Hiking the Kokoda Track

The Kokoda track runs from Owers corner aboutand does cause delays. We lost the first day of
50 kilometres from Port Moresby for 96the hike due to weather preventing us flying to
kilometres over the Owen Stanley ranges toKokoda village which meant having to make up a
Kokoda village. Hiking the Kokoda track takes youday over the period of the walk. If you start
through a variety of environments ranging fromhiking the Kokoda track from Owers Corner and
low lying swamp to dense rainforest. There is alsowalk to Kokoda village then the weather may
a lot of history from the second world war ascause you a delay in flying back to Port Moresby.
Australian diggers fought to stop the JapaneseWe had planned to have a short day in the middle
from invading Australia. The Japanese fought theirof the trip (3 hours) which turned into a long day
way from Kokoda village all the way to Imita(11 hours ) to make up the time. It is important
ridge where the Australians finally stopped theto have insurance to cover extra accommodation
advance. There are still wartime relics to be seenor missed flights as well as getting evacuated by
at most of the villages.air in case of injuries.. It is possible to carry your
You can walk the track in either direction, whichown pack, although most people opt to pay local
means either going by bus to Owers Corner fromporters to carry their gear which makes the hike
Port Moresby and walking to Kokoda village andless strenuous. There are some huts in the
then flying back to Port Moresby or alternativelyvillages but most people camp in tents. The
you can fly to Kokoda village and walk back towalking times can vary immensely as they are
Owers Corner and then by bus back to Portdependent on fitness levels, the amount of weight
Moresby.carried, the amount of sightseeing that is done
When I did the walk it was in August 2008 andand the track conditions to mention a few.
we flew to Kokoda village and started the trekHiking the Kokoda track can be done in eight to
from there. As you have to fly over the Owenten days and is classified as moderate to hard but
Stanley ranges by light aircraft the weather canis a very satisfying achievement to complete.