Melbourne Area Kokoda Training Grounds

Some ideas for you about training yourself into shape!

1. 1000 steps. This climb (over about 850 steps) is a very popular training track located in the Dandenong Ranges National Park near Upper Ferntree Gully. Melways map reference 74 H4. This track has also been dedicated to the Kokoda Track and thus has a number of brass plaques along the way, detailing events. This is also a good track to start carrying a pack on. A return trip up and down the stairs, or down the dirt road, should take less than 1/2 and hour. A build up to a sequence of 3 or 4 or circuits is recommended, with a steady increase in pack weight to 15kg. Even though you won't carry this much on the track, if you have a porter, the extra muscle toning makes the real track much easier.

2. Sassafras and Olinda. Once the muscles for climbing up and down are being mastered, then some distance walking can be included. It is a very pleasant walk up the 1000 steps and then continuing along One Tree Hill Road into Sassafras (Melways 66 F9) for coffee and/or a bit further into Olinda (Melways 66 J7) for breakfast. Return by the reverse route.

3. Mount Evelyn. Another pleasant walk with more ups and downs and more distance, is to again climb the 1000 steps and follow the bush tracks through the Dandenong's to Mt Evelyn Reserve (Melways 120 B3). Take a map, so you don't get lost, (or follow the Oxfam map for this stage of their 100 km walk). The distance is about 22km and it will take about 5 to 6 hours. So you need to have a car at your destination, rather than try and walk home again.

4. Mount Donna Buang. Now that your muscles are taking all this training in you stride, you should try, at least once, Mount Donna Buang (1250m). Leave from Warburton Melways 289 K4. You can park at the bottom of Martyr Road and head north. A 'great' up hill to start. The start of the track is at the end of the climb up the road; don't follow the road around to the right. The first half of the climb is through bush steady and steep, slippery if wet, similar to the conditions on the Kokoda Track. The second half of the climb is over much flatter countryside. There are no facilities at the top, so bring your food and coffee. Don't forget, then can be snow at the top in winter, so be prepared, as necessary. About 13km round trip, say 3 1/2 to 4 hours. A good place to learn to use your sticks.

5. Mt. St Leonard Track. Another good mountain track. A bit longer, 22km round trip. Leave from Donnelly's Weir, at Healesville, Melways 270 G9. A long steady walk up and down to the transmission tower at the top. The walking track does become separate from the road as you climb up.

6. Condons Track. Another good mountain track. A bit shorter and steeper, 14km round trip. Also leaves from Donnelly’s Weir, at Healesville, but to the right after fording the creek. Melways 270 G 9. A long steady climb to the top. (You can walk around and back down the Mt. St Leonard track if you are really looking for a major workout.

7. Glasgow Road. For a sharp, short, steep workout, the Glasgow Road track in the Dandenong Ranges National Park is recommended. Melways 66 C1. If you can master this track easily, then you should be prepared for all the steep inclines on the Kokoda Track. It is slippery if wet, so you may wish to practice using your sticks. As a reward, take the Ridge Road around to Kalorama for a coffee before returning. Remember going down is often harder than going up. Do a second circuit, if you want a greater workout.

8. Waverley Road Hill, Jell's Park. For a midweek workout, under street lights, try half a dozen circuits up and down the Waverley Road Hill. Melways 71 J6. Warm up by walking through the park for a couple of km and up the track at the side of Caulfield Grammar School campus to Sunnybrook Drive.

On all walks, take water and energy bars. You won't know you are dehydrated until it is too late. So drink before you start and keep drinking as you go. A little electrolyte, such as Powerade, is a useful additive to your water. Increase to load in your pack to tone your muscles and carry sun protection/wet weather gear as appropriate.

Look after your feet. Don't get cold.

If you would like more assistance in preparing for your Kokoda Track adventure call Kokoda Spirit and we would be very pleased to assist you in your preparations.

Top