Kokoda is one of Australia’s greatest triumphs when a small band of brothers from Australia and PNG held back a voracious enemy hell bent on stealing our land and our future.

Walk in the footsteps of these extraordinary men in 2019 with a KTOA member.

Frank Taylor and his team have had a 30 plus-year relationship with the people and landscape of the Kokoda Trail.

Our PNG Guides and Carriers are briefed and resourced with knowledge and equipment to allow them to work in a healthy environment.

• The Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) approved maximum weight for Carriers is 22.5kgs.
• The maximum weight is less than the International Porter code and is strictlyenforced by our member companies. Indeed, most KTOA Carriers carry less than that, the majority between 8 – 20kgs.
• Generally, the weight of a Carrier’s pack at the commencement of their trek will be 20kgs or under. As the trek progresses, weights reduce due to the consumption of food. Pack weights are re distributed dailyresulting in a daily reduction of a minimum of 1 kg each day.
• Often, operators will have a food re-supply mid-trek. This will bring pack weights up again for one day, before reducing again on a daily basis. At no time are our Carrier’s pack weights over the maximum allowable, and are usually significantly lighter than the maximum.
• Our Carriers are not subjected to carrying heavy weights over the whole journey but have their packs lightened, redistributed and balanced so by the end of the trek their pack weights are down to 8-12kgs.
• We ensure our Carriers packs are appropriately packed and balanced. It is not appropriate for Carriers to carry items by hand as this can become a safety issue.
• We provide group Carrier medical kits.
• We pay camp site fees for each of our Carriers.
• Each trek has a trained first aid Carrier who carries a Carrier medical kit.
• Each trek has a professionally trained rope and river-crossing specialist.
• Each trek has trained cooks and camp staff that supply, prepare and cook our Carriers hearty and healthy meals.
• We pay our Trek Guides and Carriers well above the industry average and above the recommended amount specified by the Kokoda Track Authority.
• Our Carriers and Guides are on an upwards sliding pay scale from General Carrier on a minimum of 70 Kina per day through too our Senior Trek Masters who receive negotiated management pays.
• We promote from within giving each Carrier the possibility of advancing his career.
• We pay for Carrier flights/transport to and from the Kokoda track or we pay them a walk back wage plus supply them food or food money for the walk.
• We supply camping equipment, sleeping mat and sleeping bag and uniform for our staff.
• Our Carriers and guides do not walk at night as this is an unacceptable risk to our employees and trekkers.
• We are also working with the local camp site owners to ensure suitable camp hut accommodation for our Carriers/carriers and guides to ensure they have clean, dry and smoke free accommodation.

Based on Kokoda Track Authority figures of 3561 trekkers for 2017

Estimated total contributions of all Kokoda operators K11, 234,400 for 2017 

Estimated KTOA Contributions K8,072,410 for 2017

Breakdown Of Estimated Contribution By KTOA on Kokoda In 2017

KTA permit fees were averaged out at K320 as some operators claimed 50% discount on School Student treks.

Porter/Guides wages based on base pay of K650 + K220 walk back pay.

Camp site fees based on K20 per trekker and K5 for Porters/Guides x 8 nights.

Porter numbers based on a minimum of 1.5 porters per trekker.

Breakdown Of Estimated Contribution By KTOA on Kokoda In 2018