Adventure Kokoda Blog
Protecting our heritage
Kokoda is much more than a trek. It is almost a spiritual journey for those who wish to connect to the historical significance of the Kokoda campaign. It is also an empathetic bridge for Australians and Papua New Guineans to better understand each other.
Our Charity
Our charitable work includes the provision of health support, school supplies, scholarships, and emergency medical assistance to villagers across the Kokoda Trail.
Our Media
National features stories of our treks on all major television networks, newspapers, and magazines.
Our Reviews
Trekker feedback, Trip Advisor reviews, and personal reflections.
Our Treks
Everything you need to know about our treks, our trekkers, training tips, gear selection, and some handy hints.
Our Viewpoint
Charlie has been the leading advocate for the protection of our Kokoda heritage, and the welfare of villagers across the Trail, for 30 years.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Interesting articles relating to our close association with PNG, and our shared wartime heritage.
Latest News
A mother’s perspective of our 2018 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge . . .
A mother’s perspective of our 2018 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge . . .
CHAPTER 26: Response to the PNG National Military Heritage Plan for the Kokoda Trail
The selection process that led to American anthropologist without any military history credentials as Australia’s National Military Heritage Advisor in PNG by the Australian High Commission could best be described as dodgy.
CHAPTER 25: Response to the 2018 KTA Review by Tourism Recreation Conservation Consultants
Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill ordered a review of the KTA in 2018 after he was advised of its failures since it was taken over by Australian environment officials in 2009.
Kokoda: A Trail of Woe
My greatest frustration over the past 27 years has been trying to explain the significance of the pilgrimage to those who have never trekked with a group led by professional military historians – particularly Australian and PNG officials charged with managing Kokoda tourism.
I therefore invited an author, Rashmii Amoah Bell, to join us for a trek to interpret the experience through the eyes of a PNG woman.
Rahsmii was given free reign to engage with guides, carriers, campsite owners, village womens groups, and other trekkers.
Her articles, titled ‘Kokoda: A Trail of Woe’ were published in Keith Jackson’s PNG Attitude Blog and are republished below.
Charlie Lynn
‘Yes Minister’ alive on Kokoda
The Review of the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) ordered by PNG Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, is a disappointing academic desk-top study which recommends more of the same under a different name.
Prime Minister O’Neill ordered the review after the collapse of the management system put in place by the Australian Government in 2009.
Despite spending more than $60 million since then Kokoda trekker numbers have declined by 43 per cent; there is not a single management protocol in place; not one of the five key strategies or 33 objectives established by Australian managers for the period 2012-2015 was achieved; and there is still no master plan to protect and interpret our shared wartime history of the Kokoda campaign.
Call for investigation into the recruitment process for the engagement of a ‘National Military Heritage Advisor’ in PNG
The DFAT recruiting process, which led to the employment of an American anthropologist without any military heritage credentials, as Australia’s ‘National Military Heritage Advisor’ on a generous 6-figure salry raises serious questions regarding proper governance.