For many of our trekkers, completing the Kokoda trek is a life-changing experience. Not only because of the mental and physical challenge of trekking through the Papua New Guinea jungle for eight days, but also the emotional journey of following in the footsteps of our Australian Diggers.

World War II came incredibly close to Australian shores for the first time in 1942 when the Japanese invaded Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. Most of Australia’s forces were battling in the Middle East, which meant it was then up to a group of young, inexperienced militia soldiers to intercept the Japanese before they took Port Moresby from the north.

These young men and boys, mostly teenagers, were outnumbered, undertrained and ill-equipped. They became fondly known by the PNG nationals as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. Despite victory seeming slim, by January 22nd, 1943, the Diggers successfully warded off the Japanese advance.

Australian Kokoda Tours trekkers discover a new-found appreciation for Kokoda’s significance in Australian history during their Australian Kokoda Tours trek. Below is a Kokoda poem written by Australian Kokoda Tours trekker Murray Pearson:

‘LITTLE STEPS WILL GET YOU THERE’

In Port Moresby, another gathering of strangers

From across Australia, all walks of life

Not too aware of impending challenges (or dangers)

Too soon yet to be missing kids, husband, wife

And so from north or south, off we all set

Pack weight mostly on our porters’ backs

Mad keen fellow trekkers, only just met

To walk in the footsteps of our own ANZACs

Of losses and victories, their spirits might speak

Of terrible times, when the Japanese they did fight

Within that first hour, day, then week

We saw small pieces of their horrific plight

Up Imita Ridge to Ower’s Corner, our last hill

Our slowest leading us up the stairs

‘We did it’ mainly due to our Fuzzy Wuzzys’ skill

And 183,000 little steps that got us there.

-       Murray Pearson, October 2019.

Thank you to Murray for taking the time to write this incredible poem, reflecting on his own Kokoda experience, the history of the Kokoda track, and our ANZACs.

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