Kokoda 2026
Saturday 16 May - Tuesday 26 May 2026
Take on the Kokoda Trail.
Change lives through disability support.
Hartley is again organising a guided Kokoda Trail experience that will challenge you physically and mentally while raising vital funds to support people with disability in Canberra and the surrounding region.
The Kokoda Trail is one of the world’s most demanding endurance challenges. By taking it on with Hartley, your effort directly supports services that enable people with disability to live their best life.
Discover your strengths and what you can achieve as you take on Kokoda and support people with disability.
The Kokoda Trail is a demanding multi-day trek through the steep, jungle-clad mountains of Papua New Guinea. Once the scene of fierce fighting between Australian and Japanese forces during World War II, the trail today stands as a powerful symbol of courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice. Its profound history, rich local culture, and breathtaking terrain have made Kokoda a pilgrimage for Australians seeking meaning as much as challenge.
This is not simply a trek—it is an experience that will test you physically, challenge you mentally, and leave a lasting impression. You should expect hot, humid, and remote conditions, long days on uneven terrain, and moments that require determination and resilience. Not only will you learn the history of the trail, but you are thrust into the depths of a unique cultural experience.
Interested? We'd love to share this experience with you! All we require is a good level of physical fitness (you do not have to be an athlete), but this adventure is for those who can sustain consecutive days of walking and have the mindset to embrace that some discomfort is an expected part of this journey. While prior trekking or endurance training is recommended, it's not mandatory.
Those who arrive prepared will discover far more than a trail—they will learn about themselves, Australia’s military history, and the true value of perseverance.
How many days do I need to allow for this trek?
| 16 May Day 1 |
Travel to Port Moresby |
| 17 - 24 May Day 2 - 9 |
Trek the Kokoda Trail |
| 25 May Day 10 |
Arrive back to Port Moresby |
| 26 May Day 11 |
Travel back to Australia |
Download a full itinerary here
| Item | Cost |
| Airfares | Allow $1,200 - $1,600 |
| Visa to PNG | $50 USD (approx $80 AUD) |
| Travel insurance | $120 - $250 depending on policy |
| Cost of trek | $4,200 |
| Single Supplement for accommodation in Port Moresby | $200 |
| Meals at the hotel in Port Moresby | Allow for 2 lunches and 2 dinners |
| Personal Porter | $750.00 |
| Funraising for Hartley | $5,000 |
Where can I find more detailed information?
How do I book?
Click here to book directly with World Wide Adventures.
How do I fundraise?
How do I support someone who is trekking?
Kokoda Itinerary
ViewYour trek will follow the same track our soldiers fought on 85-years ago. You will be in similar conditions, over the exact same mountains, and this is what makes this trek so unique. It's a pilgrimage that brings those who complete it, the greatest levels of respect from family and peers at home.
The Hartley Lifecare trek commences on Saturday 16 May 2026.
Challenge yourself and join us as you support AND raise money for Hartley Lifecare.
Kokoda is tough.Our trekkers are pushing themselves to the limit. Please sponsor them and help transform their challenge into meaningful support for people with disability.
Your support turns their effort into real impact for people with disability supported by Hartley.
The Kokoda Trail is achievable for well-prepared individuals, but it demands respect, preparation, and resilience. With appropriate training and mindset, it is one of the most rewarding trekking experiences in the world.
Overall fitness level
The Kokoda Trail is a physically demanding expedition trek. It is suitable for individuals who:
- Are in good general health
- Maintain regular physical activity
- Can sustain long days of physical exertion over consecutive days
This is not a sightseeing walk. The terrain, climate, and remoteness require genuine preparation.
Participants must be capable of:
- Walking 5–8 hours per day
- Carrying a day pack (approx. 5–7 kg)
- Completing multiple consecutive days of trekking without full recovery days
Daily distances vary, but time on feet and the daily steep elevation gains and losses are the primary challenge.
Terrain and elevation
Trekkers should be prepared for:
- Steep ascents and descents (often continuous)
- Uneven, muddy, and at times, slippery surfaces
- River crossings, exposed ridgelines, and narrow jungle tracks
- Descents that place sustained load on knees and joints
Good leg strength, balance, and joint resilience is essential.
Climate and environmental stress
Conditions on the Kokoda Trail include:
- High humidity
- Temperatures typically range between 35°C at the start and end of the trail, where the elevation is lowest, and towards 25°C on the middle days.
- Frequent rain and wet underfoot conditions
Participants must be able to perform physically in hot, wet, and uncomfortable environments.
Strength, endurance, and conditioning
Prior to departure, participants should be training for:
- Cardiovascular endurance (hiking, stair climbing, cycling, loaded walking)
- Lower-body strength (quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves)
- Core stability (for balance on uneven ground)
- Downhill tolerance (often overlooked but critical)
A structured training pattern for 12–16 weeks leading into the trek is strongly advised.
Mental resilience
This is equally as important as physical fitness. You should:
- Have the ability to remain positive during discomfort
- Have a willingness to adapt to weather, terrain, and fatigue
- Have the capacity to function without modern comforts
The Kokoda Trail is as much a mental challenge as a physical one.
Medical considerations
Participants should be prepared to have a physician complete a medical evaluation, which will be provided to you upon booking, and will ask a physician to:
- Disclose any pre-existing medical conditions (injury, illness, chronic conditions like hypertension, cardiac risk factors, allergies etc).
- They will assess your suitability
- They will discuss with you your ability to manage minor injuries, blisters, and fatigue
A physician's medical clearance is mandatory for World Wide Adventures. This is for your benefit and protection.
12-week Kokoda preparation checklist
Weeks 1–4: Base Conditioning
- Walk 3–4x per week (45–75 mins)
- Introduce hills or stairs
- Begin light strength work (legs + core)
- Start walking with a light pack
Weeks 5–8: Strength & Endurance
- Increase walking time and elevation
- Add stair repeats or hill climbs weekly
- Strength train 2x per week (quads, glutes, calves, core)
- Begin loaded pack walking
Weeks 9–10: Trek Simulation
- Longer hikes (3–5 hours)
- Walk on uneven or muddy ground where possible
- Train in warmer conditions if available
- Practice hydration and fueling
Weeks 11–12: Final Preparation
- Back-to-back walking days
- Maintain pack weight
- Focus on recovery, stretching, and sleep
- Finalise footwear, socks, blister management
Ongoing (All Weeks)
- Stretch regularly
- Stay hydrated
- Break your hiking boots in early
- Develop mental resilience and patience
