OUR TEAM

MICK O’MALLEY

Owner, Operator & Trek Leader

Mick has been leading expeditions across Kokoda since 2006 and is a keen student of the Kokoda campaign. Mick is a former 2 times Victorian, 3 times Australian and Commonwealth Super Featherweight Boxing Champion.

Mick is a qualified Fitness instructor holding an Advanced Diploma in Fitness and has trained over 400 clients to successfully complete Kokoda.

Mick has competed half marathons, full marathons and ultra marathons. He has extensively travelled having trekked in the Middle East, Europe, Pacific, Africa and as of November 2023, has trekked Kokoda 84 times.

Mick’s passion for Kokoda is evident by the testimonials given and also being elected the inaugural secretary of the Kokoda Tours Operator’s Association to which he is now been the president for the past 5 years. Mick is extremely keen to share his passion and knowledge for the people, culture and the amazing story of Kokoda.

IAN SMITH

Trek Leader

Ian first walked the Kokoda Track in 2014 with Australian Kokoda Tours.

His motivation to walk the Track was driven by a desire to honour his father who served his country for 18 months, in a support role for the RAAF, at Port Moresby and Milne Bay.

Ian was so moved by Kokoda, he returned a year later with his brother and two nephews with the objective of experiencing the spirituality of the venture with his close family. Ian is both humbled and thrilled to be provided the opportunity to lead treks with Australian Kokoda Tours.  

Ian has an enthusiasm for the history of the campaign and displays a genuine desire to ensure that his trekker’s experiences on their trek are enhanced by his knowledge of the history of the campaign, his comprehension of the terrain and its challenges and his relationships with our porters and the local villagers.

Ian deeply recognises the rewarding experience that a well led and organised trek will deliver to those trekkers who have made the life changing decision to undertake this journey. 

CARL PEERS

Trek Leader

Carl is a recently retired Inspector with the Victorian Police Force. After 40 years in the Force he has a wealth of knowledge in health and safety and extensive experience in team leadership and risk management.

With a passion for the outdoors, Carl first trekked Kokoda in 2000 and he has since lead a number of public and youth treks. 

He is passionate about Papua New Guinea, the Kokoda campaign and its welcoming villagers along the track.   

Carl is keen to share his experiences, knowledge and stories with others, ensuring the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers in WWII are not forgotten. 

GARETH ROWE

Trek Leader

Gareth spent five and a half years in the regular army and has a keen interest in military history which has seen him visit significant sites in Australia, Asia and Europe. His background ensures a focus on building a team and working toward common goals.

Gareth is passionate not only about the Kokoda campaign but also Papua New Guinea’s rich heritage and culture and wanting to ensure that the sacrifices of not only Australian soldiers but the local people are remembered and celebrated.

BRUCE DUNLOP

Trek Leader

Bruce is a recently retired from Detective with Victoria Police. After a career over 32 years in the force Bruce brings an extensive knowledge of leadership and risk management. Bruce also has extensive trekking experience within Australia and overseas and has worked in adventure event management for many years.

Bruce has always had a keen interest in military history and first trekked Kokoda as part of his involvement with the Victoria Police Youth Program, which focuses on helping young people through the challenges of teen life. The emotions involved in trekking Kokoda and the historical importance of what took place during the Kokoda campaign has had a significant effect on Bruce and his historical interests are now focused on the Kokoda campaign and the events in and around Papua New Guinea during World War 2.   

Bruce aims to provide trekkers with lifelong memories of the rewards of completing the Kokoda Track and of the importance of what took place there and the bravery of the Soldiers, which form such a major part of Australian military history.      

DANIEL WOODROW

Trek Leader

Dan first trekked Kokoda in 2014 with Australian Kokoda Tours and it was this moment that really set off his passion for hiking. 

Dan spends majority of his weekends out hiking at various Victorian locations and conducts group hikes for people training for major walks – including Kokoda. The love of helping and seeing people work towards their goals and aiding that achievement in anyway is something he gets a lot of enjoyment from.

The physical and mental challenge of taking on such a formidable hike that doubles as a historical journey that all Australians should know about is the reason, he trekked with AKT 3 times, before he was offered a position of a Kokoda guide.

Being a Kokoda tour guide with AKT allows Daniel to continue his passion for hiking whilst helping others experience the incredible journey trekking the Kokoda takes you on. Building team moral and encouraging and allowing individuals to have the experience of a lifetime and achieve their goals as well as the steep history of the wartime story is something Daniel prides himself on and will set out to do every time, he leads a trek. 

MICHAEL DEVER

Trek Leader

Trek LeaderMichael has a personal connection to Kokoda. His uncle flew in PNG in World War II with the RAAF. Michael is honoured to be able to share this legendary piece of Australian history with fellow trekkers. He has personally trekked all over the globe and has guided treks in every state in Australia. Never short of a story and a laugh, he looks forward to sharing the incredible history of Kokoda.

DAVID WEBB

Trek Leader

Having first trekked Kokoda wanting to challenge himself physically, David quickly discovered that the trek is so much more than that. Completing the trek with his brother-in-law and helping him make it under the arches, David knew that leading was for him. David is respectful and passionate about our Australian History and believes every Australian should have the opportunity to experience first-hand the legend of Kokoda. To help others achieve this massive goal and to be able to tell the story of those amazing men & women is what brings him back.