Kokoda Spirit News
Read About our Kokoda Trail Trekking
and Papua New Guinea Adventures
Posted February 26, 2008
Kokoda Spirit Discovers
Japanese soldier's skeleton
Wayne
Wetherall and crew on the Kokoda Trail made around the world
news with the discovery of the remains of a Japanese soldier.
It is believed to be the first time in 30
years a complete skeleton has been found on the narrow 96-km
trail, the scene of several fierce battles fought between
Japanese and Australian soldiers from 1942 to 1943.
Listen to an interview with Wayne on ABC
National
"Occasionally, we will come across single
bones, soldiers' boots, bullets, grenades and weapon pits. But
to find a full set of human remains is very unusual because of
the ravages of war and time, and the fact that most soldiers
were buried in very shallow graves in a hurry," Wetherall said.
The discovery was made in the Mount
Bellamy area on February 10. The group also found another
two sets of boots nearby, making it likely the remains of at
least two more soldiers are close by.
The grave was dug at least 60 cm deep and
the soldier carefully laid to rest, placed on his side and with
his personal belongings clutched close to his chest. Someone
would have had a lot of respect to have buried this soldier,
this warrior, in that way.
The burial site included the dog tags of
the soldier. Wetherall said he hopes the find will help
bring closure to the soldier's family in Japan. The
Japanese Embassy in PNG is sending a recovery team to properly
collect the remains of their fallen soldiers.
Sent: Tuesday, 26
February 2008 11:23 AM
To: kokodaspirit@bigpond.com
Subject: Re: Japanese Skeletons on Kokoda Track
Dear Mr. Wetherall,
Thank you for your email and photos. Today I will send the
information to Tokyo including new skeltons you found.
Also, I would like to say thank you for your kind support to
keep the remains from flood. I am afraid of possibility of flood
erosion, but since I write "urgent" in my report, I hope that a
mission to recover the remains will be dispatched as soon as
possible.
If you visit the area in the future, I am glad if you let me
know the situation.
Regards,
*************************************
Susumu Kiyosawa
Embassy of Japan in Papua New Guinea
*************************************
Kokoda Track
Saved!!!!
No Mining on the Kokoda Track!!!! Reported by Wayne Wetherall
I have just returned
from a whirlwind trip to PNG. What a fantastic trip it was!
I had a meeting with
Mr Vincent Kambori, the PNG Government Secretary for
Planning. He is also the Planning Secretary for Mining
in PNG and the new National Government Secretary for
establishing an agreement for the protection of the Kokoda
Track.
I presented Mr.
Kambori with the anti mining petition from the Landowners
along the Kokoda Track and explained the benefits of eco
tourism along the track for the Landowners and villages and
the environmental degradation that mining is causing and
will continue to cause to the Kokoda Track.
He informed me
personally during our talks that he and the PNG Government
are rejecting the mining application by Frontier Mining
along the Kokoda Track and any other future applications. We
also discussed plans to implement a joint Australian PNG
plan to implement the Joint "Kokoda Track Heritage Icon
plan", which will be devised to protect the Kokoda Track
from any future mining or logging operations.
The plan will also
implement environmental and economical plans to protect the
track from over commercialisation and environmental damage
and to also maximise the benefits to the communities along
the Kokoda Track. The plan is to be implemented and
announced jointly by the PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare
and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Mr. Rudds soon
upcoming visit to PNG.
This is fantastic
news and could be a major announcement at the KTF Ralph
Honner Dinner. Congratulations to all our trekkers and
friends who stood up for their beliefs and campaigned
against the mining on the track. Your caring has made people
realise how important the Kokoda Track is to our Australian
and PNG Heritage and Spirit. This is one example when an
individual can make a difference and "the more impossible
something seems the more possible it becomes."
Buna - Oro Bay Cyclone Update Reported by Wayne Wetherall -
January 23, 2008
During my PNG trip I
had a meeting with Basil the Chief of Chiefs in the Buna
Sanananda area and also the PNG Government Secretary for
planning. They both informed me that the majority of food
and aid supplies are not getting to the remote parts of the
Oro Province areas.
There is still a
major problem with lack of food, starvation, sickness and
major water contamination due to the wells been spoilt by
the floods. There is a major requirement for water
purification tablets and water purification or desalination
equipment, general antibiotics and medical aid.
There is a need also
for general gardening equipment, shovels , picks, axes etc.
The village gardens are still three months away from
producing any substantial amount of food. The situation in
the area is still severe. Ongoing assistance is required for
basic food, clean water and medicines.
Posted January 16, 2008
Kevin Mansfield Joins Kokoda Spirit
Kevin Mansfield has joined Kokoda
Spirit has our International Operations Manager.
Kevin has over 25 years experience in
leading, instructing and helping people achieve their full
potential. He has designed and implemented experiential
learning based programs for secondary schools, tertiary and
corporate clients. He has represented Australia at 3 World
Whitewater canoeing championships and held over 35
Australian and International titles. Kevin has organized and
led expeditions throughout the most remote areas in
Australia, East Timor, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Tibet and
many other destinations around the world.
In 1999 he spent several months assisting
the East Timorese in rebuilding their war torn country with
the direct support of current President Xanana Gusmao.
Through trusting relationships with local Papuans he has
opened up remote Papuan villages to tourism and has recently
developed and implemented successful Long Tan battlefield
tours to Vietnam. Kevin has on many occasions taken groups
to Mt Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna’s.
Kevin has a unique ability to get people
to work together, communicate and problem solve. He has
facilitated many companies in a number of leadership and
behavioural change programs, including the Singapore
Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore Police Force Training
command and Victorian Country Fire Authority.
A passion for bush tucker and survival
skills, combined with over 30 years exploration and trekking
experience throughout the most remote areas of Australia has
given Kevin unsurpassed knowledge in Survival techniques.
Over the last 4 years he led groups of the famous Gurhka
soldiers on training expeditions through the rugged
Kimberley area of Western Australia; this program will
continue in 2008.
Kevin uses the outdoors as his medium. He
takes you out of your comfort zone, challenges and supports
you through a range of experiences that will empower you and
your team. He will eagerly share his historical, cultural
and environmental knowledge of the areas we visit with you
in an attempt to make your journey an experience of a
lifetime.
Posted January 14, 2008
Posted November 2, 2007
Kokoda Challenge Achieved
Students and staff from Chancellor College joined with some
community members on their recent Kokoda Trek in the
September holidays. Anneaka and Torben Pellicaan, Tania
Neller, Michael Davies-Hill, Blake Wetherall joined teacher
Ben Grayell and staff member Sue Bray on the trek led by
Wayne Wetherall of Kokoda Spirit.
It was tough and wet for a lot of the trek, but everyone was
so exhilarated at the end, they couldn’t wipe the smiles off
their faces for completing such an arduous, challenging yet
rewarding trek.
What next? We hope to make the Trek a regular Chancellor
Challenge – hopefully every two years.
Kokoda Track 16th July to 24th July 2007-Kokoda
Spirit Trek
Story & Photos by Neil Chesworth
The
Kokoda Track was used since the beginning of time for
trading between the North Coast of this New Guinea region
with people of the south coastal areas. When Europeans
arrived it’s continued use increased until on 23 July 1942,
the Japanese Army decided that it would be possible to cross
it from Buna/Gona area to Port Moresby with 6000 seasoned
well trained experienced soldiers. Only the Victorian 39th
Battalion, a militia Battalion, along with the 53rd ,NSW
Battalion, stood between the might of Japan and Port
Moresby.
These rugged soldier heroes of Australia held a retreating
withdrawal until the
2nd/14th and 2nd/16th AIF Battalions arrived
at Isurava to help stem the Japanese onslaught. In short,
three army brigades were committed and if it wasn’t for the
over extension of the Japanese army, the Japanese could well
have captured Port Moresby. Brigade Hill nearly became
“Australia’s Custers last stand”. We lost 72 men killed as
the Japanese outflanked and encircled our fighting men.
To walk the Kokoda Track (Trail) is a wonderful experience.
It is very much a trek that constantly is going up and
constantly going down. The body is working constantly and
the knees become tired as the day’s progress. The nine days
of constant effort over the 96kms (plus
6kms to Myola) tell on everybody, some more than others. It
is as though you
have gone through a grinding machine. You
must watch where you place every footstep so that you don’t
fall.
When you are sleeping poorly at night and you need to get up
for the next days trek and your knees don’t want to bend and
feel sore to bend, you will know what I mean.
Alan Fox summed it up by his advice to me, “It is not that
hard, but you will know that you have walked a full day,
everyday!”
You
have nine days to think about what happened here in the
jungle of the Owen Stanley Range and how you would have
coped yourself, if you
had such a challenge.
You have time to think about what is important in your life.
You consider how poorly the “upper brass” appreciated the
predicament that the ordinary soldier found himself in on
the Kokoda Track (This happened on both sides). Until the
Australian soldiers returned to Kokoda the army on the track
were under-manned and outnumbered by the Japanese. They were
cold, hungry and disease ridden.
My uncles company of the 2nd/3rd Battalion
started with 120 men at Templeton’s Crossing. There were 8
left when they were relieved at Sanananda. They were always
fighting up and needed a knive at the end of a stick. Hence
they kept there .303 rifles and bayonets instead of taking
up a fallen mates Tommie Gun or Bren Gun. Most soldiers fell
by the wayside through disease. Many died from the disease.
Scrub typhus killed 19 out of 20 who contacted it. 560
soldiers died on the Kokoda Track. For some their bodies
have never been found.
In time, the Kokoda Track may equal Anzac Cove in our remembrance
of our past soldier’s efforts. In this case they were the
first to defend Australian soil and to protect Australia
from potential invasion. This was a first for Australia.
At Isurava the memorial has four pillars that stand for the
diggers, Sacrifice, Mateship, Courage and Endurance. These
four words described the Australian pioneering spirit, a
spirit that is still with Australians today.
Posted August 7, 2007
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Public Liability Insurance
Kokoda Spirit has a comprehensive Risk Assessment, Risk
Management and Operational Plan in place for its Kokoda
Track treks and other trekking adventures.
These operational plans and our outstanding safety record on
the Kokoda Track have allowed Kokoda Spirit to obtain a
Public Liability Insurance Policy, underwritten by Lloyds of
London for a maximum amount of $10million per claim.
Public Liability Insurance and Personal/Medical Insurance
are absolutely essential to ensure you are fully covered for
any unforseen accidents or sickness on the Kokoda Track.
Kokoda Spirit includes your Public Liability Insurance in
your trekking price.
Posted
May 23, 2007
Kokoda is trip of a
lifetime
by: Kathryn Roberts
Three residents have just come back from the trip of a
lifetime, but it was "no walk in the park."
Tom Kelly, Ali Laidler, and Mel Fidock honoured Australia's
war dead by trekking the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea
for Anzac Day.
Ali and Mel trekked from Kokoda to Owers Corner while Tom
completed the trail in the opposite direction.
Ali said: "We just wanted to pay homage to the guys who
fought for us. It was something to go and
experience--something the boys went through." Mel said she
had a range of reasons for doing the trip.
She said: "It was 40 per cent walking and 10 per cent just
getting up and doing it."
They spent nine days hiking through the inhospitable jungle
terrain, sometimes up to 12 hours a day in pouring rain. But
it was worth it.
Tom, senior executive officer of Peter Kittle Motor Company,
said: "In some placed the track is two metres wide, but then
it's only four inches wide in others--some of it is just
like following footprints."
"I respect and admire our Diggers for what they did."
The trio had the utmost respect for the local porters.
Mel said: "They got us through. And, they would be in bare
feet or the cheapest sneakers while we were in expensive
hiking shoes."
Meeting the last of the fuzzy wuzzy angels who helped
evacuate the World War II diggers, Mel said: "You pay to
have your photo taken with them, but they've earned it."
Tom spent Anzac Day in the town of Isurava while Ali and Mel
attended the Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery, where more
than 3500 soldiers are buried.
Ali said: "Just hearing 'The Last Post' and looking at the
graves - it was so sad."
Posted May 23, 2007
PNG backs lifting Kokoda to Gallipoli status
May 17, 2007
www.theage.com.au
Papua New Guinea's foreign minister has backed a proposal to
turn the wartime Kokoda Track into an Australian heritage
destination on a par with Gallipoli.
Paul Tiensten said today the issue of an Australian gold
mining company wanting to mine on or near the track was an
important one for both countries to work through.
He said Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told him
Australian authorities wanted to work with the PNG
government to improve the track and lift its status to that
of Gallipoli.
That World War I battlefield in Turkey is visited by many
thousands of Australians each year, particularly on Anzac
Day.
The strenuous 96km Kokoda Track is becoming increasingly
popular with Australian trekkers with more than 3,000
walking it last year and even more expected this year.
Tiensten said the sooner the track was improved and its
status lifted to that of Gallipoli, the more Australian
tourists would visit the area, including schoolchildren.
"It's important to Papua New Guinea as well, I think it's
the right thing to do for us as a country because we want
more tourists to come here from Australia and give us more
money."
But Tiensten said appropriate upgrading and new
infrastructure was needed on the track and his government
needed to ensure a good law and order situation for
trekkers.
Australian company Frontier Resources last year started
exploring near part of the Kokoda Track with the aim of
unearthing an estimated $1.7 billion worth of gold and
copper.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard, backed by Australian
returned servicemen, called for a stop to any mining around
the track, saying it was of enormous historical significance
to Australia.
More than 600 Australian soldiers died stopping a Japanese
advance along the track across the Owen Stanley range during
World War II.
The PNG government said it was too early to be concerned
about environmental damage to the track and PNG had strict
compliance processes that would ensure historical and
cultural sites were protected.
Frontier's managing director Peter McNeil said any mining
would be five or more years away and would not impact on the
track itself.
Tiensten said today that the Australian and PNG governments
needed to discuss the issue.
"If you make it something similar to Gallipoli, then the
whole area needs to be quarantined."
Local landowners who might benefit from mining royalties
would have to be assisted with alternative benefits, he
said.
"If they (Australians) treat it like Gallipoli then they
will develop it and I'm sure a lot of benefits will come to
the landowners."
Noting that Frontier Resources was Australian, Tiensten said
Canberra should tell the company to look at other prospects.
Posted
May 3, 2007
Kokoda Chicks Challenge 2007 Special Trek
Raise money for breast
cancer research and support programmes.
Team Leader Viona Young
is very passionate about supporting breast cancer research
and support programmes.
“Breast cancer touches most
people in some way and I am sure you are reading this
thinking about someone you have lost, someone you know who
is being treated, all because of breast cancer.
Personally I have lost both
my mother and grandmother to breast cancer, In particular,
my mum fought one incredible battle and did some amazing
things whilst very sick and receiving chemo treatment.
After seeing the courage with
which my mum faced her greatest challenge, I have decided to
under take my own personal challenge by organising and
taking the trip of a lifetime for a great cause”.
Additional info on Challenge 15-28
October 2007
We are seeking brave women to
join us in an incredible adventure to honour women we know
and love that have been affected by breast cancer and raise
money for research and support programmes.
Pay for your own travel and
trek and raise $5,000 each.
Michael Milton skis down
slopes at over 200km/h, has won a dozen gold
medals and climbed Africa’s highest peak. But Australia’s
fastest skier says
none of it matches the experience of walking the Kokoda
Trail.
Kokoda is like nothing I
have ever experienced before. The climate, the jungle, the
scenery, the physical and mental challenge, the history.
It’s almost
overwhelming yet so empowering. I can’t wait to go again,”
said Milton.
He and Wayne Wetherall from
Kokoda Spirit, the company that guided Milton along the
trail that first time, have created the ultimate package.
Limited to 12 trekkers, the trip is designed for people who
want to explore their limits, wander through paradise and
hear stories about Australia’s courageous war-time heroes.
The usual Kokoda Spirit
package has been modified to allow trekkers to focus
more on the physical and mental challenge while they walk
alongside Milton. Wetherall believes it will appeal to
high level managers and those looking for the edge in
business or life.
The idea is to explore your
mental toughness, experience the physical and mental journey
and to really learn something about yourself and those
around you. Having Michael along is a huge bonus. If you
want motivation, he’s the guy. The chance to learn what
makes him tick and watch him tackle steep hills is
priceless.”
Download the Michael Milton Trek information in PDF.
Ski ace Milton saddles up
New Story February 6, 2007
CHAMPION Paralympic speed
skier Michael Milton,
who trekked the
Kokoda Trail with Kokoda Spirit in 2006, is on the
verge of making a sporting switch.
Instead of competing in
sub-zero temperatures across the Alps, Milton has emerged as
cycling's newest attraction in the 30C-plus sweat box that
is Dunc Gray Velodrome in Bass Hill, Sydney.
Milton plans to compete at the Australian track cycling
championships this week as an experiment with a view to
switching sports permanently.
He has blossomed during a six-month trial period that
culminated in second place in the men's multi-disability LC3
1km time trial yesterday, behind established rider Glen
Jarvis from Victorian.
Milton has remained silent on the subject, keen to keep the
development under wraps, but the sight of the dynamic ACT
athlete in his debut race was impossible to miss.
"Cycling has been a little bit of a hobby of mine and it's
good to keep in shape and to be learning all about a new
sport," he said yesterday.
"Cycling is actually a bit harder than skiing because
gravity isn't involved.
"I'm enjoying training with other people as well, because
with skiing you are on your own a lot.
"I have the pursuit tomorrow and then I'll sit down with
(manager and partner) Penny and evaluate how it went and
work out what's best.
"(Giving up skiing) is something that I have to work out
because I'd be giving up what I make for a living, so it
becomes a financial decision as well."
The move hasn't been without complication, and Milton wore
an ice vest during his final yesterday .
"It has been a bit difficult adjusting to the weather as
I've had about 16 white Christmases and now I'm back in the
warm," Milton said.
Posted
January 30, 2007
Mission Australia Kokoda 2007
The Mission Australia
Kokoda Trail 2007 trek brochure with Kokoda Spirit is now
available.
Download the brochure in PDF.
Posted January 11, 2007
Threat of the Kokoda Trail
Being Closed in 2007?
There has been some recent
publicity regarding the possibility of the Kokoda Track
being closed in 2007. I have just returned from PNG and had
numerous discussions with Landowners and my Head Porters. My
belief and understanding is that the Track will not close.
It generates hundreds of jobs for the locals along the track
and is the largest tourism product in the country. The
Landowners are concerned that they are not seeing any
improvements to the track or their villages. They understand
that the trekkers pay a fee to the Kokoda Track Authority
(KTA) and some of this money is tied up in administration.
The KTA appear to be doing a good job in difficult political
circumstances. I believe that the PNG Government will assist
with funding and everyone will benefit.
Read a letter from the head of the KTA Warren Bartlett
explaining the situation in response to a story in the
Port Moresby Post Courier on Friday 15 December, 2006.
Our first trek goes out in February as business as normal.
A plan for sustainable tourism on the Kokoda Track has been
presented and accepted to the PNG Government. We will
keep you up to date if any developments take place.
Kokoda Spirit Featured on
Channel 7 Today Tonight Program
The Kokoda challenge
REPORTER:
David Richardson
BROADCAST DATE:
November 17, 2006
The unlikely duo walked the Kokoda
Track
It
is the challenge of a lifetime. Two strangers, the
oddest couple imaginable, joined by their
determination to conquer one of the last great
outdoor treks left on the planet - the Kokoda Track.
A dream
to complete the 96 kilometre jungle hell we know as
the "Kokoda Track".
Joining
Today Tonight on this adventure were
para-olympic gold medallist and the fastest
Australian on snow, Michael Milton.
He
aimed to become the first person in history to cross
the track on crutches. He lost his left leg to
cancer when a 9-year old boy.
The
second person on our trip was an overweight
housewife from outback Queensland who had won the
Coca-cola community challenge, a nationwide
competition.
Robyn
Sanewski from Biloela had adapted a sports activity
programme for children in her small town.
For six
months she had trained vigorously to cut her weight
down from 186 kilograms to 119 for the long
torturous walk.
Kokoda
Spirit had compiled a 10 day itinerary for the team,
but within hours Robyn was feeling the pinch.
She was
trying to match, step by agonising step, her walking
mate Michael Milton. It left her breathess and her
heart pounding at more than 120 beats a minute.
Within
three days Kokoda Spirit Trek-master Wayne Wetherall
was considering air lifting the stricken mother out
of the jungle.
But she
persisted, and with the help of two trek leaders
managed to complete the gruelling walk two days
ahead of schedule.
It was a life-changing experience
for all involved.
Robyn will now return to her home
town a hero, and immediately begin a small business
she has dreamed of opening for years, but never
before had the courage to try.
"I found in myself that I am not a
loser. I found I can do stuff that I never
ever imagined tryuing.
"If you've got the heart, give it
a go," she said.
Michael Milton will take a well
deserved break before going into training to beat
his Australian speed skiing time of 213 kilometres
an hour.
The jungle will give way to snow,
but he plans yet more expeditions in the years to
come to challenge himself, and attempt to find his
own limits of endurance.
For more information
contact Kokoda Spirit
Phone: (07) 5445-2758
Website: www.kokodaspirit.com
Posted November 16, 2006
MICHAEL MILTON AND QUEENSLAND HERO TRIUMPH ON THE KOKODA
TRAIL
Michael Milton, Australia’s
fastest skier and Ambassador of the Coca-Cola Community
Awards has successfully completed the Kokoda Trail alongside
Awards winner, Robyn Sanewski from Biloela in Queensland.
Walking the gruelling 96 km
trail with Michael was Robyn's prize, together with a
$10,000 grant for her organisation from the Coca-Cola
Australia Foundation, for her outstanding commitment to
inspiring young people to lead healthy lifestyles through
her program “Fit For Life”.
Read the rest of the story here.
Kokoda Spirit expects an
exciting year in 2007 with lots of trekkers on the Kokoda
Trail. We are adding some new tours in 2007 to
Borneo
travelling to Sabah and following the trail of the historic
Sandakan-Ranau Death March.
We are also headed to
Vietnam
on the Long Tan Battle Tour covering a lot of country in 8
days and almost the entire country in 18 days.
Make your plans NOW for
these exciting adventures.
Posted June 12, 2006
THE KOKODA SPIRIT
A poem written by Rob Gear - A true Warrior
I was which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go
And did what others failed to do.
I ask nothing from those who give nothing.
I have learnt to accomplish great things we must not only
act,
But also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
Patience is the essential quality of man.
There are many paths but only one way.
To whatever path you choose in life be always true to
yourself.
If you stand in your own truth you don’t have shame.
I have learnt the power of the mind is infinite while brawn
is limited.
There is no glory without suffering, whilst fortune favours
the brave
and success is never blamed.
Through exhilaration of victory or devastation in defeat
I have walked through life with my right foot foremost
and kept my nose to the wind and my eyes on the horizon.
Reluctanly I accepted the thought of Eternal loneliness,
should I fail. For the greatest glory is not in never
falling,
but in rising every time we fall.
I have learnt we are made wise not by recollections of our
past but
the responsibility for our future. What is hidden within
will dictate what
will appear on the outside. That which we did not confront
in ourselves
we will meet as fate.
I have learnt what we do in life echoes in eternity and our
lives and
remembered by the gifts we give our children.
I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of
fear and
endowed the blood, sweat and tears in training.
I have felt the smoothness of technique and skill, tasted
the victory in battle.
I have learnt that technique must transcend, so that the art
becomes an artless art,
growing out of the unconscious.
I have discovered that nothing is impossible to a willing
mind,
for a man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in
his every action.
And has developed the confidence of who he is.
I have cried, pained and hoped….
But most of all I have times others would say are best
forgotten.
At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of
who I am….
Join us on the ultimate Kokoda experience as we walk "In
the footsteps of heroes- In the footsteps of our brothers."
The complete journey along the Kokoda Trail from Port
Moresby from Ower's Corner across the trail to Kokoda
and then on to Gona beach.
Follow in the footsteps of the Kokoda veterans as they
battled the Japanese from Port Moresby across the rugged
Kokoda Trail until the defeat of the Japanese at the
beachhead of Gona. Explore the beachhead area of Gona where
fierce fighting and heroic actions by the Australians
finally defeated the Japanese. The Gona beachhead area is
significant as this was where the Japanese landed and
commenced their fight across the Kokoda Trail. This
remarkable trek across the Kokoda Trail discovers the
battlefields along the trail, and allows you to experience
the rugged beauty and diverse culture that the Kokoda Trail
offers.
Read more.
Posted March 16, 2006
Tips for Travellers
www.smartraveller.gov.au is the Australian
Government travel warning web site. Good info for the
travellers.
www.jetset.com.au is our travel agent for flights
www.webjet.com.auis a Kokoda Spirit client and a
great web site for tracking cheap flights.
September 17 -
September 22, 2006 6 Day Express Trek
Posted March 9, 2006 KOKODA
The Movie
Hi Wayne and Bonny,
Well its been 6 months since Bonny led us up the track
and I wanted to let you know we have finished the movie. It
is called KOKODA and will be in cinemas in Australia
from late April. For more information you can go to
www.kokodathemovie.com.au.
Thank you once again, your assistance on the track was
invaluable to us completing the movie.
The trekking season for 2006 is filling
up quickly. We have a limited
number of specials. First in best dressed!
March 13-22 9 day
trek. 3 spots only left at our super special price
of $1595
April 9- 14. 5 day
Express Trek, 3 spots available at our special price
of $1695
Anzac 1 has 4
spots left due to a cancellation. Be
quick! $1795 to book the ultimate Anzac trek
experience.
Anzac 2 is
booked out!
We have added a new
Anzac Day trek, Anzac 4, 17th-26th April, Anzac
Day at Isurava. We have 6 spots available at
$1795
We still have some
space for our Anzac 3 trek, April 24 - May 3.
Anzac Day at Isurava. 4 spots left at this special
price plus free supply of tent and pack! $1695
May 8-17 trek. 4
spots left at $1595
June 4-10. 7day
express trek 3 spots left at a very cool price of
$1495
June 26- 2 July. 4
spots left at our special price of $1595
Posted
February 3, 2006
From the January 2006 Papua New
Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority
Newsletter
Kokoda Awaits Michael Milton
The world's fastest man on ice with
one leg and Australian Paralympics
champion Michael Milton is poised to
tackle the rugged 96 kilometre Kokoda Track. Having recently scaled
Mt Kilimanjaro, no challenge seems
impossible for the 33-year-old
Canberra native who became the
world's fastest skier on one leg
when in 2003 he skied at 193 km/hr,
smashing a world record that had
been unchallenged for 16 years. A
year later he broke the record three
times in two days, clocking 198.68
km/hr, agonizingly short of his 200
km/hr goal. Arguably Australia's
most popular paraolympian with 6
gold medals, Milton is set to trek
the Kokoda in June after the 2006
Winter Paralympics Games in Italy.
Tour operator Kokoda Spirit will
host Milton and others as part of a
reward for Australia's Coca Cola
Community Awards.
Visit
http://www.kokodaspirit.com.au/
for more info.
KOKODA SPIRIT SPECIAL TOURS
IN 2006
Kokoda Spirit is working cooperatively with the Returned
& Services League Victoria Branch on a special Kokoda
Trail Adventure Trek in July 2006. For more
information,
read the brochure here.
MISSION
AUSTRALIA’S “KOKODA SPIRIT” CHALLENGE 2006
15TH - 26TH OCTOBER 2006
Mission Australia and Kokoda Spirit
are working cooperatively on a special 2006 Challenge Trek.
With more than 300 services and programs across
metropolitan, rural and regional Australia, in every State
and Territory, Mission Australia aims to empower
disadvantaged and isolated individuals, families and
communities by giving them the support they need to get back
on track, and lead more fulfilling lives. Take up the
Challenge and help Mission Australia!
Read the special brochure here.
KOKODA SPIRIT GIFT CERTIFICATES
Kokoda Spirit now offer gift
certificates on the famous Kokoda Trail. Give the
ultimate gift of a 9 or 7 day gift certificate on the Kokoda
Trail. The gift certificates are valid on any Kokoda
Trail adventure trek. All you have to do is pick the date
and we will do the rest.
Just
contact Kokoda Spiritto find out more about the Kokoda Trail Gift
Certificates.
BE BOLD IN THOUGHTS AND ACTION
Coca-Cola Community Awards: Are
you active in your community? You could be walking the
Kokoda Trail with Michael Milton, Gold Medal winning
Paralympic skier and Kokoda Spirit. Find out more at
the Active Factor
www.activefactor.com.au and
www.michealmilton.com.
KOKODA SPIRIT IS PROUDLY SUPPORTING
The X-Men AFL Foundation
VECCI
E. J. Whitten Foundation
RSL Victoria
Sydney Swans
The Barlow Medal
The 500 Club
NEWS FLASH
Kokoda
Spirit Trek Master Bonny smashed the record for the fastest
crossing of the Kokoda Trail in 22 hours and 45 minutes!!!!!
When you trek the Kokoda Trail with Kokoda Spirit, we
promise not to push you this fast !!!!!
Coming soon, Kokoda Spirit's new book:
Kokoda
In the footsteps of Hero’s.
In the footsteps of my Brothers.
• Stories of our Australian Soldiers and the Fuzzy Wuzzy
Angels who assisted them during World War II.
• Trekking the Kokoda Trail information, pictures, maps,
past trekkers information and advice, personal
experiences.
• Plus a close and personal look at the ancestors of the
Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels their triumphs, challengers and
opportunities.
This book is a must for those that have an interest in
PNG, the Kokoda Trail and our PNG brothers.
Sign up here!and we will notify you when Kokoda
is available.
11-year-old Blake Wetherall will soon be one of the youngest
Australians to walk the famous Kokoda Trail. Watch for
more news about Blake's adventure.
Read the story here.
Legendary PNG raft man and Kokoda trail champion Osborne
Bogajiwai and Australian adventurer Wayne Wetherall from
Kokoda Spirit and their hand picked team of local
guides, set about to explore and open up the mighty
Angabanga River for commercial rafting....MOREPNG Business
Directory Article
Hold on! Yelled Bonny as he skilfully guided our raft down
the torrent, towards the narrow opening in the gorge, there
was no turning back now, no walking out, the river
was our only way out..MORE
PNG Post Courier- Weekend Magazine
January 28, 2005
The paddle boat raft suddenly hit a big hole in the middle
of the rapids as we were curling in on a slide and just as
abruptly, the front of the raft was in the air and seemed to
be headed towards the backend as the brute force of the
river tried to sandwich and swallow us. It is truly
pulsating. This is extreme adventure rafting in Papua New
Guinea.
MORETourism
Promotion Authority of PNG Feature Article