CUSTOM EXPERIENCE

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    • What do I need to do beforehand to prepare?

      Physical fitness levels

      Your Preparation

      Adventure Out will supply a training plan to help you prepare for your trek. The trek is not designed to test fitness or how fast the journey can be travelled, but with the desire to allow people with an interest in Australia’s past, a unique experience into the military history, accompanied with travel documentary of the scenery and ecology, plus an exposure to a very different culture and lifestyle.

      This is not a survival course. You do not have to be an outdoor type or a fitness instructor to take part, but you will need to be in good health with a high level of endurance fitness (endurance versus strength). We strongly recommend that you follow some form of training plan to minimise the possibility of injury and reduce the recovery period. Although we will not be walking more than 10-12km each day, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the walk.

      The biggest challenge of this walk will be coping with the heat in wet tropical conditions, but short of spending a couple of weeks acclimatising in PNG beforehand, there is not a lot you can do to prepare yourself for these conditions beforehand. If you prepare well and are fit, you will have one less physical discomfort to cope with on the walk.

      Immunisations and medication recommended.

      Consult your GP for specific advice.

      Immunisations
      Current information for immunisation against
      Typhoid Recommended
      Hepatitis A Recommended
      Malaria Recommended mosquito borne disease
      Hepatitis B Recommended
      Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Recommended mosquito borne disease
      NHMRC Routine Vaccines Recommended

      A combination Typhoid/Hepatitis A vaccine (Vivaxim) is available. This should be given at least 14 days (preferably one month) prior to risk of exposure. We also recommend ensuring Tetanus immunisations are current. Check with your local or travel doctor specialist.

      Suitable footwear and clothing

      Clothing
      Because it rains on a regular basis it is a good idea to have a waterproof poncho, a rain jacket is an option to consider; ponchos are more functional for humid weather conditions. Also consider wrapping your spare clothing waterproof bag, and then store inside your backpack within a second waterproof bag. This will ensure you always have something dry to put on each evening.
      For protection against chafing wear a pair of lycra gym shorts or “Skins” as underwear.

      Footwear
      Hiking boots ¾ – full length with a synthetic upper component for quick drying (e.g. Scarpa, Merrell, Zamberlan…) Boots should be worn-in to prevent blisters.
      Remember spare boot laces!!!

      Prepare to open yourself up to more than the physical challenge. Prepare to open your heart through this adventure!

    • 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 Kokoda Track is renowned as being a true wilderness adventure, you cannot expect phone reception while on the trail. There is sometimes sporadic phone reception. However, this cannot be relied upon. Our trek 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 any of the huts or camps along the Track. 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.

    • How do I get there?

      Fly to Port Moresby. Your Australian guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to the Hideaway Hotel. In the afternoon, you will meet your local guide and have a briefing/discussion as to how the team should approach the challenge of crossing the Owen Stanley Range safely and to maximise everyone’s opportunity of completing the trek.
      Consult your local travel agent for flights

    • What sort of accommodation should I expect?

      From a Port Moresby hotel to a tent on the jungle floor, including village huts you will experience a wide variety of sleeping locations.

    • What sort of meals are included?

      Food
      Cereal based Breakfast
      Trail lunch (dry biscuits, toppings etc)
      Evening meal, pasta, potatoes, rice with locally grown vegies.

      Throughout the trek, seasonal local fruit are purchased fresh – paw paws, bananas, pineapple etc. It is suggested that you bring any personal snack food, you just can’t live without during the trek. Energy bars and the like.

    • Why Adventure Out?

      Your trek will be led by an experienced Adventure Out guide who has specific expedition trek experience and knowledge of the routes, natural history, and cultural background. With safety our topmost priority, Adventure Out is a leader in staff support, ensuring that our clients get the highest possible standard of skilled, motivated and committed guides on their treks. Our guide will carry a comprehensive tropical first aid kit, emergency response beacon (EPIRB), VHF track radio and satellite phone for any possible emergencies.

    • Should I bring trekking poles?

      Hiking poles can definitely assist you with going up and down the inclines and for stability in mud or slippery tree roots. If you have not used them previously, we recommend that you do some training with them beforehand.

    • Is the Kokoda Trail safe?

      Good question! The Kokoda Trail is a trial of will power over physical power, with lots of environmental challenges and risks along the way. The trail itself can be quite dangerous with steep dense-jungle mountains, mosquitoes, rocky outcrops and rapidly flowing rivers. The rivers and creeks can rise rapidly after heavy rains, which can make them dangerous to cross. Much of the trail is inaccessible by helicopter.

      In order to minimise risk, Adventure Out has undergone training and simulations to ensure that our trek leaders are trained in emergency evacuation procedures and are qualified in emergency and remote first aid. Our trek leaders carry satellite phones and VHF radios. If an emergency occurs it is vital that you feel confident that our trek leaders are capable of handling the situation.

      As a trekker you need to ensure you are protected with a personal Travel Insurance policy to cover your medical evacuation and treatment costs should you become sick or suffer a personal injury during the tour. It is important to ensure the insurer you select will approve immediate air evacuation from the Kokoda Trail if the call is made by your trek leader, as not all insurance policies will cover this area unless specified.

    • 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

    • Is Adventure Out based in other States?

      Adventure Out has one office based in Perth WA, running programs Australia wide and in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The majority of programs we deliver Nationally are private groups, in PNG programs are open to the public.

    • How long have you been operating?

      Adventure Out conducted its first activities in rock climbing and abseiling in November 1984.

    • Is Adventure Out a family business

      Yes

    • Do I need to have experience?

      No experience is required. You can participate in an abseil beforehand to develop and understanding of the activity before your ‘BIG’ abseil

    • Can I bring a GO PRO?

      Yes, we will endeavour to do all we can to ensure you capture footage; however safety and circumstance at the time may prevent you doing your descent with a GO PRO!

    • Will I get Photos of my abseil?

      At registration you will be allocated a number that is clearly visible on your shoulder, this number will assist in collating photos

    • How long does it take to abseil down the Building?

      Three to four minutes, this will depend on several factors; your body weight, confidence, abseil technique, weather conditions

    • What happens if the weather is bad (windy, raining)?

      There is a wind limit that is constantly monitored; strong wind will put the event on hold until conditions improve

      Rain light shower do not create a problem for abseiling, heavy showers / rain, the event will be on hold

    • How difficult is it to abseil?

      Abseiling is not difficult. Weight of the rope due to the height of your abseil will create a level of fatigue for your primary brake arm / hand. We have abseiled an 82-year-old lady from 26 levels

    • Does the rope get hot to touch?

      No, the rope is not hot to touch. The abseil friction device will get hot, your hands holding the rope, the rope sliding through your hands controlling your descent will get hot; we provide 2 pairs of gloves

    • What if I have long Hair?

      Long hair is a hazard and will cause a safety issue if not managed correctly. We ask that you bring with you a hair band; a hairnet is provided and must be worn

    • What clothes should I wear?

      Clothes cannot be loose fitting, no neck scarfs or hoodie cord allowed. The abseil rope will pass your hips, covering this region will prevent potential rope friction burns

    • What shoes do I need to wear?

      Footwear is required to be securely fitted, lacing of footwear is best, Velcro and Slip on types of footwear may not be approved on inspection and safety checks; bring lace up runners as spare in case

    • Can I wear a costume (superman, batman etc)?

      Yes, however safety inspection and some form of modification may be required (Tape, removal of an item!) before final approval is given

    • How old can you be to participate in the Event?

      Minimum age is that you must be 16 year at the time you abseil, upper age limits depend on health and mobility of the person.

    • Are there any height and weight restrictions?

      We have harnesses that are capable of fitting individuals from 40kgs up to 150kgs, we have abseiled several individuals who have been 2 metres tall.

    • How much weight can the ropes take?

      Australian Standard require an 11mm rope for abseil, these ropes have a maximum rating of 3,000kgs. A second safety rope is also employed; you will complete your abseil descent with 2 ropes

    • Do I need to have experience or a high fitness level to abseil?

      No previous abseil experience is required, the fitter you are, the greater level of enjoyment you will take away from your experience. The taller building abseils (100+ metres) has a rope that weighs of 14 – 18kgs, your master (main brake) hand is required to lift / move the rope about for the first half of your abseil descent in overcoming friction

    • What Safety equipment is provided?

      All roping equipment meet Australian or EN (European) Standards

    • What are the major health concerns that would prevent me abseiling?

      Should you have a medical condition of any concern, speak with your doctor.

    • What happens if I let go of the ropes?

      Roping standards requires that two ropes are required; you will have control of the abseil rope, should you let this go, the second rope managed from the top of the building by a qualified instructor will ensure that your descent rate does not increase.

    • What happens if I get struck or I cannot do it anymore and halfway down the building?

      We have identified several potential rescues that could possibly occur, before the event commences these rescue techniques are rehearsed and can be employed within 10-15 seconds of an incident. A rescue will employ a lowering method to the ground, or an instructor to abseil down to the location and manage the incident.

    • What happens if I get to the top and I am too scared to go over the edge?

      Your participation is voluntary, ‘Challenge by Choice’, a professionally supportive environment is in place to support those with any height concerns.

      After a period of time (20- 30 minutes) with coaching and support with your attempt to abseil, your final; No, I can’t do this, will be respected. An escort will assist you back to the harness fit out area, de-rig of your abseil equipment, then returned to ground and registration.

    • 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.

    • Is there a Packing List?

      We will include this a part of the booking package you receive when you complete your tour booking. These will differ from trip to trip and are included as a suggestion and are generally a great indication of what you will need (and what you won’t need!).

    • Do I need to carry all my gear with me on the walks?

      Short answer – yes. This tour is a challenge not to be undertaken by the weakhearted! We’ll leave the tour busses, screen, and stresses behind.