While the Kokoda Trail is a notable inclusion on many bucket lists, the pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea is not just exclusive to veterans or history buffs.
Making the decision to hike the Kokoda Track is not for the faint hearted. The hot, humid days partnered with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and the risk of endemic tropical diseases such as malaria make it quite the challenge for participants – if not one of the most challenging treks in the world.
Despite these odds, the route takes between four and twelve days to conquer depending on your fitness level, and has been an enormously popular and cathartic experience for visitors from all around the world. Prior to the arrival of the global pandemic, around five thousand Australians alone make the journey north to Papua New Guinea each year to complete the gruelling Kokoda Track, as the trail holds particular significance to many members of our nation’s society as well as the locals who watch over the trail itself.
Why Australians Continue To Hike The Kokoda Track
It is believed that if the Japanese Army had taken the north coast of Papua New Guinea during the events of World War II, that there would have been nothing to stop them from invading Australia. As such, almost one thousand Australian men made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that this never happened, and would arguably have been unable to do so without the help of the local “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels”.
“Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” was the name given to Papua New Guinean war carriers by Australian soldiers. During World War II, these brave locals were recruited to bring supplies up to the front, and carry injured Australian troops down the Kokoda Trail during the Kokoda Campaign. Although the term “Fuzzy Wuzzy” was originally used by British soldiers in the 19th century as a name for Hadendoa warriors on the Red Sea coast of Sudan and referred to their elaborate butter-matted hairstyles, their legacy has lived on through their descendants that still reside on or nearby the Kokoda Track.
Although the logic behind the attraction varies, Australian pilgrims have been hiking the 96km stretch of the Kokoda Trail for quite literally decades as a means to pay homage to what our veterans endured back in 1942. For many, the historical significance and symbolism of what the Kokoda Trail represents is it’s biggest draw card, but what are some of the most common driving factors that people identify with as the reason for their own journey to Papua New Guinea today?
The History – Each year a significant number of Australians embark on this pilgrimage to learn about and reflect upon the 1942 battle of Kokoda, with much of the track region appearing as it did almost eighty years ago where the Australian soldiers fought. Kokoda was described as the harshest and worst conditions any soldier could ever be ordered to fight in, and those well read on the events of World War II often find themselves on the trail for its historical significance.
The Challenge – When we refer to the level of fitness required to undertake the pilgrimage, let’s say walking around a block of flats in inner city Melbourne comes in at a 1/10 on the difficulty scale, with the Mount Everest Base Camp trek at a 10/10. In comparison, the Kokoda Trail has been ranked at a 7/10, with significant preparation and moderate cardio fitness being the bare requirements. For those who like a challenge, this is one of the trek’s most appealing factors.
The Scenery – When visitors arrive to Papua New Guinea, they’re often faced with a big culture shock when landing in the bustling city of Port Moresby. However, Papua New Guinea is largely mountainous, and much of it is covered with tropical rainforest. The trail itself is in the heart of the rainforest, and is home to a jaw dropping mix of high altitudes, narrow crests, thick vegetation, crystal clear rivers, and a wide variety of native wildlife that call the jungle home.
The Culture – Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with over 851 known languages present in the country. Just 13% of the population reside in the cities, which leaves a large number of Papua New Guineans still abiding by traditional village life away from urban hubs and Western practices. With strong ties to Australians, many porters of the Kokoda Trail are all too happy to share their culture with visitors once they’re comfortable.
The Catharsis – From the findings of the 2010 ADF Mental Health Prevalence And Well-Being Study, it has been estimated that 90% of ADF members have experienced at least one potentially traumatic event at some time in their life. For many defence force veterans, travelling to Papua New Guinea to trek the Kokoda Trail has been cathartic for them to talk about their experiences, with many charities hosting treks to raise funds for the ongoing care of veterans.
Hiking the Kokoda Track in 2016 was a life changing event for Emergency Services Property Advisors founder, Luke Lawlor. Although already armed with over twenty years experience in the real estate industry, getting to know his fellow adventurers while he was completing the track really got the wheels turning, as many of them were in fact emergency service workers themselves.
As such, he founded his business on the back of the emergency services community, as there were no other real estate advisory services operating to cater just for them. With strong ties to the Victorian police force, ambulance service and firefighting sectors, Luke actively ensures that as a business, he contributes both his time and money to ensure that the sector receives the same support that they have provided him with.
In 2023 and with twenty other members of the emergency services sector – both retired, and currently serving – Luke is set to tackle the Kokoda Track once more. However, this time it’s for vastly different reasons, with the end goal being to raise some much needed funds for industry charities such as Victoria Police Legacy, Blue Ribbon and Police Veterans Victoria through donations and sponsorships.
Hike The Kokoda Trail With Luke In 2023
With the aim being to raise $96,000 – or $1,000 per kilometre of the Kokoda Track – the trip is a means for Luke to both give back to the industry that supports him, and to encourage others to rally and do the same.
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 descendants 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.
