David Howell of Kokoda Historical and Mick O'Malley from Australian Kokoda Tours, represented the Kokoda Trek Operators Association (KTOA) on a good will trek across Kokoda.

Their mission was to to assess the capacity and condition of all aspects of the track and in particular to get an understanding of landowners and guesthouse owner’s feelings about the industry re-opening.

The trek was conducted during the period 2-7 March 2022. This was the first crossing of Australian tour leaders in 2.5 years. Both David and Mick spoke to all of the main villages and village heads. The team was joined with a group of Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) Rangers and was supported by the Kokoda Initiative (KI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). 

The track was overgrown in many parts, particularly those areas which do not connect between villages. Many of the guest houses that were used for the trekking industry are in a state of disrepair owing to the fact that the trekking industry has been non-existent for over two years. However, the people living along the track are now committed to getting the guest houses and track back into shape in time for Anzac Day. 

During their trek both David & Mick had the honour of spreading the ashes of 39th Battalion Kokoda veteran, George Cops. David and Mick had both known George who was a stalwart of the 39th Battalion Association. In 2019 David had been entrusted with George's ashes by his family. Unfortunately, COVID for the last two years had prevented the ashes returning to PNG. It was George's wish that his ashes be spread at Templeton's Crossing where he had buried his cousin during the war.
 

Overall the trek was a most productive one, and David & Mick are proud they were able to not only spread George's ashes but also contribute to the opening up of the Kokoda trekking industry after the COVID pandemic.

To read the full report by David click here