Oro · Papua New Guinea

Kokoda Track

The World War II walking track that crosses the Owen Stanley Range between Owers' Corner and Kokoda, with memorials, villages and several days of forest.

Papua Region

In the photo: Kokoda Track scenery

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Kokoda Track is a walking route that crosses the Owen Stanley Range, from Central Province to Oro Province. It begins in the south at Owers' Corner, near Port Moresby, and ends in the north at Kokoda station, on a plateau at the foot of the mountains. It is walked only on foot: there is no road linking the two ends.

In 1942, Australian and Papuan troops faced the Japanese advance toward Port Moresby there. Battles at Isurava, Brigade Hill and other points along the route made the track a place of remembrance for Australians and Papuans. At Kokoda station, memorials and a small museum tell the story of the campaign; at Isurava, four granite pillars mark the battlefield.

The full crossing takes several days, with steep climbs and descents, rivers to ford, muddy sections in the rainy season and overnight stops in camps and villages along the way. The porters and guides from the track villages are part of the journey.

Every walker needs permission from the Kokoda Track Authority, and most go with licensed operators who provide guides, porters, food and transport at both ends.

This destination brings together 1 city: Kokoda.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Kokoda Track is

Boundaries: Papua New Guinea National Statistics Office / OCHA ROAP / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Kokoda Track

✈ Pista de Kokoda (KKD) · 1 km to Kokoda

✈ Aeroporto de Girua (Popondetta) (PNP), in Popondetta · 91 km to Kokoda

From the south, by road from Port Moresby to Owers' Corner. From the north, by light aircraft to Kokoda airstrip, or by plane to Popondetta and then by road to Kokoda. Licensed operators organize transport at both ends.

Oro · Kokoda Track

Kokoda

Kokoda is the government station, founded in 1904, on a plateau at the foot of the Owen Stanley Range in Oro Province, and is the northern terminus of the Kokoda Track. In the area of the old parade ground are the memorial with four stone markers and the Herbert Kienzle museum, about the 1942 campaign. To the south, the track climbs to Isurava, where a granite memorial marks the battlefield.

The local experience

Things to do in Kokoda Track

Kokoda · Oro · War memorial and museum

Kokoda Memorial and Museum

Four stone markers with plaques dedicated to the soldiers, the Papuan carriers and to all who fought on the Kokoda Track, next to the Herbert Kienzle Museum, opened in 1995.

Kokoda · Oro · War memorial

Isurava Memorial

A memorial of four granite pillars on the Isurava battlefield, on the Kokoda Track, opened in 2002, with views over the Eora Creek valley.

Kokoda · Oro · Trail

Kokoda Track

A multi-day walking route across the Owen Stanley Range, between Kokoda and Owers' Corner, with mountain forest, rivers, villages and 1942 battle sites.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

The crossing season generally runs from April to November, the drier months. Even then it rains frequently in the mountains, and nights at the highest points are cold. From December to March, rain makes the track muddier and rivers fuller.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

The full crossing between Owers' Corner and Kokoda generally takes six to ten days, depending on the itinerary and each person’s fitness. Add a day in Port Moresby before and another after. Those not doing the full crossing can visit Kokoda and Isurava, or Owers' Corner, on shorter excursions.

Which city to stay in

At Kokoda station there are simple lodgings and community guesthouses. Along the track, overnight stays are in camps and villages, using the infrastructure carried by the operator. Before and after the trek, walkers usually sleep in Port Moresby.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Kokoda Track

How many days does the Kokoda Track take?

Typically six to ten days for the full crossing between Owers' Corner and Kokoda, depending on the itinerary, the group's pace and the weather. There are also shorter walks starting from either end.

Do you need a guide to do the Kokoda Track?

Every walker needs permission from the Kokoda Track Authority, and operators that lead groups must hold a licence. Most travelers go with a licensed operator, with guides and porters from the track villages.

Is the Kokoda Track difficult?

It is a demanding crossing, with long climbs and descents through montane forest, river crossings and mud in the rainy season. Operators require physical fitness and recommend training with the footwear you will use on the trek.

What is the best time to do the Kokoda Track?

From April to November, the drier months. Even so, it rains frequently in the mountains and nights on the high sections are cold.

Can you visit Kokoda without doing the crossing?

Yes. The memorials and the museum at Kokoda station can be visited by flying in or traveling by road from Popondetta, and the walk to Isurava can be done as shorter guided hikes.

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Kokoda Track

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.