The Kokoda Track Experience

[Dark Horse]

Well, for those of you who saw my previous thread regarding this trip, I'm sure there were a few that were awaiting this. Before I commence, I would like to thank wulos for his time in editing a large number of images that are included in this write up. Rather than provide the whole story in block, this journal is posted in day by day segments of the actual trek itself, hopefully this will allow for some discussion along the way and a somewhat easier read for all.

Apologies for the delay (it's been 2 months since) in getting this to the forums for those interested to read!

Also here is a map:

Friday 15th April, 2005 - Fly Up

Everyone arrives at the airport at the crack of dawn. No one sleeps well with the excitement and anticipation of the trip. Bravo Company (Trek 51-B is our group) falls in.

Check in goes fairly smoothly with only a few hiccups - one of the ladies tries the security guards out with pen knife, scissors and tweezers. Most of the Kokoda crew take the no frills Virgin 737 flight to Brisbane. I go my own way - chasing the crew down from a Business Class seat on the competing Qantas 767 flight. No stooged luxuries for me.

Once in Brisbane the Virgin trekkers book two maxi taxi’s to get to the International Terminal. I meet up afterwards catching the train. No complaints about the delay - it was free if you kept your boarding pass!

Our group is in trouble with security again - no you cannot take your concealed weapon (ala walking stick) in cabin. How many times some of our belongings are demoted to the cargo holds who knows! The connecting three hour Air Niugini flight in the 767 passes uneventfully, coral reefs and clear skies make for a pretty backdrop along the way.



The descent into Jackson’s International Airport, Port Moresby gets interesting - an instrument approach is in order says the First Officer. If it’s no good, we divert to Cairns. It’s pretty bad, cloud cover all the way down to 2,400 feet altitude, strong turbulence, heavy rain and whitecaps on the surface of the water below. Everyone agrees this isn’t great trekking weather, and the slide felt during the heavy landing reflects this.



Accommodation is at the Gateway Hotel for the first evening - it’s about 2 minutes from the airport. A briefing session with Gail, the trekking agent, highlights the concern of a delay in getting to the starting point, Owen’s Corner, because of the heavy rains. A few intrepid drinkers visit the bar, I get savage with weight of my pack. I repack four times.


A health message on behalf of the Australian Government. It's the first thing you see as you step outside the International Terminal building at Jacksons Intl.