Walking Kokoda

Walking Kokoda

Walking the Kokoda Track – an Epic PNG Trek, May 2019

Brad and Pedro guided a group of Sydney friends on a crossing of the fabled Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea.

Kokoda is a place steeped in history as the location of a lengthy military campaign against the invading Japanese in World War II.

It is a place where in excess of 600 Australians and 2000 New Guineans lost their lives. A very humbling place. As always, a tear or two is shed in remembrance of the courageous sacrifices our forebears made.

Isurava Memorial

Japanese ammunition

Great Walks of the world

Military history aside, Kokoda is in my opinion one of the great walks of the world. It extends 96 kilometres through virgin rainforest that is the spine of New Guinea, the Owen Stanley Range. It is not an easy undertaking and is an advanced trek.

Cloud forest

Creek crossing

The trail is interspersed with numerous villages. Many locals continue to live a traditional subsistence existence without many of the modern conveniences.

We trekked from north to south, Kokoda to Owers Corner.

The track is ordinarily crossed in 7-9 days however, due to inclement weather which prevented our flight to Kokoda, we ended up crossing the track in a condensed 4.5 days.

This made for some big days but the group was exceptionally well prepared.

Leaving Nauro

Swimming hole at Va-Ule Creek

Va-Ule Campsite

It was in all respects an ‘epic’ trip. We are all richer for the experience and most of all, utterly humbled by history.”

Brad Horn (& Pedro O’Connor)

For more on this epic challenge watch the Kokoda Track 2019 video below

– the amazing music is by our Epic trek team.

If you’re interested in joining us on an epic journey walking Kokoda, please get in touch via our email. epic@epicprivatejourneys.com

#travel stories

Photography:Brad and Pedro