Reaching the Wilderness & Beyond...
The history of the track
Whether it be called Trail or Track, the Kokoda Track is centuries old. It was originally used by natives to travel between their villages and to move from the hinterland to the coast, often to escape inter-tribal warfare. In the early years of European settlement, apart from a few hardy locals, it was considered impassable to white men. In July 1942 many areas along the Track became the battlegrounds of the most crucial and bloody campaigns of World War II. Over the seven months of bitter fighting 3000 Japanese soldiers were killed as they tried to advance southward to Port Moresby, while 600 Aussie diggers lost their lives defending it.
Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel' Ovuru Ndiki.
The Kokoda Track is most definitely one of the worlds most challenging Treks, in doing so, you will be paying homage to those Aussie Diggers, their friends and allies, the people of Papua New Guinea affectionately known as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. Not only do you retrace their steps, be emotionally embraced by the many plaques and monuments depicting various battles on the way, whether you trek south to north or vice versa, you will realize the hardships and sacrifices the Australian Forces and the PNG people had to face in both battle and in sickness such as malaria. As you trek along this 96km journey you will understand that as a result of the heroic actions in defending this track and defeating enemy forces, we can all give thanks to be able to live in the free and democratic countries that now exist.
Today the Track is a peaceful place and as you trek along you will see the natural beauty and rugged surroundings, towering trees, twisting vines, tracks riddled with twisting exposed tree roots, many flowers such as Impatiens, Poinsettias, Orchids, Jungle Ferns and Choko Vines.
Mountain streams crossed by single log and poles lashed together with vines forming bridges, wind their way into the steep valleys below. The steep mountain tracks reaching skyward and on the other side dropping in places to descend just as steeply.
Mountain streams crossed by single log and poles lashed together with vines forming bridges, wind their way into the steep valleys below. The steep mountain tracks reaching skyward and on the other side dropping in places to descend just as steeply.
