your trekking company to anyone who is seriously considering experiencing Kokoda.
Anon Kokoda Team 15 ( extract from trekkers's feedback)

2009 TREK TEAM 14

What a week ! Lots of ups and downs, literally, but overall an exxceptional experience that i'll never forget. thanks to Back Track and to Steve for bringing us home safely.

Anon Kokoda Team 14 ( extract from trekkers's feedback)

Steve our guide was amazing and had exceptional knowledge about Kokoda etc. The crew were fantastic-always there to help, friendly. Had a really really really great holiday - thank you |

Anon Kokoda Team 14 ( extract from trekkers's feedback)

Anon Kokoda Team 14 ( extract from trekkers's feedback)

2009 TREK TEAM 13

I felt the trek was fantastic. Gareth our Leader/guide made the trip - he was exceptional. However, if he could take a guitar & sing as well that would be sensational.

Equipment was good.
The half day trek is a good idea, allows trekkers tired muscles to ease, wash and dry clothes.

The food/meals was totally unexpected, I never thought I would eat so well. Contract porters were good and got on well with the whole Team. My dealings with Back Track prior to the trek were faultless, thankyou. Everytime I rang or emailed I got a response. I would have no hesistation in recommending Back Track to any of my friends/family.

Thanks again

P.D/ Kokoda Team 13

I have enjoyed this trip. Gareth's information and knowledge and the way he conducts the trek is fantastic!

I would recommend other people use Back Track without hesistation. The food was better than what a lot of us cook up at home and thought the idea of us helping the cook was enjoyable and gives us and the porters time to get to know eachother a lot more. Overall if I choose to do this trek again which will probably happen, I will be booking with Back Track.

Thank you for a memorable and inspirational adventure. I am very happy with it.

Anon / Kokoda Team 13 ( extract from trekker's feedback)

2009  TREK TEAM 12 A

Just a comment on Samson my porter. I thought he was magnificent, he was honest,was always there, helpful, and nothing was a problem for him to help me. Thanks Back Track for a great Holiday.

T.M. / Kokoda Team 12A

Great experience -always felt safe and secure owing to professionalism of Back Track orginisation, the Team Leader and the help of the great PNG trek crew.   Would certainly recommend Back Track to friends and aquaintances.

Anon / Kokoda Team 12A (extract from trekker's feedback forms)

I enjoyed the food supplied - simple but nutritious. I greatly appreciated the guidance and good advice I received , particularly at the beginning of the trek when i found the going difficult. The porter i was assigned was excellent and very helpful, his name was Lemeki.

Anon / Kokoda Team 12A (extract from trekker's feedback forms)

2009  TREK TEAM 12 B

This is my second Kokoda trek with Back Track and I found it to be equally enjoyable, interesting and as challenging

as the first - a great adventure. Martin, ( leader) was absolutely brilliant. I learnt so much about the history from him and he was a considerate and caring leader. Great bloke who got us all home even nursed Greg through a potentially serious episode.

Anon / Kokoda Team 12B ( extract from trekker's feedback)

The crew and Martin were excellent. It was the experience of a lifetime. I will never forget it. Thanks for a great enjoyable trip, apart from those bloody hills - ha ha.

B.K / Kokoda Team 12 B

Trek Leader ( Martin) was fantastic. He is selfless and has a passion for the Track which he shared with us all - couldn't ask for anything better. All in all a brilliant trip.

Anon / Kokoda Team 12B ( extract from trekker's feedback)

2009  TREK TEAM 11

It was everything I wanted and more.  Nerida, our Tour leader was exceptional. Walk was challenging, painful but ultimately a great achievement. Porters were well chosen and very helpful.  Will look for Back Track again when travelling elsewhere.

Anon / Kokoda Team 11 (extract from trekker's feedback forms)

Nerida was very caring and supportive throughout the trek,couldn't have asked for a better leader. knowledgeable without getting too involved in detail. She was always super positive and happy at all times which was sometimes hard for us to understand. This trek was  very challenging, well planned, and really enjoyed the campsites chosen. Thanks for everything.

Anon / Kokoda Team 11 (extract from trekker's feedback forms)

2009 TREK TEAM 10

The trekking crew and porters were exceptional....they were there to lend a hand,collect water whatever was needed.....we are all that much richer for having them as part of our holiday.  Food,service,equipment-all faultless. Our leader Gary was faultless,fun,knowledgeable. He lead us when required, but allowed both the personalties & skill sets within the group to also shine.

K.E  / Kokoda Team 10

All in all my expectations were exceeded-it was a great holiday and a terrific experience. Thanks Back Track will recommend you to others. Might even look at trekking another trek sometime. Thanks Gary you did a great job.

Anon / Kokoda Team 10

Thank you so much for the opportunity to trek with Back Track, and I’m fairly confident I’ll try some more challenges with you before the bones expire. Garry does a great job and if I was a couple of years younger, I would be interested in doing the same as he (and my old Navy Clearance Diver mate Graeme Johnson) does with you. My son and I had a fantastic time and in fact there was one humorous situation where we were climbing a very steep section and Stewart was right behind me when I had to stop and the top of his head hit my butt. He commented along the lines “any closer and I could have seen whet you had for breakfast dad” to which I replied “ I was hoping this trip would bring us closer together!” Our group was fairly bunched up at the time so lots of laughs at the exchange between Stew and I. I’m in the process of compiling a DVD of our trip which will include some sound tracks of recordings of our porters singing along with photos both Stew and I took, and some others sent to me by fellow Team 10 trekkers. Again, many thanks for the experience.

C.D / Kokoda Team 10

2009 TREK TEAM 9

Excellent trip. Motivation from Ray our Team Leader kept team going and raised enjoyment immensley. Fantastic trekking crew who made the trip much easier than it could have been.

Anon / Kokoda Team 9 (extract from trekker's feedback forms)

I was surprised and blown away by each and every porters attentivness and care to each of us - the spirit of the Fuzzy Wuzzy that we came to honour lives on in each and every one of them - they make the trip even more special.

Anon / Kokoda Team 9 (extract from trekker's feedback forms)

 leader

Great experience, great trip, great company, great group, great trek leader.
Anon / Kokoda Team 9 (extract from trekker's feedback forms)

2009 TREK TEAM 8

Just wanted to send a quick email for a few reasons. Firstly, just to thank you guys for the amazing experience I had with the team and my Dad on the Kokoda trip, team 8! We had a great team, and a fantastic leader, Damo, who really made the trip what it was. His historical knowledge was fantastic, and it meant we didn't have to go trawling through our guide books at every site along the track. He knew so much, and even took us out onto the Track one night to sit there and feel what it would have been like for the soldiers on the Track at night, a truly moving experience. He made the trip a lot of fun and really helped a few of us through on the tough days, even though he was feeling sick for the last few days himself. We had a great team, and were very lucky not to get sick or too injured, just a few rolled ankles, especially given the tradgedy of the plane accident of late. Secondly, thanks for meeting us at the airport! It was great to put a face to a name and it was a lovely way to rap up the rest of the trip! Finally, I was wondering if we received the official team photo and certificate of completion? And if Dad's and my own could be sent to my address? I was wanting to get them framed up as a surprise for him for fathers day. Thank you again so much! I can't really express what a fantastic trip it was and wouldnt dream of doing it with any other company, although dad is now talking of kilamanjaro in 2012!.. Can't wait to travel with your team again.
  Thanks doesn't seem enough! Rach..xx

Rachael / Kokoda Team 8 2009

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you so very much for my wonderful experience of doing the Kokoda Trail.  Thank you to Damien and especially to Deborah and Ray who were so helpful in getting me organised and prepared for my adventure

Maree / Kokoda Team 8 2009

2009 TREK TEAM 7

So much more than I expected. Was such an enjoyable and pleasurable trip. I feel we definetly got value for our money. Thankyou for a great and challenging experience. No bullsh** !t
Annon / Kokoda Team 7 2009  ( extract from Trekker's Feedback Form)

The trek has more than deserved a top rating. Everything to the finest detail was perfect. Ian was a caring leader.

D.M / Kokoda Team 7 2009  ( extract from trekker's Feedback Form)

2009 TREK TEAM 6

Jo is an awesome trek leader. We have enjoyed the trek immensely and I could not think of a better person then Jo to have lead this trek. The porters were fantastic and they certainly contributed to the experience..I will recommend Back Track to my family & friends and I look forward to my next trip with Back track and Jo.

Annon. / Kokoda Team 6 2009 ( extract from Trekkers Feedback form)

When I signed up for the trek I was preparing myself for both a physical and mentally tough challenge. At the conclusion of the trek, I found the journey rewarding emotionally and extremely worthwhile. The care and attention given by the crew was second to none. trek Leader Jo should be commended on her manner  and energy. I cant think what it would be like trekking without her.  I have no hesitation in recommending Back Track to any of my friends or family. Well done.

Annon / Kokoda Team 6 (extract fromTrekkers Ffeedback Forms)

2009 TREK TEAM 5

I just wanted to thank Back Track for a great holiday.

 I can’t say I enjoyed it........ but I did have a great time, met some wonderful people and some crazey ones.

 Our team leader, Megan, did a marvellous job.

She adapted to changing situations seamlessly, keeping everyone well informed, Made everyone feel part of the team and included in all that was happening.

Ensured individual team members had the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability.

Megan’s knowledge of the track and the military history was outstanding. The service held at Brigade Hill was quite moving.

Her ability to conger a seemingly endless supply of birthday cakes from her pack was remarkable.

In retrospect she seemed to conger whatever was require out of that pack.

Our porters were excellent, always close by catering to our every need in a helpful and happy manner.

 Back Tracks pre travel arrangements, information and support were outstanding. Everyone knew what to expect and what was expected of them.

 The food was good and well prepared.

 Having past much larger groups on the track, Back Tracks small size teams appear a much better alternative, allowing better management and greater comradery.

 So thank you for the good work done by all those involved.

 A.H / Kokoda Team 5 2009

2009 TREK TEAM 4

The whole trip was an excellent experience. Your leadership of the trek and your knowledge was impressive. I thought that the crew were very good also;attentive, polite,. I will certainly recommend Back Track to all.

 T.O / Team 4 2009

JJJust thought I’d share this little story with you all…

Looks like some of the stories that I’ve re-told from Jim’s passionate version plus the info in the Bill James book has rubbed off on my kids. Each night I have been reading a day from the diary I kept along the Track to my kids – Kate (10yo) and Will (7yo). They have also been present when my parents came over and I went through the highlights of the Track again with map out, and again talking about some of the very moving stories of the conflict and the individuals who stood so tall.

So, tonight Will is telling me about his day at school and the play he had at school and then afterwards at home  - they played army. He says, “at school, I set up this big battle and I was Bruce Kingsbury and Marcus (his mate) was Butch Bissett. We fought all the 13 of the girls and beat them all” Then he says when Marcus came home they played again and Will was Stan Bissett and Marcus was “ichi, ni, san” (which is Japanese for one, two three – they learn Japanese at school) and I beat him of course.  

My parents were wrapped with the report on the trip and have taken the book to read as well. Mum’s Uncle apparently served in PNG and we have a lot of his medals etc but they never knew anything specific about the conflict.

 These guys are now household names here and we had not heard of them 2 weeks ago. Makes me feel very proud.

P.H / Kokoda Team 4 2009 o. Makes me very proud.   

2009 TREK TEAM 3

Had a great trip and all thanks to Graeme, he was fantastic. Can't speak highly enough of him. Without his expertise, patience and care the trip wouldn't have been the same. So, thanks for providing a wonderful leader.

L.G / Team 3 2009

Just a quick note but I know that sometimes immediately after an event is not always the best time to provide feedback as you tend to be caught up in the euphoria of the moment. But I am now back in the real world of work where I consume cold water, use a bathroom and only flatulate in the privacy of my office when I am alone so wanted to share with you that I am walking around now with an extra spring in my steps and great eagerness to embrace life like I cannot remember when. Any thoughts of my time on the Kokoda Track immediately brings a smile to my face.

 So now in the face of reality and normalcy, I wanted to again thank you personally and express my great appreciation of the efforts and services of your company  and also for your personal efforts and great companionship and leadership on the track. I have met many people in my life but I shall never forget my friends from the trek.

 T.G / Team 3  2009

2009 ANZAC  DAY TREKS TEAMS 1 & 2

Congratulations Back Track Adventures- trek of a life time. 

‘2 more minutes – 1 more minute – Packs on – Lets Rocks n Roll’ who can forget the porters who were total gentlemen and always there if needed.  Steve our team leader’s  knowledge of the New Guinea campaign and all the battle sites was astonishing – Steve you are a legend.  I found Anzac Day dawn service on Brigade Hill very moving and meaningful, thanks.      Back Track Adventures approach to safety was reinforced by the limitation of team numbers to 14, provision of hygiene gel, the ability to contact Port Moresby by satellite phone in an emergency and knowledge of the safe drinking watering points, all so important to ensure our whole team was able to comfortably complete the trek.

Back track adventures you have fulfilled and surpassed my life time dream.   I hope to be able to do another trek in the future.

J. S / Anzac Day Treks 09

I would like to thank you for the perfect Kokoda trek which Back Track provided.Right from the initial dealings with you I could in no way be any happier with the help-infomation-service & experience in which Back track and all your support staff provided me.From the first meeting with you at the infomation day to all the training at Mt Cootha & Mt Glorious onto the trek,the friends that I have met along the way  will last with me.A special thanks to Steve Foster,the unbelievable knowledge of Steve mixed with his fantastic attitude and love of his position is an absolute credit to him.The high light was ANZAC day,iT was perfect,I have no hesitation in recomending anyone to Back Track and I will continue to walk at Mt Coot tha with a eye on Shaggy Ridge in the coming future.

Once again thankyou for helping me fullfill a dream!!!!!!!!

 M.S / Anzac Day Treks 2009

 KOKODA TRACK (learn more about the Kokoda Track Treks)

A FEW KOKODA TESTIMONIALS: 2004- 2008

* Experience of a lifetime...thanks Steve

* Thankyou  so much for all your hard work, it has made this a holiday experience that is extremely unique and one that I will never ever forget.
* Had a great relaxing and rewarding experience. Please pass on my thanks to Steve. He was great
* One of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences of my life. To Steve, thankyou very much, your experience, knowledge and professionalism is to be commended.

Extracts from 4 trekkers "Feedback Forms" on the last Kokoda trek for 08  Kokoda season

What an adventure!!   Sorry I did not get to talk much at the airport, I was keen to get home as you could imagine.  Gareth ( our trek leader) was great, I guess you could say we did have a time of our life! Attached is a photo for you

Cheers L. G.  Deputy Principal - Blackwater State High School

Your trek leader has exceptional people skills and is very entertaining. His sense of humour is fantastic and makes the trip more enjoyable. His explanations of the history is better than any book I have read. Not only did I enjoy the trek, I learnt so much and would recommend Back Track and your guide anytime. Well done !
Matt -  Blackwater S.H.S Cadet Group, July 08

Back Track's pre trip seminars and information were all good as presented by Jim and certainlyhe and other Back Track staff were very accessible and helpful if I had any questions or needed any information via the phone. Jo, our trek leader is a winner...... and most importantly she can 'walk the talk".   A most rewarding and satisfying experience.

Annon. Team 7, July 08

A trip of a lifetime says it all, the trek, the country, were all more that I could have ever imagined. Our trek leader Gareth was an amazing guide, his knowledge of Kokoda, was like watching the History Channel, his ability to keep it and us all together under some trying circumstances was fantastic, and that sense of humour of his kept us all in stitches. Thank you Backtrack Adventures for all you have done, I will be recommending your services to all.

Cheers,  Buff, Team 6 July 08

Coming from the country and knowing noone, I was made to feel welcome and part of the Team immediately. The pre trip emails and correspondence were excellent.  Living in the country I was not able to access other people who had done the trek so having my questions answered promptly was very much appreciated. Thank you.

Also not being a frequent traveller, the information sent to me before departure was excellent. Having seen how other groups were walking the Track and the equipment they were using, I am grateful that I chose Back Track.

 M.W - Team 5, June 08

Just a short "thank you" for the well organised Kokoda adventure. I appreciated all the info that you shared with us and your attention to all the details to make the trip work so well.

Thanks again  The Cultural Ambassador  Colin

Col - Friends of the Heysen Trail SA. May 2008 ( PRIVATE GROUP)

I have just finished walking Kokoda with Megan and the rest of Team 3 and as you probably know we all went very well.

I write to thank you for your help since I first dreamt of doing this walk in 2003 which seems so long ago now. I have had a few obstacles before I could even get to Port Moresby but I never doubted that I would, one day, complete the track.

I had a fantastic time and while it was not easy it went as smoothly as I could ever have hoped for. I have no doubt your training programme was a major factor in my success.

Till next time, maybe in Nepal or maybe in South America.

J.N., Kokoda Team 3, May 2007

Just a short note to thank you for the thoroughly enjoyable trip we've just completed. At times it was a physical or mental challenge (read day 2) but it's always a buzz to achieve the goal. We were lucky with the great group of people we shared the experience with and I was especially thrilled to be able to complete the trek with Todd (son).

I would have no hesitation in using your organisation again or recommending it to somebody else.

Once again, thank you for your leadership and good humour

Regards G. H., Kokoda Team 2, April 2007

An excellent trip. Thanks for all the work you did in preparing us for the trip. I have no hesitation in recommending you to others.

A.M., Brisbane, Kokoda 2006

Thanks Back Track for an amazing experience walking the "TRACK" Your leader deserves special praise, he was great. He gave us a clear insight into the lives of the men who fought and died along that jungle path. I will never forget the experience. Thanks also to the staff in Brisbane office who helped me get organised and were never too busy to discuss any matter to assist me. I enjoyed the Mt Coot-tha walk when I was in Brisbane as well. Thanks Back Track, I will be travelling with you again.

J.B., Mackay, Kokoda 2006

Recently I had the privilege of walking the Kokoda Track under the guidance of Back Track Adventures. To say I am delighted to have done this is an understatement. To have done it with Back Track made it all more enjoyable.
Our Team Leader was Megan and she was an absolute delight. Accessible, friendly, diplomatic...................I have no hesitation in recommending Back Track to my friends.

R.B., Brisbane, Kokoda 2005

"Thanks for a great trek, absolutely fascinating, very informative, and challenging and a great eye opener. Your leadership was excellent, the trekking group was great. I will keep in touch."

T.H., Kokoda 04

By the time we left we had both been reading and training a lot! Also Scott was ringing and asking Jim and the Back Track team all of our questions, and there were a lot....nothing seemed to phase the Back Track team!!. We met our group at the Brissie airport, all wearing our supplied polo tops which made it easy to work out and off we went!

 Our guide was Gareth. .........He was cheerful at all times, helpful, incredibly informative and researched (he even carried laminated photo, diagrams and extracts to share at the appropriate times) and most of allhe was "one of us" except when he needed not to be.

 Gareth's motivation kept our trek humming along, and allowed enough time for a few small side treks (like to see a Japanese plane that didn’t clear  Isurava ridge, something we wouldn’t have known about except when he told us about it, and it was only about 200 metres from the track - although it seemed very steep!).......He also kept us up to date with local customs and manners, and how to behave when we were lucky enough to visit with a genuine WW2 Fuzzy Wuzzy. We were also kept up to date with what was happening along the track currently.

 I was rapt in the trek, the organisation and the company (both those we were with, and Back Track!) there seemed no division between us and the porters or guides, and it seemed like a bunch of mates following the track and enjoying each other’s company all day and around the camps and lamps at night.

 Most of all I was really impressed with the serious side of the trek, that of remembering those who had fallen 65 years before in the same areas we were now walking... quoting veterans as they spoke of their experiences, and talking of their lives before the war and after, of the mates they lost, and the mates they returned with...... Gareth's research was impressive, his delivery spot on, and he hit that raw nerve in all of us.

 Bravo Back Track (or should I say "On ya blokes, top stuff!").........I I do not hesitate to recommend Kokoda by "BACK TRACK" in any way.

 Thanks again N.C. (Digger) Adelaide.  Kokoda 2007

SHAGGY RIDGE (learn more about our Shaggy Ridge holiday)

This is just a quick "Thank you" to you & Back Track for initiating the Shaggy Ridge Trek. It had everything [and more] that I anticipated: eminently historical, picturesque, educative, relentless, physically & mentally challenging.
It seems to me that there are two major goals of a trek like Shaggy [ and Kokoda]: [1] Appreciation of our nation's history and of the experiences of my father's generation and [2] Learning about ourselves and how we adapt to challenging and adverse situations. Shaggy and Back Track provided those contexts for me in the company of great comrades. So once again, "Thank you".
 "Goodbye, Shaggy, you old bastard."

Neil, Inaugural Shaggy Ridge trek, August 2008

Thanks to Ray, Jenny,Steve and all the others who did the Track last month with me. A truly wonderful , Memorable , exciting experience. What an adventure . I miss being out there. I had the best time . Experienced and learnt so much about what happened there and the conditions our diggers had to endure. Best  Wishes to you all. 

Roger, Inaugral Shaggy Ridge Trek August 2008

BACK TRACK ADVENTURES- GENERAL TESTIMONIALS

We proudly share with you comments some of our Clients have made about us, our team and our services:

"I do want to extend to you and all the staff at Back Track both in Brisbane and Kathmandu the sincere thanks and appreciation of all those who participated in the St Margaret's Centenary Trek. Your organisation of all details from lists of equipment, to successfully managing the chaos of international Airports was meticulous and gave us all so much reassurance. Thank you for making possible our trip of a lifetime."

Principal, St Margaret's Girls School
Nepal Centenary Celebration trek.

"Just a note to say thanks for organizing a great trip for Cathy and I!"

C.C., National Centre for studies in Travel and Tourism

Hi Devin,

 Just a quick email to say thanks for organising a brilliant holiday! Especially at such short notice. Cath and I had a ball. The tour operator in nepal was fantastic as were the guides/porters. Nepal was the highlight by far..  Thanks again for all your assistance. Your service was far superior to that of which we had received from (Name).......

. I was so impressed, last week I recommended a friend to use  your services - (name). Once again you guys were given very short notice but were able to organise a trip for him. He flew out last night very excited based on what I had told him about Nepal. I know he is in good hands with your travel agency. Have a great weekend. 

C&C. T ( Nov 08)
used the services of our Travel Agency (Peregrine Travel Centre)

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