Scotch College

Adventure on the Kokoda Trail

Over the September break five Scotch students took on the challenge of the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. After a breathtaking landing on a 100-metre airstrip cut into a mountainside, we followed in the footsteps of our forefathers through the picturesque mountains that had been the scene of intense fighting in World War II. Each day we carried our packs through the steamy, muddy conditions, and we did our best to reach that night’s campsite before the daily torrential tropical downpours began. After several days of determined walking up steep inclines and slipping and sliding down muddy slopes we reached Isurava. This was the site of one of the main battles on the track that took place in 1942, as the Japanese attempted to take Port Moresby and control the region.

The memorial at Isurava is a spiritual place where the Australian troops held a numerically far superior force at bay for four days as part of a fighting withdrawal.

To stand at this place and take in the soaring tree-covered mountains surrounding us and realise so many Australians fought against great odds, many giving their lives in terrible circumstances, was an extremely moving experience. A day or so later we walked into the village of Kokoda with a great sense of achievement, and respect for the job done by the soldiers before us.

After our walk we had the incredible opportunity of staying with a local family in a village. The people opened their hearts and accepted each student, even though we were strangers with white skin.

After three days it was difficult and sad to leave. After an unforgettable welcome in the village of Assisi, we became the first visitors to float down the Kumusi river on tyre tubes – a spectacular experience.

We were then privileged to be the guests of the Governor of New Ireland Mr Ian Ling-Stuckey on his island. The next day we collected our bicycles, in various states of repair, and began our five-day ride through the coastal villages to Namatanai. This tough challenge on rough roads and in very hot conditions was followed by a boat ride in to Simpson Harbour at Rabaul, the main Japanese sea base of the region during World War II. As we sailed past the still active volcano that evening, none of us will forget the eruption with lava and powerful rumbling we witnessed.

This trip was the toughest experience of our lives, and also the most rewarding one. The things that we experienced will never leave us, and we recommend this trip to anyone who gets the opportunity.

James Lamont and David Tolson

PNG welcome	Chris Kohler on the Kokoda	David Tolson on the Kokoda