Anzac Day – Kokoda To Owers Corner

– Deniki (approx. 3 hours)
Today we have an early morning charter flight to Kokoda. On arrival we walk up to the Kokoda plateau to inspect the monuments, memorials, museum and the Australian defensive position on the Kokoda plateau. After our battlesite briefing by your trek leader we trek to Kovello and onto Hoi for lunch. After lunch we begin our climb over the awesome Owen Stanley Range to Deniki.
Overnight at Deniki.

– Alola Village (approx. 7 hours)
Today we continue our trek from Deniki up to the Isurava village then onto the Isurava Memorial. Isurava was the scene of a 4-day battle that has been described as the battle that saved Australia. There is a beautiful memorial here with the four Granite pillars inscribed with the words Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice. We spend time at the memorial to reflect on the sacrifice of the soldiers. We also conduct our in-depth battlesite brief and conduct our special and moving memorial service.
After lunch at Isurava we continue our journey to Alola.
Overnight Alola Village

– Templeton’s Crossing Camp Site (approx. 8 hours)
Today we have a long day, as we trek down to Eora Creek and up to Templeton Crossing 2. Templeton Crossing 2. At Eora Creek we take time visit the Japanese defensive positions and view the armaments that are left in the area. The Eora Creek and Templeton crossing areas was the scene of very heavy and bloody fighting both during our fighting withdrawal and our advance back across Kokoda. On our journey to camp we stop and view the battlefields and conduct briefings on the battle situations in the area. Our camp today is on the mighty Eora Creek, with our reward a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water.
Overnight Templeton’s Crossing

– Naduri (approx. 8 hours)
Today we cross over the highest point of the Kokoda Track, Mt Bellamy at 2190m. We have a pretty hard start to the day with a steep climb up to the Kokoda Gap. The Kokoda Gap was the area that Generals Macarthur and Blamey wanted to blow up and make it our own Thermopylae with our troops playing the 300 Spartans part. The downside to the plan is that the Gap is 12 km wide, and all the Spartans died! After climbing over the highest point of the track we make our way through the Moss Forest and an Ancient Arctic Beech Forest. We then descend down to Naduri.
Overnight Naduri

– Menari Village (approx. 7 hours)
After breakfast we depart Naduri and continue our downward journey before commencing a steep difficult climb up to Efogi 2. From our vantage point we can see Mt Victoria in the distance. We have a short break here before an easy downward trek to the main Village of Efogi.

After an early breakfast we continue our trek up to Brigade Hill. Brigade Hill and Mission Ridge was the scene of a bloody and ferocious battle during the 6-8 September 1942. 101 Australian Soldiers were killed in these battles. After our battlesite brief we conduct our memorial service to commemorate and remember the sacrifices that these brave men made. From Brigade Hill we have a long and tiring descent down to Menari where we stop for lunch. Menari is also famous for Lt Col Ralph Honner’s Ragged Bloody Hero speech and the image captured by Damien Parer.
Overnight Menari

– Nauro (approx. 6 hours)
After breakfast we depart Menari before commencing our climb up to the Menari Gap and the steep descent down the other side of “the wall”. At the bottom of “the wall” is a short flat and invigorating walk to our camp site, next to the sparkling creek that sooths our tired muscles. From Agulogo we cross the Brown River before spending a couple of hours ploughing through the thick sticky mud of the Nauro swamps. After the swamps we commence our climb up the “11 false peaks” of the Maguli Range to Nauro.
Overnight Nauro Village

– Iorabaiwa (approx. 7 hours)
We depart Nauro and continue our climb before climbing to the highest point of this section of the track. We now have a long descent down to Ofi Creek. On our way down we visit the Japanese trenches and delaying positions before we stop for lunch and a refreshing swim. After lunch we have a hard and tiring climb up Iorabaiwa Ridge, followed by a steep descent down to camp. The Iorabaiwa Ridge was the furthest point that the Japanese travelled and was the area that they received their orders to advance to the rear. Our camp is in a spectacular position with beautiful views down the valley and a great place to view the spectacular sunsets famous in this area.
Overnight Iorabaiwa Village

– Goldie River (approx. 6 hours)
Today after breakfast we trek down the last bit of the Iorabaiwa Ridge and begin our 22 river crossings of the beautiful and spectacular UaUle Creek area. We then climb up Imita Ridge, which was the Australians last and final stand, there was to be no further withdrawal from this area. We then descend down the area known as the Golden Stairs before enjoying an early lunch at Dump 66. After lunch we trek through the abandoned Village of Uberi before crossing the Goldie River and making camp. It is a great feeling being at The Goldie River Creek knowing that we have almost made it to the finish line. Our afternoon is spent relaxing in the river and camp and reflecting on the fantastic journey.
Overnight Goldie Creek Camp.

– Goldie River – Owers’ Corner (approx. 45 minute)
Today we have a short but steep climb up to Owers Corner. It is a great feeling as we cross under the arches and know that we have just completed walking in the footsteps of heroes across the Kokoda Track! We depart Owers’ Corner for Port Moresby returning to the Hotel for a welcome shower.
Owers’ Corner – Port Moresby (approx. 2-hour bus ride to Port Moresby) Overnight Stanley Hotel Port Moresby

– Bomana War Cemetery Dawn Service
This morning we have an early start and travel by bus to the Anzac Dawn Service at Bomana.
Afternoon departure for homeports.