Sponsor-Funded Kokoda Trek for Veterans

A chance to lead, find purpose after service, and walk in the footsteps of history.

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Why We Walk With You

Meaningfully engaging with contemporary veterans through experience and inspiration.

We take motivated veterans and current-serving members — the ones who’ve lost their sense of purpose somewhere along the way, whether during service or after discharge — and we put them on one of the toughest tracks in the world.

We give them something most programs never can: real mateship, real challenge, and real responsibility. We are not prescriptive. We don’t tell them what to do afterwards.

We rely on the experience itself to elicit action in whatever capacity the participant feels they can contribute. Whether it’s making commitments to get involved in veterans’ organisations like RSL sub-branches, or creating programs like Lawn Duty, exercise physiology sessions, gym programs, or simple coffee catch-ups — our participants are empowered to make real change in their local communities.

We’re not here to replace the RSL. We’re here to bring the next generation back into the RSL family — stronger, prouder, and ready to lead.

We do what we do because the track still changes lives. Because one hard walk in the jungle can restart a life of service. And because the best days of a veteran’s life are still ahead of him — not behind.

Proudly partnering with RSL NSW & RSL WA

RSL NSW proudly sponsors Australian veterans, particularly from New South Wales, to walk the legendary Kokoda Track. In 2026, they have committed to a $100,000 sponsorship to cover trek costs for at least 20 participants.

In 2026, RSL WA have come on board and will include WWUK in their RSL Active Program and thanks to the generosity of previous participants paying it forward, we will be sponsoring 3 veterans from WA in November 2026’s trek.

What’s included

The sponsorship covers up to $6,000 per veteran for trek costs, with an allocation for flights*. The Sponsorship includes the following:

Preparation & Pre-trek

  • Two pre-trek information sessions

  • Assistance fundraising

Administration & logistics

  • A 75L backpack

  • Charter flight between Port Moresby and Kokoda

  • Public liability coverage

  • Satellite communication links for emergency situations

  • A fully trained guide

  • General porters to carry food and safety equipment


Experience & accommodation

  • Single Share - Two nights’ accommodation at the Holiday Inn, Port Moresby

  • Kokoda Trek Permit

  • Personal porter

  • Ground transportation throughout the experience

  • All meals during the trek, including breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner

  • Entry to all memorials and monuments, including Bomana War Cemetery

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

We’ve designed these packages to include everything you need for an exceptional experience. That said, we have found that there are often a few items best arranged to suit your individual preferences.

    • Food and beverages at the Hotel

    • Individual snacks purchased along the track at various village markets

    • Souvenirs purchased at various village markets

    • International flights 

    • Travel insurance

    • Provision of personal medical stores

Gearing up for the journey

These essentials will help you navigate the Kokoda Track's unforgiving conditions, ensuring you're prepared for the adventure of a lifetime.

  • Clothing

    • Hiking boots, waterproof, and supportive

    • Hiking socks, wool or synthetic, bring several pairs

    • Hiking shirts, lightweight and quick-drying

    • Hiking pants or shorts, quick-drying

    • Fleece jacket

    • Waterproof jacket

    • Wide-brimmed hat

    • Swimwear

    • Lightweight gloves

    • Sunglasses

    Gear

    • Hiking poles

    • Water bottles or hydration bladder

    • Headlamp

    • Personal first aid kit

    Toiletries

    • Toothbrush & toothpaste

    • Sunscreen, high SPF

    • Insect repellant

    • Towel

    Documents

    • Passport & Visa

    • Small amount of local currency

What This Program Aims to do

Empower veterans to tackle personal challenges.

Kokoda presents an opportunity to tune out the noise and challenge yourself.

We believe that building resilience on the trail means gains back on home soil, too.

Forge new mateships and build leadership.

For many of us, service offered bonds and mateship like no other. And after service, it’s easy to feel disconnected from that. That’s why connection is a key pillar in our Kokoda experiences.

Lead with the lessons of Kokoda.

We aim to build a growing cohort of veteran changemakers, like Bailey’s sports program or Paul Biddle’s lawn duty, applying leadership skills to improve communities. The program also amplifies RSL NSW’s profile through promotional efforts and participant advocacy.

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What We’re Looking For

âś“ Service & Leadership

You’ve served with pride and want to grow as a leader.

âś“ Your Next Chapter

You’re facing challenges or seeking growth — this trek can help you reset and push forward.

âś“ Community Spirit

You already contribute — or want to — to your local veteran or civilian community, true to RSL NSW’s values of service, welfare, and remembrance.

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Words from those who have walked before you

  • “The Kokoda trek allowed me to better understand the conditions and sacrifices our diggers made in defending New Guinea in WWII. It also provided me with the opportunity to connect with a younger cohort and to appreciate the mate ship and teamwork that evolved over the trek.”

  • “I achieved more than I set out to do! I not only ticked the box and completed the trek I continue to build on the dedication of getting there and completing the trek becoming stronger physically and mentally by maintaining a daily training routine. I also have a memory and comradeship which I will never forget with those who walked with and before me on the Kokoda trail.”

  • “Kokoda is the ultimate Australian Pilgrimage. Whether you are there just for a challenge or know a thing or two about the history, Kokoda is a place of spiritual transformation for each trekker that undertakes it. It brings out the best in the individual through adversity and reminds everyone of what is really important in life.”

  • “Kokoda taught me to value my time and learn to switch off! Nothing more rewarding than having one job to do and that’s one step in front of the other.”

  • “This trek allowed me to learn about myself, and what is important to me in my life. Being with oneself at times of solitude on the trek gave me time to reflect on my past, my journey, my life.”

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