While Australians have a long and rich relationship with everything the Kokoda Track represents for us, exactly how far back does this history go?
Making the decision to hike the Kokoda Track is certainly not for the faint of heart. The hot, humid days partnered with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and the risk of endemic tropical diseases such as malaria makes the Kokoda Track one of the most challenging treks in the world.
Despite these odds, the route takes between four and twelve days to conquer pending fitness levels, although locals have been known to tackle it in under three. Aside from its well earned reputation for pushing hikers to their absolute limits, what is the history of the Kokoda Track prior to becoming a tourist destination?
The Origins Of The Kokoda Track
The Kokoda Track was initially a series of interconnecting small tracks used as a mail route to supply settlements around the Kokoda region. Further developed by military forces, it became a route that linked Owen’s Corner, forty kilometres north-east of Port Moresby, and the small village of Wairopi, on the northern side of the Owen Stanley mountain range. It was connected to the settlements of Buna, Gona and Sanananda on the north coast, and served as a local transit route.
Although the logic behind the attraction varies, travellers have been hiking the Kokoda Track for decades. For some, it’s all about taking in the spectacular scenery of the jungles of Papua New Guinea, while for others, it’s the physical challenge. For many, making the pilgrimage to the Kokoda Track a way to pay respect to our ANZACs, and has in turn become an increasingly popular destination for veterans from around the world.
While the jungles of Papua New Guinea were relatively undisturbed by white colonialists at the time, it’s important to remember that in 1942 – during World War II – the Territories of Papua and New Guinea were as much a part of Australia as the Northern Territory. Papua had legally become part of Australia in 1905 with the passing of the Papua Act, which transferred ownership of British Papua to Australia. In addition, New Guinea had become a League of Nations’ Mandate administered by Australia after World War I.
It was on July 21, 1942, that Japanese troops landed on the northern coast of then New Guinea, and unexpectedly began to march over the Owen Stanley Ranges – where the Kokoda Track is located – with the intent of capturing Port Moresby. Given the then ownership of the territory, it was very much true that Japan invaded Australian soil, and the mainland would have been next in line were it not for the brave actions of our soldiers on the Kokoda Track.
In fact, the Kokoda Track marks the course of one of the most important battles for Australians during World War II. Between 21 July and 16 November 1942, the Australian Army halted the furthermost southward advance by Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea, and then proceeded to push the enemy back across the mountains.
At 96km long, the Kokoda Track lacked in length, it made up for in terrain. Soldiers were challenged by steep, treacherous inclines, deep valleys, dense jungle, a debilitating climate and drenching rain that frequently turned the ground into a quagmire.
However, Australian soldiers were assisted by a number of Papuan and New Guinean men, who were employed as carriers. They played a vital role, carrying supplies and evacuating the seriously wounded and sick troops to safety, sometimes under fire. Their compassion and care of the casualties earned them admiration and respect from the Australians, who dubbed the men ‘the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’.
The story of Kokoda is one of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. These qualities are declared on the Australian memorial erected at Isurava, the site of a major attack by the Japanese in the last days of August 1942, in which both sides suffered heavy casualties.
More than 600 Australian soldiers died during World War II on the track, and more than 1000 were wounded in the four months of fighting in the vicinity of the Kokoda Track. In addition, casualties due to sickness exceeded 4000. Those Australians who died on the Kokoda Track are buried at the Bomana War Cemetery outside Port Moresby.
In 2023 and with twenty other members of the emergency services sector – both retired, and currently serving – ESPA founder Luke Lawlor is set to tackle the Kokoda Track to commemorate the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces.
In addition, the end goal of the pilgrimage is to raise some much needed funds for industry charities such as Victoria Police Legacy, Blue Ribbon and Police Veterans Victoria through donations and sponsorships.
With the aim being to raise $96,000 – or $1,000 per kilometre of the Kokoda Track – the trip is a means to both give back to the industry that supports him, and to encourage others to rally and do the same. For Luke, his previous experiences on the Kokoda Track with members of the emergency services community in 2016 were life changing, and is using his second pilgrimage to share the journey with his peers, while still fundraising through donations and sponsorships at the same time.
Hike The Kokoda Track With Luke In 2023
The ESPA Kokoda 2023 Charity Trek Challenge will be limited to twenty attendees, designed to deliver an intimate experience to get to know your fellow trekkers, along with the locals. In fact, the porters on the trek are direct descendents of the ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy angels’ that saved many Australian lives during World War II in Papua New Guinea, and have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the track’s history plus the physical trek itself.
If you are a current or retired emergency services member that has always wanted to tick the Kokoda Track off your bucket list, there’s never been a more perfect opportunity to do so whilst supporting industry charities that give much more than they ever take back.
Emergency Services Property Advisers provide property advisor services to Police, Fire, Ambulance and S.E.S personnel and their families right across Victoria. If you are looking to get more information about the ESPA Kokoda Charity Trek, or even potentially buy or sell property in the near or distant future, please get in touch with Luke today.