Kokoda Courage

05/04/2025

The Y WA Kokoda Trek is Complete!! 🖤💛❤️ ⛰🇦🇺🙏🇵🇬⛰

The crew from the Y have safely completed the 96km journey across the Owen Stanley Ranges and proudly walked under the arches at Owers Corner yesterday!

The Kokoda Track is one of the world’s most challenging treks – 96km of relentless terrain through Papua New Guinea’s remote jungle. The crew faced, heat, heavy rain, humidity, thick mud, and steep climbs and descents across the rugged Owen Stanley Ranges. Both a mental and physical challenge, demanding resilience, determination and teamwork every step of the way.

Pete from Kokoda Courage and Lee from B.FIRM would like to warmly congratulate the ‘Y’ youth and support staff for completing this epic trek, an incredible achievement. They have done themselves, their families, friends and community proud. Along the way, they embodied the Kokoda values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice, while showing deep respect for the legacy of our diggers.

A huge thank you to our exceptional Kokoda Courage guides – Peter Condon, Lee Campbell and Cam Davis – for their support, knowledge and leadership on the trail, and to our amazing trek medic Shay Smillie-Fearn for keeping everyone safe and well. We’re also grateful to our talented film and photography team, Dave McIntosh and Carter Evan, for capturing this unforgettable journey. We can’t wait to see more of their work in the weeks to come! Our biggest thank you goes to our PNG crew, decendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, for supporting, caring, and fueling our trekkers every step of the way. Sharing their beautiful culture and voices and generally uplifting everyone!

Yesterday afternoon, the group visited Bomana War Cemetery to honour the thousands of young Australians who lost their lives during the Kokoda campaign of 1942 – a powerful and moving end to the trek.

Last night they shared a well-earned meal together at the Lamana Hotel, played ten pin bowling and enjoy some much-needed rest!

03/04/2025

Update from the track - The Y WA
The finish line is in sight!
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Last night, the team stayed in the beautiful village of Iroboira after conquering the infamous “9 False Peaks” on their way to the stunning valley views of Nauro. Today, they tackled a big climb up Imita Ridge before reaching Goodwater, where they’re spending their last night on the track.

Spirits are high, and everyone is beyond excited to take those final steps under the famous arches at Owers Corner tomorrow! Tonight’s last trek meal? A crowd-favourite—chicken pesto pasta with pine nuts and Parmesan.

31/03/2025

Update from the Track – The Y WA
Deniki - Menari ☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟

Pushing Through the Challenge – Together

Trekking the Kokoda Track is no easy feat—steep climbs, sharp descents, and relentless terrain test every ounce of strength and determination. But what makes this journey possible is the unwavering support of our Kokoda Courage team and the incredible PNG crew, the proud descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.

From the humbling memorial service at Isurava to the fierce battle sites of Eora Creek and Brigade Hill, every step reminds us of the bravery and sacrifice of those that walked before us.

Climbing to the highest point of the track at Mount Bellamy, and pushing through the heart of the Owen Stanley Ranges—each day brings new challenges, but also unforgettable moments of reflection, growth and camaraderie.

With every tough incline and every weary step, we are lifted by the encouragement of those around us. This journey is more than just a trek; it’s a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the enduring spirit of Kokoda.

Highlights ✨🥾

Delicious meals, uplifting singing, refreshing river swims, and powerful ceremonies at Isurava and Brigade Hill. Gaining a deeper understanding of the 1942 Kokoda campaign and testing endurance!

This crew are doing their friends and family proud!

27/03/2025

Update from the Track – The Y WA
☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟

A group of 19 young people from the ‘Y’ in WA, alongside four ‘Y’ leaders and supported by a team of six from Kokoda Courage, have embarked on the challenge of trekking 96km across the rugged Owen Stanley Range. This journey is part of the Y’s leadership and development program, with participants from Perth and regional WA committing to months of training and preparation for this physically and mentally demanding experience.

The team arrived safely in Port Moresby yesterday, spending the afternoon on final preparations before sharing a meal and receiving their last trek briefing.

Today, they woke early to pack and grab their breakfast packs from the Lamana Hotel, they flew to Popondetta before tackling a bumpy truck ride to Kokoda. There, they were warmly welcomed with a traditional PNG greeting, followed by lunch and a visit to the Kokoda War Memorial. Standing on the historic Kokoda Plateau, they reflected on the fierce battles fought there between Australian and Japanese forces in 1942.

Their trek officially began as they walked under the famous Kokoda arches, making their way to Hoi Village for a refreshing swim to cool off from the heat and humidity. From there, they continued to the stunning Deniki Village—where, in August 1942, the young soldiers of the 39th Battalion gazed down at the approaching Japanese forces in the Yodda Valley.

The day ended with a well-earned dinner of vegetable and cashew curry.

Everyone is trekking well, supporting each other and tackling the hurdles along the way! Stay tuned for more updates as they take on this incredible journey.

24/03/2025

Kokoda Courage and B.FIRM are incredibly proud of The Y WA Youth for their dedication and hard work in preparing for the Kokoda Track!

This journey will be life-changing - building resilience, strength, and lifelong friendships.

This challenging adventure is so very close. We look forward to meeting up in Port Moresby on Wednesday afternoon to share a meal and for the trek briefing!

☀️⛰️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬⛰️🌟

12/03/2025

Update from the Track!
⛰️🇦🇺☀️⛰️🌟🇵🇬⛰️

Congratulations to our March Crew!

Yesterday, they successfully completed the challenging 96km Kokoda Track, walking under the famous arches at Owers Corner!

After months of training and an unforgettable journey across the Owen Stanley Ranges, emotions are high—excitement, pride, gratitude, and relief. A huge congratulations to all the trekkers on this incredible achievement. You’ve made your families, friends, and community proud, embodying Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Respect.

A heartfelt thank you to our local team—descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels—for their kind and generous support, our dedicated and hard working medic Ben Edward, and our incredible guides John Miles and Lee Campbell.

Yesterday afternoon, the crew payed their respects at Bomana War Cemetery, honoring the Australian soldiers who fought in the Kokoda campaign. We walk in their footsteps. Lest we forget.

It was then back to the Lamana hotel time to relax, share a great meal, and enjoy a well-earned rest! 🙏

11/03/2025

Update from the Track!
Naduri to Ua Ule Creek
🇦🇺☀️⛰ 🌟🇵🇬

The last couple of days the team has been pushing through some challenging yet incredible terrain!

⛰️Mount Bellamy – The crew kicked off the day with a sharp climb to the highest point of the track (2,190m) before descending to the beautiful 1900 Crossing for a well-earned break.

🏡 Efogi Village – the heart of the Owen Stanley Ranges, before tackling a steep climb to Brigade Hill, the site of a fierce WWII battle.

⛺️Menari & Agulogo Village – A long descent led to a refreshing river swim before moving onto Nauro, known for its stunning valley views and breathtaking sunsets.

⛰ Maguli Range & Ofi Creek – on the final stretch the crew conquered the “false peaks” before cooling off in the crystal-clear waters of Ofi Creek. They explored Ioribaiwa Village (the furthest point of the Japanese advance), and ended the day trekking through a peaceful jungle creek system to their final campsite.

An unforgettable and challenging journey through history, endurance, and breathtaking landscapes!

08/03/2025

Update from the Track!
Deniki to Naduri
☀️🇦🇺⛰ 🇵🇬🌟

Three days ago, the crew tackled a tough climb to the Isurava Memorial, pausing for a minute’s silence and the Last Post to honour those who fought in the pivotal 1942 battle. They continued to Alola, once Brigade HQ in 1942.

The trek has been relentless, with heat, humidity, and rain making conditions even tougher. After a muddy journey to Templeton’s Crossing.

Today the team arrived in Naduri for Chilli con Carne for dinner.

They’re pushing through every challenge—one step at a time!

08/03/2025

Video taken from the beautiful Deniki

07/03/2025

Reach out to us to discover how your club can follow in the footsteps of Australian war heroes and AFL Premiership greats by taking on the Kokoda Trek. Not only will you raise funds for your club, but you'll also give your players, sponsors, and supporters the chance to experience the trek of a lifetime!

We're thrilled to launch Werribee Football Club's inaugural Kokoda Trip – a 10-day experience featuring 8 days trekking the historic Kokoda Track. Whether you're looking for a personal challenge, or simply want to walk in the footsteps of history, this adventure is for you. ⛰️🥾

Support the club while taking on an unforgettable journey.

🔗 Find out more: https://bit.ly/41KoraI
📧 Interested? Email our GM of Business Operations, Justin Abrams: [email protected]

05/03/2025

Kokoda Trek – March 2025 Update
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PORT MORESBY TO DENIKI

Kokoda Courage is thrilled to be back in Papua New Guinea, trekking the legendary Kokoda Track once again. After its temporary closure last September due to a political dispute, the track reopened in December, allowing Australians to reconnect with this historic and deeply significant journey. For many, walking the Kokoda Track is more than just an adventure—it’s a pilgrimage that strengthens the enduring bond between Australians and Papua Guineans.

This year’s trekking group hails from Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Geelong, Melbourne, and Camperdown, with some returning for a second time to take on the challenge. United by a shared purpose, they are ready to embrace the mental and physical demands of the track.

Leading the way are Kokoda Courage guides John Miles and Lee Campbell, along with experienced medic Ben Edwards. Our incredible local team—descendants of the legendary Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels—have warmly welcomed the trekkers, providing invaluable support, encouragement, delicious meals, and cultural insights along the way.

The Journey Begins

The adventure kicked off at 4:00 am, with trekkers departing for a scenic flight from Port Moresby to Popondetta. From there, they made their way to Kokoda Village, where they visited the Burt Kienzle Memorial Museum and the historic monuments on the plateau—the site of the first major engagement of the Kokoda Campaign.

After lunch, the real challenge began as they tackled the climb to Deniki. The steep ascent was rewarded with breathtaking views over the Yodda Valley—a glimpse of the stunning landscapes that await them in the days ahead.

The team is in great spirits, trekking well, and eager for the next stage of their journey. Stay tuned for more updates as they continue along the track!

26/02/2025

Join us this evening at 7.30 pm via the link below to find out more about what its like to trek Kokoda!

https://zoom.us/j/96346306987?pwd=sCgTIqAdIDGeQnAMKOd1gOghLbQfyu.1&fbclid=IwY2xjawIro8BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcv8d77PT8ucmmdiEa-oTXZ-9-Z93pUuNVNooKeMxQSQxaIUfAlh6zEGbA_aem_DGjVtFRRbNcpKbGpXW2pcg

24/02/2025

Thinking About Trekking the Kokoda Track?

💬 Join Our Info Session & Get Your Questions Answered!

Event Details
📅 Date: Feb 26, 2025
⏰ Time: 07:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
📍 Where: Online via Zoom - Via this link: https://zoom.us/j/96346306987?pwd=sCgTIqAdIDGeQnAMKOd1gOghLbQfyu.1&fbclid=IwY2xjawIro8BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcv8d77PT8ucmmdiEa-oTXZ-9-Z93pUuNVNooKeMxQSQxaIUfAlh6zEGbA_aem_DGjVtFRRbNcpKbGpXW2pcg

What You'll Learn
✅ What it’s really like to trek Kokoda
✅ The scenery, culture and history
✅ How to prepare physically & mentally
✅ What gear you need
✅ Costs, logistics & booking details
✅ Live Q&A with our expert guides

29/10/2024

Some fabulous pics of The Y WA recent training camp! Not long now until the hard work and training will pay off on your trek across the Kokoda Track! ❤️

19/09/2024

A big thank you to our Kokoda Courage Guide Wayne Atkins for working with our local team to look after the trekkers during their short time on the Kokoda Track. 🙏

Also, a big thank you to Nicole from The Travel Boutique Geelong for working long hours, to secure return flights home for our trekkers. 🙏

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/RY8Uuw5kDMX1xDao/?

18/09/2024

Kokoda Trek-September, 2024
☀️🇦🇺⛰⛺️⛰🇵🇬🌟

Normally, we would be posting an update from the Kokoda Track with our trekkers spending their first night on the track in Deniki, a beautiful valley over looking the Yodda Valley but unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances their trek will be cut short due to the temporary closure of the Kokoda Track, due to political reasons.

A group of trekkers commenced the track yesterday, with the usual early morning flight out of Port Moresby to Popondetta, after a bumpy ride in the PMV to Kokoda they were greeted by our dedicated team of porters, learning of the news of the closure. They are spending the night, safe and well in beautiful Hoi Village, Unfortunately, as a result of this unexpected closure, we are in the process of cancelling the remainder of the trek and organizing for our trekkers to safely return to Port Moresby.

We understand how much time, effort, and dedication each trekker has put into preparing for this iconic journey, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused. The situation is completely out of our control, but rest assured that the trekkers safety remains our top priority.

22/08/2024

Kokoda Trek-August, 2024 They did it!
☀️🇦🇺⛰⛺️⛰🇵🇬🌟

⛰️ The Type1 Foundation
⛰️ Police Veterans Victoria

UA-ULE CREEK - OWERS CORNER

A massive congratulations to all the trekkers who today walked under the arches at Owers Corner, completing the 96km of the Kokoda Track. After months of hard training and preparation, this group of like-minded trekkers has formed a tight bond, supporting each other and raising awareness and funds for their respective organizations. It’s an emotional day filled with a deeper understanding of the Kokoda Campaign, excitement, pride, gratitude, and relief.

The journey was enriched by the strong connections made with our dedicated and caring team of PNG legends, who provided endless support, delicious meals prepared with love over campfires, and unforgettable cultural displays. A moving commemorative speech by PVV members at Isurava, marking the anniversary of Gary Silk and Rodney Miller’s passing, deeply touched everyone. Cam Duncan’s tribute, wearing his family member’s medals at Brigade Hill, added to the sense of history and respect. The refreshing river swims and idyllic lush surroundings were just some of the moments that made this trek extraordinary.

We thank Peter Condon, assisted by Will M, for guiding the team with professionalism, heart, and in-depth knowledge of the track and the history of the Kokoda Campaign. Special thanks to our hardworking and kind-hearted trek Medic, Noreen, assisted by Will P, for taking care of not only our trekkers but also the locals along the track. Our biggest thanks go to our local support team and porters from PNG, descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. Their warm spirit, kindness, beautiful voices, and sense of fun were crucial in getting each trekker across the 96km of the Owen Stanley Range.

Kokoda is a place of many faces, experiences, and emotions—each unique, with new friends made and memories that will last a lifetime.

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

Tonight, they’re celebrating in style at the Lamana Hotel🍻

21/08/2024

Kokoda Trek - August, 2024 - Update
☀️🇦🇺⛰⛺️⛰🇵🇬🌟
⛰️ The Type1 Foundation
⛰️ Police Veterans Victoria

NAURO - UA-ULE CREEK

After conquering the remainder of the “false peaks,” the team reached the top of the Maguli Range before descending toward the beautiful Ofi Creek, where they eagerly plunged into the cool waters after a long, challenging descent. They they heard stories of old trenches and a mountain gun emplacement. In the afternoon, they ventured to Ioribaiwa Village, the furthest point of the Japanese advance in September 1942. A serene trek through a creek system under the jungle canopy led them to their final camp for the night.

As they settled in, anticipation for the final day built up—they’re on the brink of achieving their shared goal: completing the 96km Kokoda Track. A meal of Tuna Pesto Pasta with Pine Nuts fueled their bodies for the last push.