Tackling the Kokoda Track is on many people’s bucket list, but while many wish, few take on the challenge and see their dreams to fruition. Tessa Murdoch had that dream when she was 16, and gathered her family and friends to join her in making her dream a reality. Together with her sister Sophie, brother Rohan, dad David, and friends Loz, Tim, Luke, Jayson and Matt, the group came together and discovered so much more than they expected.
This group started their journey in the months before their trek commenced, planning weekend walks, discussing travel plans, encouraging and reassuring each other, as they prepared for the unknown adventure that lay ahead. And what an adventure it was. From the first cans of SP lager around the pool at the Holiday Inn, it was a fun packed expedition that was full of laughs and memorable moments that come from travelling with family and friends in a remote environment.
An earthquake and a large tree across the road didn’t delay us from reaching Kokoda in good time before meeting our local guide team and setting off on our adventure. While the first hill up to Deniki is always a challenge, the beautiful view back over the Yodda Valley set the scene for the ever changing pristine environment that lay ahead. The group soon understood that there is no better office to work in than the Kokoda Track.
A highlight of any Kokoda expedition is to learn more of the history of the Kokoda Campaign and the stories of the unknown soldiers who fought so gallantly for our freedom. The moving services at Isurava and Brigade Hill etched the untold stories to our memory as we learnt of the heroic acts that paved the way for life as we know it today. While tears were shed, each of us gained a greater understanding of the value of family and friends, not only during war, but during any hardship we face in life. What better way to share a moment together.
This group started their journey in the months before their trek commenced, planning weekend walks, discussing travel plans, encouraging and reassuring each other, as they prepared for the unknown adventure that lay ahead. And what an adventure it was. From the first cans of SP lager around the pool at the Holiday Inn, it was a fun packed expedition that was full of laughs and memorable moments that come from travelling with family and friends in a remote environment.
An earthquake and a large tree across the road didn’t delay us from reaching Kokoda in good time before meeting our local guide team and setting off on our adventure. While the first hill up to Deniki is always a challenge, the beautiful view back over the Yodda Valley set the scene for the ever changing pristine environment that lay ahead. The group soon understood that there is no better office to work in than the Kokoda Track.
A highlight of any Kokoda expedition is to learn more of the history of the Kokoda Campaign and the stories of the unknown soldiers who fought so gallantly for our freedom. The moving services at Isurava and Brigade Hill etched the untold stories to our memory as we learnt of the heroic acts that paved the way for life as we know it today. While tears were shed, each of us gained a greater understanding of the value of family and friends, not only during war, but during any hardship we face in life. What better way to share a moment together.
A visit to the newly opened Efogi Museum and other war sites allowed the group to gain a greater understanding of the history of Kokoda as we walked across the track. Kokoda is not only an important part of Australian history, but it also holds so much more that anyone can imagine. The groups interaction with the local guides, and learning of their customs and traditions gave a greater insight into life as it now is for the Koiari people who continue to live within the remote region.
Each day on the track brought an early morning lion song, ups, downs, slips, trips, laughs and fun filled days of trekking through some of the most beautiful pristine forest that you can see. The amazing meals prepared by our masterchef and eaten at a range of table heights were a treat, topped up with local fruits and vegetables and the favourite condiment of salt. You can never get enough of it! Strawberries however were in short supply.
Having representatives from the Australian frisbee team within the group gave great excitement to the children in the villages as they learnt the skills from the masters. Handstands, body tackles, drone flights and a touring tennis player, all special moments that brought interaction and laughter with the locals, as we learnt that Kokoda is more than just part of our military history. The groups generosity in delivering supplies of books, pencils and teaching aids to the school at Kagi and Efogi will always be remembered and very much appreciated by the newly formed friends.
The beer money from fall fines grew slowly, as the sure footed group became more comfortable with the walking environment. The slips and trips seemed to come more frequently from the Guide team rather than our group, but the red wine at the end was worth the reward for every fall that occurred, even if a watch was lost in the process.
Crossing the line at Owers Corner saw a wet end to our trek allowing the group to experience all that Kokoda has to offer, although we were all glad the wet conditions were at the end of the trek rather than the start. As we celebrated with a well earned SP, and visited Bomana cemetery, we remembered the hardship that the soldiers endured and the sacrifices they made with their family and friends so we could enjoy our freedom. Let us never forget that they gave their tomorrow so that we could have our today.
Everyone takes something away from their Kokoda experience. Sharing it with family and friends makes the adventure all the more worthwhile, and forever strengthens what we value in those closest to us. Rarely in our hectic lives do we have the opportunity to spend quality time together. The Kokoda Track is the perfect place to reconnect as the group returned to the joys of conversation that embellish the true spirit of why our family and friends are so important.
Good job everyone. I’m so proud of you.
Robyn Marklew
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
Each day on the track brought an early morning lion song, ups, downs, slips, trips, laughs and fun filled days of trekking through some of the most beautiful pristine forest that you can see. The amazing meals prepared by our masterchef and eaten at a range of table heights were a treat, topped up with local fruits and vegetables and the favourite condiment of salt. You can never get enough of it! Strawberries however were in short supply.
Having representatives from the Australian frisbee team within the group gave great excitement to the children in the villages as they learnt the skills from the masters. Handstands, body tackles, drone flights and a touring tennis player, all special moments that brought interaction and laughter with the locals, as we learnt that Kokoda is more than just part of our military history. The groups generosity in delivering supplies of books, pencils and teaching aids to the school at Kagi and Efogi will always be remembered and very much appreciated by the newly formed friends.
The beer money from fall fines grew slowly, as the sure footed group became more comfortable with the walking environment. The slips and trips seemed to come more frequently from the Guide team rather than our group, but the red wine at the end was worth the reward for every fall that occurred, even if a watch was lost in the process.
Crossing the line at Owers Corner saw a wet end to our trek allowing the group to experience all that Kokoda has to offer, although we were all glad the wet conditions were at the end of the trek rather than the start. As we celebrated with a well earned SP, and visited Bomana cemetery, we remembered the hardship that the soldiers endured and the sacrifices they made with their family and friends so we could enjoy our freedom. Let us never forget that they gave their tomorrow so that we could have our today.
Everyone takes something away from their Kokoda experience. Sharing it with family and friends makes the adventure all the more worthwhile, and forever strengthens what we value in those closest to us. Rarely in our hectic lives do we have the opportunity to spend quality time together. The Kokoda Track is the perfect place to reconnect as the group returned to the joys of conversation that embellish the true spirit of why our family and friends are so important.
Good job everyone. I’m so proud of you.
Robyn Marklew
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]