A superb trek into the heartland of Papua New Guinea, the Kokoda Trail holds a very important place in Australian history. Commencing at Ower’s Corner, your trek follows the 96km Kokoda Trail across the Owen Stanley Range to the village of Kokoda. You will be spoilt by a constant backdrop of pristine rainforest wilderness and local villages providing a unique cultural perspective. From July 1942 the route over the Owen Stanley Range witnessed the battle hardened Japanese war machine encounter young, unprepared, untrained, unproven and hopelessly outnumbered Australian soldiers. You will hear the stories of Kingsbury, Col Owen, Metson, McCallum, Potts, Honner, the Bissett brothers and many more on your Adventure1000 Kokoda trek.

It was on Kokoda that the myth of Japanese invincibility was broken for the first time. The track stretches some 96km through what is arguably some of the most rugged and wild jungle in the world.

Built over 200 years ago as a commuting route between villages, the Trail became the scene of bitter fighting between Australian and Japanese soldiers. It is thought the Japanese aim was to secure Port Moresby as a forward mounting base for possible insertion into Australia.

Today battle sites are still evident throughout the jungle, marked by the weapon pits of the combatants. The battle sites remain remarkably well preserved; it’s as though the Australian soldiers who sheltered there had shouldered their packs and walked away only a day or two ago. Many relics of the war can still be found - a testament to the ferocity of the fighting.

Our Trek Leaders understand the history of the Trail and you will receive a number of enlightening orientation briefs during the trek. This is a trek that you can feel proud to say you’ve completed; as a mark of respect to Australian wartime history, and of course, as a personal physical challenge.