$4,650 13 Day Fully Australian Led Tour
Staying at all the Key Locations on the Battlefields
It is one thing to simply tick the Kokoda Track off a bucket list, but it is quite another to undertake a pilgrimage that immerses you in our proud wartime history. The backdrop of the rugged PNG jungle, where the events of 1942 unfolded, sets the scene for our master storytellers to bring the voices of our ancestors to life. This iconic journey extends beyond Kokoda to the Northern Beachheads, including Buna, Gona, and Sanananda.
Kokoda Historical is passionate about Australian history. We aim to honor the soldiers, civilians, and Papuans who stood between tyranny and freedom during World War II in the Owen Stanley Ranges. These extraordinary heroes shaped our proud nation, and we will remember them.
So pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and immerse yourself in the past as you join us on a pilgrimage over the Kokoda Track and then on to the Northern Beachheads like no other. We will follow the route of the Australian advance to Kokoda and beyond to Buna, Gona, and Sanananda. We have over a decade of experience trekking PNG battlefields, studying history, interviewing veterans, serving in the Australian Defence Force, and bringing history to life through innovative methods.
We tailor every trek to ensure that we stay at key locations on battlefields whenever possible. Our standard Kokoda & Beachheads Tour is 13 days long and includes return travel from PNG. This allows enough time to fully appreciate Kokoda's history while making side trips along the way. For group bookings of six or more people, we can adjust trek length and departure/return dates.
The Koiari and Orokaiva people living along the Kokoda Track are predominantly Seventh Day Adventist (SDA), and observing their Sabbath is very important to them. The Sabbath begins every Friday evening and continues all day Saturday. As a result, many villagers will not undertake any work during this period. Items such as fruit, soft drinks, and vegetables are unavailable during this time.
You will also tour Port Moresby to discover its strategic significance during the 1942 Kokoda battle. Pay homage to brave soldiers at Bomana War Cemetery, admire vast anthropological collections at the National Museum, visit M.V. Macdhui's wreck—whose loss deeply impacted Australian troops—and pay respects at Bomana War Cemetery.
We will visit Popondetta and Northern Beachheads following Australia's advance route beyond Buna, Gona, and Sanananda. En route, see Oivi and Gorari—the final major battle before Buna-Gona—Kumusi River, Awala (first contact site between Japanese forces and Papuan Infantry Battalion), reliving battles forming Kokoda Campaign's final stage at Northern Beachheads.
Our Kokoda pilgrimage will leave you laughing or crying but safe & sound with lasting memories of what it means being Australian.
Upon booking you will receive a copy of Kokoda Legend Captain Sam Templeton by our very own David Howell
Battle of the Northern Beachheads
Itinerary
Owers’ Corner—Kokoda-Northern Beachheads
South-North (S-N)
Day 1: Arrive Port Moresby-hotel accommodation.
Day 2: Bomana Cemetery, start Owers’ Corner, Goldie River, sleep Goodwater (actual Dump 66).
Day 3: Ua-Ule Creek, Imita Ridge, ‘Golden Staircase’, sleep Ioribaiwa.
Day 4: Ioribaiwa Ridge-furthest most point of Japanese advance, Ofi Creek, sleep Nauro.
Day 5: Maguli Range, Old Nauro, Brown River, Menari, sleep Brigade Hill.
Day 6: Brigade Hill, Efogi, Kagi, Moss Forest, sleep Lake Myola.
Day 7: Mt Bellamy, Dump 1, Templeton’s Crossing, sleep Eora Creek.
Day 8: Eora Japanese mountain gun position, Alola, Con’s Rock, sleep Isurava Battlefield.
Day 9: Dawn service Isurava Battlefield, Deniki, finish Kokoda Plateau.
Day 10: Oivi, Goari, Wairopi, Awala, Popondetta-drive Buna.
Day 11: Boat to Gona, then Sanananda-Huggin’s Roadblock, return to Buna.
Day 12: Popondetta fly Port Moresby, return hotel.
Day 13: Return to Australia.
Northern Beachheads-Kokoda—Owers' Corner
North-South (N-S)
Day 1: Arrive Port Moresby-hotel accommodation
Day 2: Fly Popondetta travel Buna.
Day 3: Boat to Gona then to Sanananda, afternoon tour of Sanananda & Huggin’s Roadblock, return Buna.
Day 4: Drive to Popondetta then to Awala, Wairopi, Gorari, Oivi on to Kokoda.
Day 5: Trek Kokoda-Deniki-camp Isurava Battlefield.
Day 6: Service at Isurava Memorial, Con’s Rock, Alola, Eora Creek, sleep Templeton’s Crossing.
Day 7: Dump 1, Mt Bellamy, sleep Lake Myola.
Day 8: Moss Forest, Kagi, Efogi sleep Brigade Hill.
Day 9: Service at Brigade Hill, Menari, Brown River, sleep Nauro. Day 10: Maguli Range, furthest most point of Japanese advance, sleep Ioribaiwa.
Day 11: Ua-Ule Creek, Imita Ridge ‘Golden Staircase’, sleep Goodwater (actual Dump 66).
Day 12: Goldie River, finish trekking Owers’ Corner, Bomana Cemetery, sleep hotel.
Day 13: Return to Australia.
Kokoda Track & Beachheads Map
Information Booklet
Historical Overview
Inclusions
- Experienced Australian historian with advanced first aid training;
- Welcome pack with hard copy of our brochure, welcome notes, trekking shirt, important information relating to your trek;
- Local Guides and Support Staff including senior guide;
- Airfare Port Moresby to Popondetta (or Popondetta to Port Moresby) or charter flight (depending on your trek);
- Vehicle transfer between Popondetta and Kokoda if required;
- Airport transfers to/from hotel;
- Two nights, twin-share at 5 star Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby (breakfast & dinner included & single supplement available);
- Guest house accommodation on the Track;
- Individual tent (twin tent for couples if required) provided for your privacy;
- Kokoda Track permit (issued by the Kokoda Track Authority(KTA);
- Transport to/from Owers' Corner;
- Tour of Bomana Cemetery;
- Tour of Port Moresby;
- All food while trekking;
- Tents and cooking equipment;
- Safety and medical equipment;
- Communications equipment including satellite phone & VHF radio;
- Pre-trip advice and training including training information;
- Kokoda historical trekking shirt;
- Certificate of completion & commemorative medallion with a donation to the Kokoda Track Foundation;
- Public liability insurance
Exclusions
- International return flight from Australia to Port Moresby
- Extra hotel meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Personal porter to carry your pack during the trek ($680.00)
- Additional fresh local fruit and vegetables can be purchased along the way.
- Visa available here
- Personal travel insurance
Optional Extras
- Personal Porter ($680.00)
- Single Supplement Hotel Accommodation ($460.00)
- Gear Package
- Personal Travel Insurance
- International Airfare
