Papua New Guinea

Kokoda Trail

The Kokoda Trail has gained increasing popularity for Australian travelers over the last decade.  Traversing the Owen Stanley Range in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, the Kokoda Trail was the site of a heroic rearguard action of Australian soldiers against the invading Japanese army in 1942.  The physical challenge and the tangible history of the trail attract more and more trekkers of all ages each year, now with up to 5000 Australian trekkers attempting the challenge each year.  Walking the track typically consists of hiking up to 10 hours a day with a backpack weighing up to 20kg for 7 to 10 days.  Approximately 50 trekkers are evacuated from the Trail each year, with varying degrees of illness or injury.  2009 was a tragic year for the Kokoda Trail, with 13 people dying in a plane crash near Kokoda Village and four people dying while attempting the trek.

Lark Force Wilderness Trek

This new trek is located in New Britain, the largest of the PNG islands and follows the path of the soldiers of the 2/22nd battalion (the Lark Force) as they fled the Japanese following the invasion of Rabaul in January 1942. The trail crosses the Baining Mountain Range over 3-4 days and although the terrain is slightly less rugged than Kokoda, the extreme heat and humidity ensures the physical challenge is similar.

Black Cat Trail

The Black Cat Trail is a mountainous overland track between Salamaua and Wau in the Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea.  It was the scene of ferocious fighting between Japanese and Australian soldiers during the Japanese attempt to capture the Allied Air Base in Wau.  This trail is another startling reminder of the heroic allied efforts during the Pacific campaign.  It is less established than Kokoda but a similar physical challenge.

The remote jungle location of these treks mean that transport to medical care can be slow and difficult. Careful preparation is vital to ensure the wellbeing of each trekker.