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Fast Facts About Kokoda Spirit
Kokoda Spirit was founded by Wayne Wetherall and has been operating in Papua New Guinea and along the Kokoda Track since 2004. Over that time, Wayne Wetherall and Kokoda Spirit have safely escorted thousands of trekkers across Kokoda and built a reputation for professionalism, safety, and authentic historical knowledge.
In 2026, Kokoda Spirit marks its 22nd anniversary of leading treks on the Kokoda Track. We specialise in professionally led Kokoda expeditions for elite teams, schools, youth groups, charities, sporting organisations, defence groups, and individual trekkers.
Experience and leadership
Wayne Wetherall, Kokoda Spirit, and our PNG team have led a wide range of specialist expeditions, private treks, leadership programs, and military-related activities across Kokoda.
Our experience includes leading private treks for four current serving ADF Brigadiers, four Australian Defence Force Colonels, and delivering Exercise Kanga Return 25 for the 39th Battalion. We have also led a Kokoda trek for the Australian Army Adelaide University Regiment and worked with the Australian War College, providing historical battlefield briefings and training activities.
Kokoda Spirit has also facilitated one-day Kokoda training sessions for members of the New Zealand Defence Force and ADF personnel from Murray and Goldie Barracks in Port Moresby.
Our sporting and specialist treks have included the Sydney Roosters, Newcastle Knights, the Mark Hughes Foundation Back-to-Back Kokoda, and the Coast-to-Coast Kokoda expedition. We have also led unique and inspiring Kokoda journeys, including Kurt Fearnley’s crawl across Kokoda and Michael Milton trekking Kokoda on crutches.
Licensed, compliant and professional.
Kokoda Spirit is fully licensed and operates under the laws and regulations of both Australia and Papua New Guinea. We hold Kokoda Track Authority Licence No. 3, are registered in Australia as Kokoda Spirit Pty Ltd, and are registered in PNG with the PNG Investment Promotion Authority and the PNG Internal Revenue Commission.
We also carry $20 million Public Liability insurance and maintain a comprehensive risk management plan, including a 24-hour back-to-base communication protocol. With offices and logistics capability in both Australia and PNG, we are proud to operate as a fully compliant and professionally run Kokoda company.
Trek support and inclusions
Our Kokoda trek packages are designed to provide strong support, smooth logistics, and excellent value. Inclusions include 5-star pre and post trek accommodation at the Stanley Hotel and Suites in Port Moresby, airport transfers, hotel transfers, charter, or commercial flight options into or out of Kokoda, and a visit to Bomana War Cemetery.
On the Track, trekkers are supported by professionally trained cooks and camp staff, fresh trek meals, emergency communication equipment, satellite phones, and a 24-hour emergency support network in Port Moresby and Australia. We also provide a Kokoda Spirit completion certificate and Kokoda Spirit cool-dry shirt, and we can assist with organising international flights.
Our people and standards
Our Australian guides are experienced, passionate, and highly knowledgeable in the history of the Kokoda campaign. Our PNG guides are locally based, qualified, trained, English-speaking, and
were born or raised along the Kokoda Track corridor or in the Northern Beaches region. Their local knowledge adds genuine depth and authenticity to the Kokoda experience.
We are proud to pay our porters and guides above the recommended Kokoda Track Authority rate, and they also carry less than the recommended maximum weight. We believe Kokoda staff should be treated fairly, paid properly, equipped well, and given access to safer work conditions, education, health support, and career opportunities.
Importantly, we do not subcontract our Kokoda logistics in PNG to third-party organisations.
Responsible travel and PNG benefits
Kokoda Spirit is proud to be an Australian and PNG registered company that employs local people and generates real benefits for PNG communities along the Track.
We make direct payments to campsite owners and landowners, purchase a Kokoda Track Authority permit for every trekker, source food locally where possible, and work to reduce waste through responsible environmental practices. We also employ a waste porter to remove leftover items from the Track and support local staff through training in hospitality, customer service, and first aid.
We believe responsible travel on Kokoda should respect local culture, support local communities, and contribute to sustainable eco-trekking.
Testimonials and bookings
You can find testimonials on the Kokoda Spirit website, Kokoda Spirit Facebook page, and Google Reviews.