Mission Kokoda for MND

Trekking for those who can't

Supporters of the fundraising mission were kept up to date on the team's journey with regular posts on their facebook page.

The Kokoda Track, which travels through the remote Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua New Guinea, is considered one of the world's hardest treks! Both spectacular and challenging, it takes you through remote jungles, isolated villages and rugged mountains. Combined with large temperature swings, intense humidity, heavy rainfall, and a risk of tropical diseases like malaria, the Kokoda Track is a challenge even for highly experienced hikers.

Here we share highlights from the team's facebook updates:

19/8/23 - In two more days, we’ll be on our way to Papua New Guinea to trek the Kokoda Track. To retrace the footsteps of our Australian soldiers, honouring the sacrifices they made, is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and one we don’t take lightly.

More than 600 Australians died during the Battle of Kokoda, fighting for our freedom, amongst the most unforgiving terrain and debilitating climate. Their camps were fraught with dysentery, malaria and many other complications. Our soldiers, some enlisted as civilian volunteers, were heavily outnumbered, at least 5 to 1, by highly skilled Japanese soldiers.

They fought for over four months in a desperate campaign that saw enormous suffering on both sides.

As we complete the 96km journey crossing the formidable Owen Stanley Range, we will carry with us the four words chiselled into the memorial at Isurava: COURAGE, ENDURANCE, MATESHIP, SACRIFICE

And most importantly…..We Will Remember Them.

*UPDATE - DAY 1 *

The team started at Foodworld and the Bomana War Cemetery before making the 1.5hr drive to the start of the Kokoda Track!

After arriving safely at camp at Goodwater, they started the day with a visit to the local supermarket and then it was off to the Bomana War Cemetery to pay their respects. And another bus trip to the start of the trek at Owers Corner.

Here they were introduced to their porters and spent time looking at the 25 pounder gun!

Some photos under the arches, before heading down the first hill.

Crossing Goldie River at the bottom of the descent, they continued on to Goodwater Campsite, where they are camped for the night.

Starting the trek with dry, clear and hot conditions for an easy 4kms.

Day 1 done! No turning back now, hope everyone has everything they need!

*UPDATE - DAY 2*

So heading into a hot day 2 with a 12km trek to Ioribaiwa Village! They were met with their first big climb up Imita Ridge, where the brave Aussies were ordered to make their last stand against the Japanese before a steep descent down to Ua-Ule Creek.

The team were able to a break as they made a stop at Ua-Ule Creek village for lunch and a cool off, enjoying a swim.

Back on the trail again, they crossed the creek 200 times, or so it seemed before another big climb up to Ioribaiwa.

Word is, they are doing well despite the heat!

*UPDATE - DAY 3*

Today saw the team go into the first of the 3 big climbs! This morning they started with a climb to reach Ioribaiwa battle site, the furthest point of the Japanese advance.

They had a stop here and heard the story of the battle site. They were also able to see some Japanese and Australian relics.

After exploring, they headed into a swim and cool off before they descended to Ofi Creek, starting the 3 hour climb up the Maguli Range.

This is a tough hot climb, although they were lucky enough to have some cloud cover today!

They stopped for lunch at Banana Camp, with the amazing camp cooks dishing up a feed of sushi!

After lunch it was more climbing, before a much needed descent into the beautiful village of Nauro. Here they will sit around a fire and camp for the night!

They are doing great and are in good spirits!!

*UPDATE - DAY 4*

Day 4 saw the team do a BIG 16.5kms! They set out from beautiful Nauro down into the Brown River Swamp, before eventually crossing the Brown River.

They walked through the lovely village of Agulogo before they started the steep pinch up 'the wall' and continues on to reach the large village of Menari. Menari is famous for the 39th Battalion parade where the troops were addressed by their Commander Lt Col Ralph Honner and congratulated on their efforts.

The team then stopped for lunch and a much-needed rest. After lunch there was a half an hour downpour, making it a bit slippery, before the steep 3hr incline up to the famous battle grounds of Brigade Hill.

Here they will camp for the night.

They are doing great and ready for a big feed from the camp chef!

*UPDATE -DAY 5*

Team 505 started this morning with a memorial service at the Brigade Hill battle site. After the emotional service, they wandered around the ridgeline to Efogi Village, the largest on the track.

They were able to have a look through the museum, looking at artefacts found along the track and reading information on the campaign.

Then they ventured up a short, but feels like vertical, climb up to Efogi 2 Village, where there is always fresh fruit and billum bags to shop for!

The team descended down into Efogi River then back up into the village of Naduri where the last Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel was living prior to his death in 2013.

They checked out a traditional tree house built by the locals and enjoyed a much needed lunch at the village. Then it was a long steep climb up the Naduri Range, until they reached the comfort of the Moss Forest and Camp 1900. This is their rest spot for the night!

Enjoying a cooler environment up there so they will be having a fire tonight, contained and safe of course! Everyone is doing great after a 14.5km day!

They have hit day 5, hopefully Nathan’s snoring isn’t keeping anyone awake!

*UPDATE - DAY 6*

Woohoo! Over halfway now, with having completed a relatively easy 12km, walking across the top of the ranges.

Starting the day with a walk from Diggers Camp to Myola Lakes which was a vital supply drop zone during the Kokoda campaign. From there they went onto Bombers Camp to check out the B25 plane wreck.

Then it was back into the Moss Forest to make their way up to the highest point of the track. Continuing to the Kokoda Gap and then down to Dump 1 for some lunch and a swim.

Then travelling to Templeton's Crossing, named after Captain Sam Templeton, who was one of the first to be killed during the early stages of the Kokoda Campaign. There are the graves of the 31 Australians who fell during the battle of Templeton’s Crossing during the Australian advance. The fallen were later relocated to Bomana War Cemetery.

Word is, they are doing great, tired but well.

With some clouds hovering giving a break from the suns heat, there is no rain!

UPDATE - DAY 7*

The team are doing great! They have left camp at Templeton’s crossing and made their way to the Eora Creek spur.

This is one of the positions where the battle of Eora creek was conducted. There are still visible signs of the Australians defensive positions.

They were able to have a look at a dug up cache of mortars and grenades. They then continued down the spur into Eora creek, before climbing up the other side to inspect the Japanese positions.

Then it was a steep pinch up to the village of Alola for a well-earned rest and lunch break. After lunch it was a fairly easy walk to inspect Con's Rock, a makeshift surgical table from the campaign.

And finally this afternoon they made their way into camp at the Isurava Memorial. There is always some excitement in the air at Isurava as they prepare for their last day on the track tomorrow.

Today's efforts saw them complete a 12km trek as they experienced drizzle all day, so the track was quite muddy.

They have raised an impressive $7967 so far, please continue to share and donate to help MND research.

THEY HAVE FINISHED IN KOKODA

Day 8, the final day of the trek and our team has made it to Kokoda! They experienced some rain today, so again quite slippery.

This morning they held a memorial service at the Isurava Memorial to pay their respects to the men who lost their lives on the battle field there.

They were able to inspect the site where Bruce Kingsbury won the Victoria Cross, the only one awarded during the campaign.

After the service, they continued on and walked onto Isurava Village, on a downhill stretch through many native gardens and into the village of Deniki. Here the team stopped for a rest and had a look out over the Kokoda valley.

They then continued down to the beautiful village of Hoi for lunch and a swim. After lunch it was only a 6km flat stretch of track, that's right flat, to finally pass under the arches at Kokoda and complete the historic 96km journey.

After high fives and photos, they continued a short walk to the Kokoda Plateau where they inspected the battle site and the small museum, before walking a short distance to camp where they will celebrate tonight with a fresh meal and drinks! Well done to the team and fellow trekkers.