Day 1Morning charter flight to
Kokoda – Arrive in Kokoda, inspect monuments, memorials,
museum and the Australian defensive position on the
Kokoda plateau where the gallant 39th Militia Battalion
fought the Japanese army on 29 July 1942 - battle site
briefing by your trek leader - trek to Kovello and Hoi
for lunch. Begin the climb over the awesome Owen Stanley
Range. Trek through abandoned village sites to Deniki
where the first battle after the Australian withdrawal
from Kokoda took place. Overnight Deniki (approx. 3
hours) Overnight Deniki Guest House (approx. 3 hours)
Day 2
Today we continue to Isurava village - trek to the
magnificent and solemn Isurava memorial which was opened
by Prime Ministers' Sir Michael Somare and The Hon John
Howard on the 60th anniversary of the battle. Battle
site briefing will be held at Isurava. Inspect the
Isurava battle site - examine weapon pits and discarded
armaments - descend to the rear of the position at Back
Creek – trek back to Isurava Village.
Overnight Isurava Village (approx. 8 hours)
Day 3
After breakfast we continue our downwards trek back
to Kokoda where we meet our transport to take us to Oivi.
Oivi was the scene of one of our early battles and
the area where Captain Sam Templeton was killed. We will
also visit the beautiful Oivi Waterfall.
Overnight Oivi Village
Day 4
After breakfast we continue our tour and visit the
battle sites of Gorari and Awala. Awala was the scene of
our first battle with the Japanese.
We then continue on to Buna, on our way to Buna we
will stop at the Girua/Doburdura airstrip which was the
home of the US bombers, we will also stop in and view
the airstrip used by the fighter planes. Both these
strips can be seen, with some imagination, as they were
back in the war years. You will also see the massive
horseshoe earth embankments used to park the planes in
for protection.
We trek through the Japanese bunker system and then
down past the old and new Japanese airstrips. You can
still see the large bomb craters in the area and the
positions of the Japanese anti aircraft guns. We will
actually see a Japanese anti aircraft gun and radio set
in its original position.
We then walk through the village onto the beach for
our short journey to the Buna Guest House. We are
greeted on arrival by traditional dances and
refreshments.
Our dinner tonight is a traditional feast. The Beach
House is right on the beach and has fantastic views and
great swimming. Tonight we feast and enjoy some relaxing
drinks.
Overnight in Buna Guest House
Day 5
After breakfast we take a short outrigger canoe ride
across the river to the Buna Museum. We walk through the
Buna battlefields and view the Japanese bunker systems
in the area. The bunkers are made out of 44 gallon drums
filled with sand and covered with palm trees. We return
to Buna Beach for our boat ride to Sanananda. We then
set off on our trek to the famous Huggins Corner which
was the scene of fierce battles. We discover tank
shells, armaments, anti aircraft gun and a Jeep. Our
afternoon is spent relaxing on the beach front. The
Beach House is right on the beach and has fantastic
views and great swimming. Tonight we feast and enjoy
some relaxing drinks.
Overnight Buna Guest House
Day 6
After breakfast we depart for Gona, where we inspect
the battle fields of this area. We visit the Gona
Mission Station and discover a vehicle riddled with
bullets from the war. We get to see the strategic
positions of both the Australian and Japanese. Mid
morning we depart Popendetta for our flight back to Port
Moresby.
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