Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea), Papua New Guinea. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Papua New Guinea
- Biome
- Tropical rainforest (100–2,200 m)
- Best season
- April – November
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Tropical rainforest (100–2,200 m)
- Best season: April – November
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)
Topic summary
A 96-km 8-10 day trek across the Owen Stanley Range on the WWII Kokoda campaign trail.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: April – November
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Tropical rainforest (100–2,200 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea) trip tools
How to get there
Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea) is in Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea. Its center point is -9.1000, 147.7000. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)Amazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)
Planning to fish Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Papua New Guinea are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)?
- A Papua New Guinea fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Papua New Guinea fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Papua New Guinea yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)
Thinking about hunting Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Papua New Guinea are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)?
- Confirm the land around Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Papua New Guinea?
- A Papua New Guinea hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Papua New Guinea yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Kokoda Track: geographic context
The Kokoda Track is a destination in Papua New Guinea, an island country in the southwestern Pacific, north of Australia. Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of New Guinea and includes hundreds of offshore islands. It belongs to Melanesia within the wider region of Oceania; Oceania is not the country name. Port Moresby is the national capital. The country's highly mountainous geography is important context for outdoor travel, but national geography alone does not establish the track's terrain, length, or difficulty. A practical walking plan needs verified trailhead locations, route details, and local transport arrangements. Treat those as essential planning tasks rather than assuming that a map of the country provides enough information to organize access.
Communities and historical context
Papua New Guinea has a predominantly rural population and extraordinary linguistic diversity, with 840 known spoken languages. English and Tok Pisin serve as common languages, while many cultural and linguistic groups are small. Traditional communities and lifestyles have explicit constitutional protection. For an outdoor visitor, that national context calls for attention to local expectations rather than assumptions that customs are uniform across the country. Ask locally about appropriate conduct, photography, and interaction with residents before setting out. Papua New Guinea also experienced fierce fighting during the New Guinea campaign of World War II. That provides broad historical context, but a responsible track itinerary should establish the identity and significance of individual historical places before presenting them as stops.
Build a verified walking plan
Planning for the Kokoda Track should start with destination-specific information, not a general description of Papua New Guinea. The country includes mountainous landscapes and highland rainforests, making weather protection, suitable footwear, and careful equipment choices sensible considerations for outdoor travel. Those broad conditions do not establish a recommended walking season or the conditions on any particular section. Before committing to a departure, confirm the intended route, access arrangements, expected walking demands, water arrangements, and emergency communication options with knowledgeable local contacts. Confirm any permission requirements with the managing agency. Keep transport and walking plans flexible until those details are settled. No particular trailhead, route variant, transfer duration, or managing organization is identified here, so this profile should not serve as a standalone trail itinerary.
Sample itineraries
- Port Moresby planning day · 1 day
Use a day in Papua New Guinea’s capital to confirm Kokoda Track access, transport, current conditions and managing-agency requirements before committing to a trekking schedule. This is a preparation outline, not a verified trail itinerary.
- Pre-trek preparation day · 1 day
Set aside a day to check equipment, review mountain fitness and arrange local advice about language and community expectations. Confirm the walking route and realistic daily stages locally; no trail stages or total trekking duration are established here.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm local seasonal timing
A spring label does not establish Kokoda Track conditions. Papua New Guinea includes mountainous country and highland rainforest; seek current local weather and trail advice before choosing departure timing.
Summer
Confirm local seasonal timing
No track-specific summer pattern is established here. Prepare for mountain and rainforest travel, but confirm expected rainfall, temperatures and walking conditions locally.
Fall
Confirm local seasonal timing
Do not assume fall means drier or easier walking. Confirm local conditions and route suitability before fixing a trekking schedule.
Winter
Confirm local seasonal timing
No track-specific winter pattern is established here. Mountain conditions warrant weather protection, but cold, rainfall and trail conditions need local confirmation.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm local seasonal timing | A spring label does not establish Kokoda Track conditions. Papua New Guinea includes mountainous country and highland rainforest; seek current local weather and trail advice before choosing departure timing. |
| Summer | Confirm local seasonal timing | No track-specific summer pattern is established here. Prepare for mountain and rainforest travel, but confirm expected rainfall, temperatures and walking conditions locally. |
| Fall | Confirm local seasonal timing | Do not assume fall means drier or easier walking. Confirm local conditions and route suitability before fixing a trekking schedule. |
| Winter | Confirm local seasonal timing | No track-specific winter pattern is established here. Mountain conditions warrant weather protection, but cold, rainfall and trail conditions need local confirmation. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current Kokoda Track permit requirements with the managing agency before arranging travel.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Mountainous terrain can make walking physically demanding. Confirm the route’s difficulty and assess fitness before departure.
- Papua New Guinea’s highland rainforest setting warrants protection against wet weather; confirm trail-specific conditions locally.
- Language differences can complicate arrangements in a country with extensive linguistic diversity. Confirm that essential instructions and travel plans are understood.
What to pack for Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea)
- Weather-protective outer layer
- Walking footwear suited to mountain terrain
- Spare clothing protected from moisture
- Water containers
- Personal first-aid supplies
- Written travel arrangements and essential contacts
- Locally verified route information
- Current weather advice
- Confirmed access and transport details
Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea) FAQ
- How long does the Kokoda Track take?
- A reliable trekking duration is not established here. Confirm the route, daily stages and total time with a knowledgeable local operator before booking onward travel.
- Where does the trek start and finish?
- Track access points and transport connections are not established here. Port Moresby is Papua New Guinea’s capital, but onward access requires separate confirmation.
- What landscape should trip preparation account for?
- Papua New Guinea is highly mountainous and includes highland rainforest. These are useful preparation cues, not a verified description of every Kokoda Track stage.
- What languages are useful?
- English and Tok Pisin serve as common languages in Papua New Guinea. The country has 840 known spoken languages, so confirm communication arrangements with local hosts and trip providers.
- How should visitors approach local communities?
- Papua New Guinea has diverse cultural practices and many traditional rural communities. Ask local hosts about expectations rather than assuming customs are the same throughout the country.
- What historical context is available?
- Papua New Guinea saw fierce fighting during the New Guinea campaign of World War II. Specific Kokoda Track historical sites and stops need separate confirmation before building a history-focused itinerary.