Kokoda Track and Buna Battlefields Tour

12 days – 11 nights

NEXT 2024 TOUR DATES

April 2024 – ANZAC Day tour

Please enquire for private group bookings.

NEXT TOUR DATES

details coming soon

YOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

  • Arrive at Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby.
  • You’ll be met by your Australian guide at the airport and make your way to the domestic terminal.
  • Flight to New Girua Airport, Popondetta, Oro Province.
  • We are collected at the airport and driven 45min to “New Buna” Village.
  • We are treated to a Traditional Village welcome by our hosts and introduced to our beach side guest-house.

DAY 2: BUNA

  • Wake up to the beautiful ocean views right outside your guest-house. Take a swim in the balmy 25 degree water of the Solomon Sea.
  • After breakfast we begin a tour of the local area with a focus on the military history from WWII.
  • Visit the historic grave-site of T.T Logan from the 2/12th Battalion.
  • Visit an anti-aircraft gun still in position next to the old Dobodura airstrip.
  • Old bomb craters and aircraft engine in the Buna Primary School yard.
  • Walk along the road where Raphael Oimari found George Whittington (photo below).
  • In the afternoon you can enjoy a leisurely walk along the local beach, with an ocean shoreline populated with coconut palms and beautiful tropical vegetation.

DAY 3: SANANADA

  • We start our day with a beautiful walk along the coast to Sanananda.
  • Explore a fantastic military museum before being treated to a delightful local lunch prepared by our hosts.
  • On the walk back we visit “Old Buna”, located on the edge of their picturesque river and home of a military museum with an excellent weapon and artefact collection.
  • We walk back toward New Buna through magnificent lush vegetation, observing traditional local homes nestled amongst the jungle. We explore the area known as the “Japanese Triangle” defensive position with several old bunkers.

DAY 4: DENIKI

  • We bid farewell to the northern beaches and venture up the Kokoda highway, stopping at significant battle sites such as Awala, Gorari and the Kumusi River.
  • At Kokoda we explore the Burt Kienzle Memorial Museum and the various monuments on the plateau. This was the scene of the first major engagementof the campaign and we examine the positions where the Japanese attacked the Australian defenders.
  • After lunch we head up our first major hill to Deniki and the stunning views back down the Yodda Valley. It was from here that the young defenders of the 39th Battalion looked down to Kokoda and the massing Japanese forces in early August 1942.

DAY 5: ALOLA

  • Today we continue our uphill climb before we reach the incredible memorial at the Isurava battle site. Here we examine the large scale and extremely pivotal battle that took place over 4 days in August 1942.
  • After lunch we move up toward the Resthouse area which was the scene of another ferocious firefight as the Japanese were trying to outflank the Australian positions.
  • We finish our day at Alola which was the location of Brigade HQ during the Isurava battle.

DAY 6: TEMPLETON’S CROSSING

  • The start of the day begins with a sharp descent and then a climb up to the Eora Creek battle site where we observe the position of a Japanese mountain gun deployed against the advancing Australians in October 1942.
  • We then descend down to the mighty Eora Creek where we break for morning tea.
  • As we begin another climb uphill we pass by old Australian trenches used as defensive positions during the Australian withdrawal.
  • A long and challenging day sees us reach the welcome sight of our camp at Templeton’s Crossing.

DAY 7: NADURI

  • This morning we start with a sharp climb to the top of Mount Bellamy which is the highest point we reach on the track (2190m).
  • We then descend steadily before arriving at the stunning 1900 Crossing camp site where we break for morning tea.
  • It’s then onto the Myola airfield and hospital site where we analyze the importance of this amazingly baron dry lake bed area.
  • Our afternoon trek has us arriving at Naduri where we visit the grave of one of the last remaining Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, Ovuru Ndiki.

DAY 8: MENARI

  • Our journey this morning takes us to the true heart of the Owen Stanley Ranges … Efogi Village.
  • We visit one of the few Japanese memorials along the track, this one dedicated to Japanese soldier Kokichi Nishimura who spent many years in PNG after the war.
  • A dry and exposed incline awaits us as we climb up toward Mission Ridge and then to the emotional Brigade Hill battle site. We break here for lunch on the battlefield where this huge battle was fought in September 1942.
  • A long downhill walk has us arriving for a well earned swim in the river by which there is a plaque dedicated to famous Australian war photographer Damien Parer. It’s then onto Menari which is our campsite for the night.

DAY 9: NAURO

  • We start our day with a steady climb out of Menari, before descending down a feature known as “The Wall”. This brings us to relatively flat terrain as we walk alongside the Brown River.
  • We break for lunch and a relaxing swim at beautiful Agulogo Village.
  • After lunch we trek up the beginning of the “9 false peaks” before arriving at picturesque Nauro.
  • Today is shorter than most so we have time to wander the village and enjoy the scenic valley views. This area is often characterized by wonderful evening sunsets.

DAY 10: UA ULE

  • After completing the remainder of the “false peaks”, we reach the top of the Maguli Range before we descend toward beautiful Ofi Creek where we literally fall into the water to cool off after a long descent.
  • We stop at “Jap Camp” and explore old trenches and a mountain gun emplacement.
  • In the afternoon we venture to Ioribaiwa Village which was the furthest point of the Japanese advance in September 1942.
  • We then trek through a serene creek system deep under the jungle canopy to our final camp of the night at Ua Ule Creek.

DAY 11: PORT MORESBY

  • This morning we climb the mighty Imita Ridge, where the Australians were preparing to make their final stand against the advancing Japanese.
  • We descend toward the Goldie River which provides us with our last river crossing and swim of the journey.
  • Following this we have a final 40min climb before we cross under the famous arches, marking the conclusion of our mountain trek.
  • After lunch we visit Bomana War Cemetery, the resting place of 3,779 service personnel from a variety of Commonwealth nations.

DAY 12: DEPARTURE

  •  A lunchtime departure for our flight back to Australia.

INCLUSIONS:

  • Australian guide with extensive campaign knowledge.
  • Experienced PNG based operational team – Porters and Management.
  • Trek Doctor/Paramedic.
  • All accommodation.
  • All food (*except lunch on Day 12).
  • Internal flights and transfers within PNG.
  • Training support in the lead-up to the trek.
  • Access to Australian owned security company in Port Moresby if required.
  • Satellite phone on the track for emergency calls.
  • Fees for access to artefacts and war relics.
  • Visit to Bomana War Cemetery.
  • Use of private tent – one per person if required.
  • Campsite fees.
  • Kokoda Crossing t-shirt.
  • Constant phone support in the lead up to the expedition.
  • Equipment familiarisation session with your guide.
  • Training guidance and advice.

EXCLUSIONS:

  • International airfares to and from Port Moresby.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Spending money (drinks in Port Moresby and on the Track, souvenirs, extra snacks bought from the villagers).
  • Trekking equipment (sleeping bags, sleeping mats, backpacks).

YOUR TOTAL COSTS:

  • Trek – $4250 (Personal porters are available if required $620)
  • International airfares.
  • Travel insurance.