2019 has been a great year for our Australian Kokoda Tours team and trekkers. We’ve led some fantastic treks once again this year, including our annual Anzac Day trek, Geelong Kokoda Youth program trek, and the Mental Health Collective trek.

Australian Kokoda Tours also proudly hosted four school treks this year, with St Joseph’s College Geelong, Saint Ignatius College Geelong, the Ela Murray International School in Port Moresby, and Western Heights College. It’s great for us to see today’s young people interested in Australia’s shared history with Papua New Guinea, putting their best foot forward to complete the physical and mental challenge that is the Kokoda track.

Click here to read more about Saint Ignatius College’s Kokoda journey with Australian Kokoda Tours.

Significant events

In February this year, we announced our new pre and post trek accommodation; the Hilton Hotel Papua New Guinea. As of our first 2019 trek, all Australian Kokoda Tours trekkers get to experience 5-star luxury both before and after trekking Kokoda.

AKT Director Mick O’Malley has been involved in several organisations and events throughout 2019. Mick was an Ambassador for Kids Plus of the 2019 Surf Coast Trek, in April. This included providing complimentary training sessions through his Geelong gym O’Malley Fitness for any participants and being involved in the walk.

In May this year, Mick was an Ambassador for the WorkSafe Reflections campaign, raising awareness about how workplace mental and physical safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Also in May, Mick took part in the Kokoda Track Authority Forum to discuss with other tour operators improving the livelihoods of the local Kokoda community, and the conditions of the track.

In October, Mick, the AKT team and Geelong Kokoda Youth Program trekkers donated 200 Moon Sick Care Bags to women and girls in Papua New Guinea. These menstruation care bags are hand made by an Australian organisation employing Aboriginal women called Empowering Women Empowering Communities (EWEC).

In November, Mick flew to Sydney for a special Kokoda veterans’ dinner in support of the Kokoda Track Foundation. Mick caught up with some of the last surviving veterans of the 39th battalion.

Trekking for charity

Australian Kokoda Tours is proud to support trekkers who take on Kokoda for a cause. Many of our 2019 trekkers raised funds an awareness for charities, which is great to see. One charity in particular that three of our May 2019 trekkers supported was LIVIN.

16-year-old Luke Mawson, his Dad Dave, and Mark Otte, took on Kokoda to raise funds and awareness for the youth mental health charity. Together they raised over $16,000 for LIVIN, for mental health awareness and education.

If you are interested in trekking for a cause, please let us know. We’d love to feature you on our blog and social media channels.

2020 news

Earlier this month, Mick was announced as the president for 2020 of the Kokoda Tour Operators Association (KTOA). KTOA is an organisation governing just under 70% of all Kokoda tour operators to ensure that members are contributing positively and effectively to the local communities who live on the track. Mick was nominated by fellow tour operators and is looking forward to taking on this role next year.

Tour operators, Kokoda Tour Operators Association.

Our 2019 trekking season has been one of our best years to date! Thank you to everyone who trekked with us this year. Contact us if you’re interested in trekking with us next year.

We’re looking forward to kicking off 2022’s trekking season! Click here to learn more.

Australian Kokoda Tours reflects on 2019