What is the Kokoda Trail?
The Kokoda Track or Trail is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs 96 kilometres overland – 60 kilometres in a straight line – through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea. It is a rugged and remote 130-kilometre jungle path across some of the most hazardous terrain most people will ever traverse.
‘Imagine an area of approximately one hundred miles long. Crumple and fold this into a series of ridges, each rising higher and higher until seven thousand feet is reached, then declining in ridges to three thousand feet is reached, then declining in ridges to three thousand feet. Cover this thickly with jungle, short trees and tall trees, tangled with great, entwining savage vines. Through an oppression of this density, cut a little native track, two or three feet wide, up the ridges, over the spurs, round gorges and down across swiftly flowing, happy mountain streams. Where the track clambers up the mountain sides, cut steps – big steps, little steps, steep steps – or clear the soil from the tree roots.
‘Every few miles, bring the track through a small patch of sunlit kunai grass, or an old deserted native garden, and every seven or ten miles, build a group of dilapidated grass huts – as staging shelters – generally set in a foul, offensive clearing. Every now and then, leave beside the track dumps of discarded, putrifying food, occasional dead bodies and human foulings. In the morning, flicker the sunlight through the tall trees, flutter green and blue and purple and white butterflies lazily through the air, and hide birds of deep-throated song, or harsh cockatoos, in the foliage.
‘About midday, and through the night, pour water over the forest, so that the steps become broken, and a continual yellow stream flows downwards, and the few level areas become pools and puddles of putrid black mud. In the high ridges above Myola, drip this water day and night over the track through a foetid forest grotesque with moss and glowing phosphorescent fungi. Such is the track which a prominent (Australian) politician publicly described as ‘Being almost impassable for motor vehicles’, and such is the route for ten days to be covered from Ilolo to Deniki.’
– Major General Sir Kingsley Norris
What do I need to do beforehand to prepare?
Prepare to open yourself up to more than the physical challenge. Prepare to open your heart through this adventure!
What sort of accommodation should I expect?
In Kununurra, there are many options available from budget to luxury accommodation.
While trekking you sleep under a billion stars. We provide a swag for vehicle supported programmes and light weight pack tents or shelters for unsupported treks.
What sort of meals are included?
Cereal based Breakfast.
Trail lunch (biscuits, wraps, damper with toppings etc)
Evening meal, pasta, potatoes, rice and meat and veggies.
On selected treks-we eat what we catch… fresh barramundi, beef, and bush tucker.
All cooked on an open fire. There are vegan and vegetarian options too.
Why Adventure Out?
Our focus is walking on Country following Song Lines of the Traditional Owners., Campsites defined by natures window, ‘Leave no Trace’, before a morning walk to relocate camp on frontier of discovery, gently caressed by low volume small groups. 4WD vehicles enable access and egress with minimal impact on ground, balanced to consider personal comfort and environmental needs.
Every company selling a Kimberley product, including AO offer ‘The Kimberley ‘Visa’, the ‘Ambiance’ of place, Adventure Out’s difference, we offer more…
No matter which category of trek, by choosing AO’s trek / tour, you will feed your creative mindfulness, we will give you the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions, your takeaway, will be knowledge, understanding, self-confidence and the “can do” perspective!
Adventure Out has established a relationship with the Traditional Owners in the East Kimberley since 2004, Adventure Out investment in the local community ensures safe passage for our trekkers and the respect of the country we walk on. Adventure Out offers an unrivalled challenge.
What is the Leave No Trace policy?
We strongly adhere to Leave No Trace, Australia’s national minimal impact program. As part of this philosophy, we encourage travellers to:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimise campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of your hosts and other visitors
Will I have phone reception?
As the Kimberley is renowned as being one of the last true wilderness frontiers, you cannot expect phone reception. There is sometimes sporadic phone reception however, this cannot be relied upon. Our tour leaders carry emergency satellite phones which allow them to communicate with our base if any emergencies arise.
Can we charge phones/cameras/tablets on the trek?
Unfortunately, there are no charging facilities at camps along the way. We recommend bringing extra batteries or solar chargers for your phones. To conserve battery power on your mobile devices, turn your phones into flight mode.
Do you cater for private group tours?
If you would like to organise a private group tour, we can easily organise this for you, whether it be a large or small number of people.
Are there any extra/added expenses on the trip?
Unless specified in the itinerary, all expenses are included in the tour price. There are no hidden extra costs, such as National Park fees or transfer charges.
