10 Days Kokoda Military History, Eco-tourism and ANZAC Day Treks itinerary (Kokoda to Owers Corner)

Kokoda - Owers Corner

Day 1: Kokoda to Deniki (4-5 hours)

We get transported to Kokoda by charter flight from Port Moresby. In Kokoda Village, we visit the Kokoda War Museum before starting our trek. We walk through mostly flat terrain first and pass Kovelo village and Hoi village before starting our climb up to Deniki Lookout, the place of our first overnight stop. Deniki has beautiful views over Kokoda and the Yodda Valley, Hoi and Kovelo villages.

Day 2: Deniki to Alola (4-5 hours)

From Deniki, we climb to Isurava battlefield, where we visit the Battle Field Monument for a tour and photographs. This is where Private Bruce Kingsbury was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery and gallantry in action during the battle. With little regard for his personal safety, he charged forward towards the assaulting enemy, while firing his Bren gun from his hip, which broke up the momentum in their attack and forced the Japanese to retreat. He was later shot by a Japanese sniper. We then continue our walk to Alola, which also offers great views of the valley looking north towards Kokoda. We spend the night at our guesthouse in Alola Village.

Day 3: Alola to Templetons Crossing One (5-6 hours)

Today, we leave Alola Village to climb down, then up and then down again through numerous valleys to Eora Creek. This is a major battle site where both Australian and Japanese forces lost many lives. We cross the creek and continue our trek, climbing up and over ridges, passing Templetons Crossing Two (with a war grave) to reach our campsite for the night at Templetons Crossing One. The part of the trail between Templetons Crossing and Myola (to be by-passed) was believed to have been the hardest during the campaign in the war.

Day 4: Templetons Crossing One to Diggers Rest Campsite (4-5 hours)

We leave our campsite at Templetons Crossing One and climb up to the highest part of Mt Bellamy (2190 m), which is the highest point on the Kokoda Trail. We continue our trek to the Kokoda Gap lookout, where we can see ‘The Gap’ and the terrain that was grossly underestimated by Generals MacArthur and Blamey when they gave their order to ‘blow the gap’. From there we climb up before descending down to Diggers Rest campsite.

Day 5: Digger Campsite to Efogi One (4-5 hours)

Today is a relatively short trek. After leaving our campsite, we trek for a few hours up and down the mountains before reaching Naduri village. Naduri is the home of the last remaining ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel’. From Naduri, we climb down the mountain to the creek, which we cross. We then have a bit of a steep climb up to Efogi Two, passing several cascading waterfalls along the way, before passing Launumu and reaching Efogi One. We spend the rest of the day in the small village and spend the night here in a guesthouse.

Day 6: Efogi One to Menari (5-6 hours)

We leave Efogi Village to climb the trail up to Brigade Hill. This was the site of a major four-day battle, where the Japanese outflanked the Australians and cut their position into half. Here, we take a break and look at the treacherous eastern slopes where about 300 Australian soldiers escaped from a deliberate Japanese attack, before carrying their wounded and sick out into the open after spending three weeks in the jungle. We then continue our walk past Mission Ridge before making our descent into Menari. The Japanese had captured Menari after the Battle of Brigade Hill.

Day 7: Menari to Nauro (5-6 hours)

This morning, we start with a climb up and down Mt Tamata, also known as Menari Gap. From there, we trek down a narrow ridgeline referred to as ‘The Wall’ before reaching and crossing Nauro River. We continue our trek past the famous Nauro Swamp where a section of Australian soldiers became lost and slept in waist-deep water, until we reach Nauro Village, where we set down for the night.

Day 8: Nauro to Ioribaiwa (5-6 hours)

After a good night’s rest at Nauro, we climb up the Maguli Range. Along the way, we will be able to enjoy some spectacular views of the Owen Stanley Range and Mt Victoria. We then descend down to Ofi Creek, a section of which is a steep pass known as the ‘Japanese Ladder’. Another climb up from Ofi Creek will bring us to the top of the Ioribaiwa Range. This was the final Japanese defensive position that brought them within reach of Port Moresby before they were ordered to retreat. They could see the Port Moresby city lights from here. Our campsite at Ioribaiwa is just a short walk down from here.

Day 9: Ioribaiwa to Goodwaters Campsite (4-5 hours)

From Ioribaiwa campsite, we descend down to Ua-ule Creek, which we cross, before climbing up to Imita Ridge. This is where the Australians took their last stand against the Japanese who stopped short at Ioribaiwa. From the ridge, we head down the ‘Golden Staircase’ to our last overnight stop: Goodwaters campsite.

Day 10: Goodwaters Campsite to Owers Corner (4-5 hours)

Our last day of trekking is relatively easy and will only take a few hours. We leave our campsite at Goodwaters, pass Uberi and cross Goldie River, before climbing up to the finish point of the trail at Owers Corner. Here we spend a little time at the memorial taking photographs before being transported back to our four-star hotel in Port Moresby. Back in Port Moresby, we shower, rest and have lunch before going on a bus tour of the Bomana War Cemetery and the city. You will spend your last night in your four-star hotel room in Port Moresby.

PS: For ANZAC Day treks, you will celebrate ANZAC Day (25 April) at either the Isurava battlefield or Owers Corner in this itinerary. In the former, you will walk from Deniki to Isurava, instead of Deniki to Alola on Day 2 of this itinerary. In the latter, you will complete your trek at Owers Corner right on ANZAC Day.