Kokoda Track

The Kokoda Track is a rugged foot track in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, running across the Owen Stanley Range and famous for its role in the Second World War. The route is roughly 96 kilometres in length and links coastal and inland communities.

The Kokoda Track was the scene of a series of battles in 1942 between Japanese forces and Australian and Papuan troops as the Japanese advanced toward Port Moresby; those engagements are central to its historical significance. The trail has since become a commemorative route and major destination for Australians and international visitors seeking to remember the 1942 campaign.

The track traverses central Papua New Guinea’s Owen Stanley Range, running between inland highlands and the northern coastal plains near Buna; access points are at Kokoda on the inland side and Owers’ Corner on the northern coast. The terrain is steep, remote and covered by dense rainforest.

• Length and trek duration: runs for approximately 96 kilometres across the Owen Stanley Range and is typically completed as a multi-day trek lasting around one to two weeks.
• Seasonal conditions: seasonal conditions are highly variable; the drier months are generally considered the main trekking season and tracks become very muddy and difficult in the wet season.

What to See#

• Kokoda village: Kokoda village, a trailhead and small settlement on the northern approaches to the track and a principal historic start point for many treks.
• Isurava battlefield and memorial: Isurava, a well-preserved battlefield site with a memorial to the 1942 engagement between Australian and Japanese forces.
• Eora Creek: Eora Creek, a rugged section of the route that was the scene of heavy fighting in 1942 and is a common camping point on the trek.
• Owers’ Corner: Owers’ Corner, the track terminus on the northern coastal plain close to Buna and other WWII eastern front locations.

Most treks begin at either Owers’ Corner or Kokoda village in Oro Province. From Port Moresby, charter flights or long road transfers are the usual routes to trailheads; organised operators handle transfers, permits and local logistics.

• Use an experienced, locally registered guide (most treks are organised by Port Moresby operators); guides handle permits, porters and resupply.
• Train for steep, muddy conditions - typical itineraries take 6-10 days depending on pace.
• Carry insect repellent and a lightweight wet-weather system; river crossings can be demanding in the wet season.