Kokoda Courage

21/06/2024

So happy you chose Kokoda Courage to tick this amazing trek off your bucket list Kerri O'Shaughnessy 💙

21/06/2024

Reflections from Dennis, of recent Kokoda Courage Trek…☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟

06/06/2024

Kokoda Courage is delighted to be partnering with Police Veterans Victoria. Seven police veterans will have the opportunity to trek the 96km of rugged terrain over the Owen Stanley Range, the Kokoda Track.

Raising funds to help maintain and improve PVV's essential support services.

We wish the trekkers all the best for their preparation and training, two key elements for an experience and trek of a lifetime. ☀️☀️☀️

The PVV Kokoda Trek: sponsor an Everyday Hero

04/06/2024

Final Day ⛰☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟⛰

A massive congratulations to all the trekkers who today walked under the arches at Owers Corner and completed the 96km of the Kokoda Track after a massive day of 27km yesterday - something they should be truly proud of.

After months of training and preparation and time spent with a group of like minded trekkers it is an emotional day filled with a greater understanding of the Kokoda Campaign, excitement, pride, gratitude and relief. We thank the crews for entrusting Kokoda Courage to complete this humbling and life changing experience.

We thank Peter Condon and John Miles for guiding, with professionalism, heart, fun, in-depth knowledge of the track and the history of the Kokoda Campaign. We thank our hardworking, kind, strong and forever giving trek Medics, Noreen and Shay for looking after not only our trekkers but seeing to any ailments of the team and locals along the track. Our biggest thanks goes to our local support team and porters from PNG, descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, their support, warm spirit, kindness, sense of fun and games, beautiful voices and yummy meals help to get each trekker across the 96 km of the Owen Stanley Range. Kokoda is a place of many faces, many experiences and many emotions. All of them unique, with new friends made and memories that will last a lifetime.

The trekkers have enjoyed a hot chicken roll and SP for lunch and have visited the emotional Bomana War Cemetery, the resting place of 3,779 service personnel from a variety of Commonwealth nations. ‘We walk in their footsteps. Lest we forget’.

Tonight they are celebrating in style at Lamana Hotel. 🍻🍻🍻

02/06/2024

Update from the track
☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟
Menari - Nauro

The day started with a fun Volleyball game and a Burpee and Push Up challenge 🇦🇺 V 🇵🇬, with some strong competition Lisa took home the trophy! Go girl!

Today is shorter than most so the trekkers have time to enjoy the scenic valleys, walking, talking, snacking and enjoying refreshing river swims along the Kokoda track, supporting each other to achieve their goal.

After lunch they trekked up the beginning of the challenging “9 false peaks” before arriving at picturesque Nauro.

The amazing support team, descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, entertained the two crews with a fun cultural performance of a pig hunting story.

Dinner was a hearty Cabonara.

Tomorrow will be a big day of trekking, arriving at Ua-Ule Creek for a late lunch and onto Good Water for their final night on the track.

01/06/2024

Update from the track
☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟
Alola - Templeton’s - Kagi(near Naduri) - Menari

The crew’s are trekking well and are up for the challenge of the Kokoda track, arriving in Menari this afternoon, in time for a refreshing river swim.

Today the crew trekked the exposed incline to Mission Ridge and then onto the emotional Brigade Hill battle site. Learning of the devastating battle fought in September 1942. John has been sharing his strong knowledge of the Kokoda Campaign at each of the major battle sites.

A big highlight at Menari is the delicious home cooked pizzas cooked in the wood fired pizza oven with chocolate bananas for dessert.

Tomorrow morning they are planning a game of volleyball and a push up challenge before trekking towards Nauro. The trekkers are keen to get an update on footy scores!

29/05/2024

Update from the track
☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟
Kokoda - Deniki - Alola

The team are trekking well settling in to camp the night at Alola, spaghetti bolognaise was enjoyed for dinner!

From all reports the two crews have done the preparation and are trekking well.

The trekkers started the day with an uphill climb before reaching the incredible memorial at the Isurava battle site. They heard about the large scale and extremely pivotal battle that took place over 4 days in August 1942.

The moving ‘Last Post’ was played and a minutes silence held. Four stone pillars are inscribed with a single word each representing the values and qualities of those soldiers who fought along the Kokoda Track - COURAGE, ENDURANCE, MATESHIP, SACRIFICE

Photos:
**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.

**Noreen treating an ankle ulcer of the owner of the Deniki guest house. Our medics take pride in caring for not only our crew of trekkers but our team of porters and anyone from the local villages.

28/05/2024

KOKODA TREK - MAY/JUNE 2024
⛰☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟⛰

Two groups of trekkers from all over Australia arrived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea yesterday afternoon, gathering together at Lamana for dinner, a final trek briefing, and t-shirt presentation. They have been training hard and preparing for months to complete the 96km over the Owen Stanley Range - the famous Kokoda Track. An experience of a lifetime.

The two crews will be guided by two extremely experienced guides Peter Condon and John Miles, we are fortunate to also have two very capable Medics, Noreen Marshall and Shay Smillie-Fearn and our amazing and essential local PNG team.

The trekkers have committed to the physical challenge, of the rugged terrain of the Kokoda Track. Along the way they will be honouring the Australian soldiers and Papuan New Guinea fuzzy wuzzy angels who battled the Japanese during the Kokoda Campaign in 1942.

Today after a flight delay they made the rough road journey to Kokoda where they visited the Kokoda Memorial Museum and the various monuments on the plateau. This site was the scene of the first major engagement of the campaign. This afternoon they will commence trekking by walking under the arches at Kokoda before heading up their 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.

We wish them a challenging, enjoyable and safe journey!

⛰☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟⛰

24/05/2024

So excited to be partnering with The Type1 Foundation again this year! Kokoda Courage can’t wait to trek for Type 1 🥳🇦🇺🇵🇬🙌

22/05/2024

Final Day

A massive congratulations to all the trekkers who today walked under the arches at Owers Corner and completed the 96km of the Kokoda Track.

After months of training and preparation and time spent with a group of like minded trekkers it is an emotional day filled with excitement, pride, gratitude and relief. We thank the crew for entrusting Kokoda Courage to get everyone safely across the track.

We thank Peter Condon for guiding, with heart, fun, knowledge of the track and history of the Kokoda Campaign, we thank our kind, fit and forever giving trek Medic Noreen Marshall for looking after not only our trekkers but seeing to any ailments of the team and locals along the track, our biggest thanks goes to our local support team and porters from PNG, descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, their support and care, fun and games, beautiful voices and yummy meals help to get each trekker across the 96 km of the Owen Stanley Range. Kokoda is a place of many faces, many experiences, many emotions. All of them unique.

The trekkers have enjoyed a hot chicken roll and SP for lunch and have visited the emotional Bomana War Cemetery, the resting place of 3,779 service personnel from a variety of Commonwealth nations. ‘We walk in their footsteps. Lest we forget’.

Tonight they are celebrating in style at Lamana Hotel. 🍻🍻🍻

⛰☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟⛰

20/05/2024

Update from the track
☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟
Menari - Nauro

All are trekking well and enjoying everything PNG and the Kokoda Track has to offer.

Highlights:

* The crew started the day with letters from loved ones 🥹 followed by a cracking game of Volleyball, 🇦🇺 Vs 🇵🇬 , lots of skills on both teams, an extremely close game.

* Refreshing swim in the Brown River

* Arriving into Nauro in the rain.

*Shepherds pie for dinner and an early night 😴

19/05/2024

Update from the track
☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟
Templetons - Kagi (near Naduri) - Menari

The crew have hit their straps and enjoying every challenging step of the journey!

Highlights:

*Last night at Kagi village Noreen, one of our fabulous Medics, ran a medical clinic for the local village.

*Today the crew trekked the exposed incline to Mission Ridge and then onto the emotional Brigade Hill battle site. Learning of the devastating battle fought in September 1942. Our local support team, led by Tim, did an amazing and moving presentation, bringing a tear to the eye of all.

*Many cooling river swims and on to Menari to enjoy pizzas cooked in the wood fired pizza oven and tasty Chocolate Bananas for dessert.

17/05/2024

Update from the track
☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟
Kokoda - Deniki - Alola - Templetons Crossing

The team are trekking well settling in to camp the night at Templetons crossing.

Highlights so far include:
* Refreshing swims in cool mountain waters
* Challenging mountain climbs both up and down
* Getting to know the local support team, the porters, descendants of the fuzzy wuzzy angels
* Hearing ‘The Last Post’ at the moving Isurava Memorial site, with the four stone pillars each inscribed with a single word representing the values and qualities of those soldiers who fought along the Kokoda Track - COURAGE, ENDURANCE, MATESHIP, SACRIFICE
* Singalongs at night and Sheriff Game
* Nourishing meals, prepared over the wood fire
* Listening to stories of ANZACS who fought courageously during the Kokoda Campaign in 1942

Photo 1-Deniki looking over the Yodda Valley
Photo 2- Arches at Kokoda, commencement of the track
Photo 3-Map of the track

14/05/2024

This team of trekkers from all over Australia arrived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea yesterday afternoon, gathering together at Lamana Hotel for dinner, a final trek briefing, and t-shirt presentation. They have one common goal and that is to complete the 96km over the Owen Stanley Range - the famous Kokoda Track.

After months of training and preparation together with head guide Pete from Kokoda Courage, Medic Noreen and essential local PNG team, they have committed to the physical challenge, of the rugged terrain of the Kokoda Track. Along the way they will be honouring the Australian soldiers and Papuan New Guinea fuzzy wuzzy angels who battled the Japanese during the Kokoda Campaign in 1942.

We wish them all a safe and memorable journey!

☀️🇦🇺⛰⛺️⛰🇵🇬🌟

27/04/2024

A great interview with guide Lee Campbell and one our trekkers Kiz Welling together with Steve Amuli one of our amazing porters, a descendant of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, who shares his voice with the trekkers on each Kokoda Courage trek.

⛰☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟⛰

Sing Sing! The Kokoda Track has huge significance in Australia's history due to the fierce fighting that occurred along it during WWII.

13/04/2024

This crew from Colac’s AKD Softwoods, Trinity College Colac and Colac Secondary College have spent the weekend in the Otway’s training for Kokoda. Yesterday trekking 25 km along the scenic Great Ocean Road Walk, finishing with a refreshing dip in the Aire River and today off to Parker Hill to smash some stairs, whilst putting all their hiking and camping equipment to the test. Thanks to all the crew for a fabulous team building weekend! ☀️

01/04/2024

Solid stair session on the coast this morning followed by a refreshing swim with everyone excited about their upcoming Kokoda trek💪

23/03/2024

This crew from Colac’s AKD Softwoods have commenced training for Kokoda and today, at a cracking pace, walked the 21km from Torquay to Anglesea! 🙌

21/03/2024

Congratulations to our first group of trekkers for 2024 who yesterday passed under the famous arches at Owers Corner!

Kokoda Courage would like to warmly congratulate the awesome crew on their amazing journey across the Kokoda Track! They have shown Courage, Endurance and Mateship and also shown respect to the Sacrifices of our ancestors.

Highlights from the trek include:

⛰️ Isurava memorial site
⛰️ Refreshing swims in the crisp rivers
⛰️ Wood fired Pizza at Menari
⛰️ 9 river crossings along Ua-Ule creek

We thank Lee Campbell from B.FIRM for guiding and our fantastic local team, descendants of the fuzzy wuzzy angels, for looking after everyone so graciously.

Big shoutout to Mike who successfully tackled the track with his son and daughter. Mike had the additional challenge of managing his Parkinson’s. Ripper effort! A shout out also to one of our youngest trekkers Noah for completing this challenging track!

Yesterday afternoon the crew visited the Bomana War Cemetery to show their respects to the thousands of young Australians who lost their lives during the Kokoda campaign in 1942. Then back to Lamana Hotel to share a meal and celebratory drink.

Arriving home tonight for a well earned sleep. Big congratulations to all!

⛰🇦🇺🙏🇵🇬⛰

17/03/2024

Beautiful Nepal 🇳🇵

17/03/2024

Follow our Adventure Nepal page for updates on our Kokoda Courage and The Type1 Foundation Nepal Trek!
🇳🇵 🏔🇳🇵🏔🇳🇵

17/03/2024

Update from the track

The crew have ‘hit their straps’ and are enjoying what PNG and the Kokoda track has to offer. Beautiful bush land, trekking up or down hill in rugged terrain, heat and humidity and a wet slippery and muddy track.

Yesterday the crew started with a sharp climb to the top of Mount Bellamy which is the highest point on the track, 2190m. They continued their trek towards Naduri to camp for the night.

Today they trekked to beautiful Menari Village, a very welcoming village with a wood fired pizza oven, so it was pizzas for dinner and chocolate bananas for dessert. Everyone is trekking well and enjoying refreshing river swims. The trekkers were keen to hear the footy scores. On the way from Naduri to Menari they visited Brigade Hill the site of a desperate battle fought by Australian troops in 1942, to hold the advancing Japanese as far north of Port Moresby as possible.
⛰☀️⛰☀️⛰

13/03/2024

Kokoda Courage is pumped to have it’s first group of trekkers for 2024 off and trekking the 96km over the Owen Stanley Range.

After months of training and preparation this crew from Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra together with head guide Lee from B.FIRM and essential local PNG team, they have committed to the physical challenge, of the rugged terrain of the Kokoda Track. Along the way they will be honouring the Australian soldiers and Papuan New Guinea fuzzy wuzzy angels who battled the Japanese during the Kokoda Campaign in 1942.

Last night the crew arrived at Port Moresby, then headed to the Lamana Hotel, where they gathered for dinner, a final trek briefing, and were presented with their trek t-shirts.

Today they made the journey to Kokoda where they visited the Kokoda Memorial Museum and the various monuments on the plateau. This site was the scene of the first major engagement of the campaign. After lunch they walked under the arches at Kokoda before heading up their 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.

⛰☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟⛰

16/02/2024

23/12/2023

Our recent trek with these absolute legends from YMCA WA. A privilege to lead these young people over the Kokoda Track! ⛰🖤💛❤️

After months of physical and mental preparation, seven Newman youths have successfully conquered one of the most gruelling treks in the world, the Kokoda Trail.