OUR TEAM
MICK O’MALLEY
Owner, Operator & Trek Leader
Mick is a highly experienced and passionate Kokoda Trek leader with 20 years of expertise leading individual, groups and schools through the rugged and historic Kokoda Track. As the owner and operator of Australian Kokoda Tours, Mick combines an in-depth knowledge of the Kokoda Campaign with a love for adventure, fitness, and the unique cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea.
With a background in sport, Mick is a former 2 time Victorian, 3 time Australian and Commonwealth Super Featherweight Boxing Champion. Mick is a qualified Fitness instructor holding an Advanced Diploma in Fitness, having competed half marathons, full marathons and ultra marathons and has trained over 400 clients to successfully complete Kokoda. Mick is dedicated to providing trekkers with an unforgettable and meaningful experience, blending physical challenge with historical education. A seasoned trekker with travel experience in Mexico, USA, Scotland, England, Dubai, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Hawaii, Africa, Fiji, Vanuatu, France, Ireland and more. As of November 2024, Mick has guided 88 treks safely across Kokoda, helping adventurers to push their limits while honouring the sacrifices made during World War II.
As a passionate advocate for the Kokoda Track and its history, Mick works closely with local communities, ensuring responsible tourism practices and promoting cultural exchange. Mick has also been instrumental in the Kokoda Tours Operator’s Association, being elected the inaugural secretary and has now been the president since 2020. Mick is committed to preserving the track’s legacy for future generations. Whether you’re tackling Kokoda for the first time or returning for a deeper experience, Mick's expert leadership and dedication to service make every trek an inspiring and life-changing journey.
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.
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.
LEIGH HOWLETT
Leigh is a MICA Flight Paramedic and has a passion for the outdoors with extensive experience in working in remote environments.
Leigh has been trekking Kokoda with AKT since 2018, initially as a medic for school trekking groups.
Now a guide with AKT, Leigh is motivated to continue to work with trekkers and share what Papua New Guinea, its people and culture has to offer. He is passionate about the history of the Kokoda campaign, he aims to safely guide and motivate trekkers during our time on the track.
CRAIG HARVEY
Craig first walked Kokoda in 2019 with his brother and a group of mates to honour the service of his grandfather in WW2. After an emotional and moving dawn service on Brigade Hill, Craig new knew he would return to PNG. He is deeply passionate about sharing the incredible story of the Kokoda campaign and the rich cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea. His connection to the land and its people runs deep, having a family connection to the campaign and learned from local communities who call the track home. As your guide, Craigs priority is to ensure a safe, enriching, and memorable trekking experience, helping you navigate the challenging terrain while offering insights into the history, flora, fauna, and traditions of the land. The journey is physically demanding, but it’s also a chance to connect with nature, learn about the resilience of those who fought in Kokoda & PNG, and gain a new perspective on life. Whether you're an experienced trekker or a first-timer, Craig will be with you every step of the way, helping you overcome obstacles, push your limits, and create lasting memories. With Craig, you’ll not only tackle the track but also immerse yourselves in one of the most significant chapters of World War II history. Craig is determined to keep the story of the Kokoda campaign alive and to inspire trekkers to learn more about this incredible campaign and its place in Australian legend.
JULES ATTARD
Trek Leader
Jules first trekked Kokoda in 2008 and was so inspired by the complexity of the experience she just knew she had to return. And so, she did again eight weeks later and began what has become one of her great passions in life - facilitating trekkers’ experiences across the amazing Kokoda track.
What excites Jules is that there are so many facets of the trek to explore and share -the history of the campaign, the incredible stories of the diggers, Australia’s connection to our PNG brothers and sisters, the richness of their culture, the physical and mental capabilities and the personal growth that comes with pushing oneself to their limits in the untapped great outdoors. These are just a few of the things that keep her coming back.
Every trek is an adventure – you never know what the track has in store and to be totally in the moment with all that it is, is what makes Kokoda the ultimate experience of a lifetime. Jules can’t wait to share this with you.
SHEREE KEMP
Trek Leader
Sheree first trekked Kokoda in 2008 having been interested in hearing the history whilst walking in the footsteps of her forefathers. Sheree has always a deep and curious wonderment towards the Fuzzy Wuzzy angels that sparked a desire to educate herself more!
Sheree hiked her first trek with a local PNG guide, thus having missed the incredible narration of the campaign. So, she returned in 2010 and totally immersed herself into the steep history of the Kokoda story, enjoying herself so much more and the Kokoda spark was started!
The mystique of the locals and the antiquity of the track became a passion that now has her eagerly wanting to get back at every opportunity.
Having led many treks in and around Australia and predominantly Tasmania, Sheree’s heart lies in the mountains of PNG and enjoys nothing more than sharing the experience, the history and the culture with others.
Sheree believes that the more times you walk the track the “more” in awe you are of the enormity of what our soldiers endured during this campaign.
“If it is something you would like to do – it will be the best 8 days of your life”
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.
Our guides carry essential equipment and supplies, they set up camp, cook the meals and wash and clean up after every meal. They support all trekkers on the difficult sections of the trail. Carrying a guitar to play and sing at night in camp is an initiative they have undertaken to entertain themselves and our trekkers.
We value our guides and express this to them by paying them above the standard award rate, providing them with personal gear such as T-shirts, shorts, caps and name tags, along with their sleeping mats and sleeping bags.
We also have a scholarship program where we bring at least one of our guides out to Australia each year.