Sequence of Events

3 January 1942 Port Moresby is garrisoned by raw Militia troops of the 30th Infantry Brigade. Troops from Major General Tomitaro Horii’s Nankai Shitai (South Seas Detached Force) embarked on Operation North Australia and landed on Rabaul on 23 January 1942. 8 March 1942 The Nankai Shitai landed at Lae and […]

Kokoda Track History

Courage Endurance Sacrifice Mateship Officers of the 2/14th Battalion on the Kokoda Track (image www.awm.gov.au) When Japan entered the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbour on December 7 1941, John Curtin, the Australian Prime Minister, urgently recalled the 6th and 7th Divisions of the AIF from the Middle East. […]

The Lost Battlefield at Eora Creek along the Kokoda Track

For many years now, our  trekking Teams have visited the Japanese defensive positions  at Eora Creek, including a  Japanese mountain gun position. This area is often referred to as the Japanese Forest Fort. Recently, the local landowners announced the existance of more defensive positions a very short distance further up […]

Back Track Trek Leaders notes regarding Health on the Kokoda Track

Though we hear reports of other Kokoda groups experiencing long bouts of gastro problems during their trek, Back Track has never had any problems with group gastro problems. Occassionally, rarely, we may have a trekker who experiences a day or two with a very ‘touchy’ stomach but with the right […]

Mental Preparation for the Kokoda Track

Travelling in a remote, underdeveloped country like Papua New Guinea requires patience, flexibility and a positive attitude. The local people have a more relaxed, easy-going attitude to life than most Westerners. You may have to wait longer for service in a shop, hotel or restaurant than you would expect to […]

Some general health tips while travelling, anywhere

Take a medical kit Practice safe sex Be careful what you eat and drink – avoid uncooked foods and salads, peel your own fruit, be suspicious of buffet style meals, if the water in the country is unsafe to consume, so is the ice in your drink. Make sure your […]

Medical Advice by Dr Deb

Dr Deborah “Deb” Mills Back Track Adventures is taking every precaution on your behalf to ensure a safe and exciting experience but there are some things that only you can do. Once you are well prepared, you can relax and have a good time. Personal preparation involves: Making an appointment immediately with your Doctor […]

The Koiaria People

The Koiari people inhabit the area between the foothills of the Owen Stanley Ranges east of Port Moresby, and Kokoda on the northern side of the range. To the west, their territory extends into the valleys of the Agura and Dala rivers, both tributaries of the upper Canapé. To the east, their territorial border […]

The Orokaiva People

As it is our policy to hire crew equally from villages located all along the Track, it is possible that some of your trekking crew may be Orokaiva people.  They mainly live in areas between Kokoda and the beach heads at Buna and Gona where the Japanese forces landed and from where they launched […]

PNG at a glance

Full country name: The Independent State of Papua New Guinea Area: 462,840 sq km Population: 5.4 million (annual growth rate: 2.3%) Capital: Port Moresby (pop 259,000) People: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian. Major languages: Melanesian Pidgin; English spoken by 1%–2%; 715 indigenous languages Religions: Roman Catholic (22%); Lutheran (16%); other […]

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