Kokoda Track

The Kokoda Track doesn’t care about gender — but preparation does.

In this episode of the Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar speaks directly to the women who are preparing to walk Kokoda, or who feel the quiet pull of the Track but want to make sure they’re approaching it the right way.

In this episode of the Kokoda Track Podcast, host Glenn Azar chats with Graham Murphy, a 59-year-old truck driver who's just completed the grueling Kokoda Track. Graham shares his inspiring story of perseverance, from being told by his doctor he wouldn't make it to his 40th birthday due to his health, to training on the road and overcoming numerous setbacks, including COVID-19 and track closures. He opens up about his mental and ph...

Tok Pisin on Kokoda: Language as Respect

Language is one of the simplest — and most powerful — ways to show respect on the Kokoda Track. In this first episode of the Cultural Series on The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores Tok Pisin, one of Papua New Guinea’s main languages, and explains why learning just a few basic phrases can completely change how t...

In this episode of the Kokoda Track Podcast, host Glenn Azar chats with Kevin, a dad who trekked the Kokoda Track with his adult kids and their partners. Kevin shares his unique perspective on the experience, highlighting the importance of family bonding and the challenges of tackling the grueling 96-kilometer trek. He opens up about his own personal growth, the impact of the journey on his kids, and the lessons learned along the w...

Porters, Ethics, and Responsibility on Kokoda

Porters are the backbone of every Kokoda trek — yet their role is often misunderstood or overlooked. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores the ethical responsibilities that come with trekking Kokoda and explains why porter welfare, respect, and partnership matter far more than convenience. Drawing on decade...

Fitness for Kokoda: What Actually Matters

Fitness is one of the biggest concerns people have before trekking Kokoda — and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar breaks down what kind of fitness Kokoda actually demands, drawing on more than 90 crossings of the Track and years of preparing people for the journey. Rather than focusi...

In this episode of the Kokoda Track Podcast, host Glenn Azar chats with Cameron, a young man who trekked the Kokoda Track with his mum. They dive into Cameron's experiences, sharing stories of his mum's determination and his own growth. From the physical challenges of the trek to the emotional connections made along the way, this conversation explores what it means to push through adversity and find strength in community. With a mi...

Village Life Along the Track: What Trekkers Often Misread

The Kokoda Track is not an empty wilderness — it is a living corridor of villages, families, and communities. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores village life along the Kokoda Track and unpacks the common misunderstandings trekkers bring with them when passing through these communities. Draw...

Why Kokoda Changes Some People (and Not Others)

Two people can walk the same Kokoda Track — and come away with very different experiences. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores why Kokoda has a profound, lasting impact on some people, while leaving others largely unchanged. Drawing on decades of experience and more than 90 crossings, this episode exa...

In this episode of the Kokoda Track Podcast, host Glenn Azar chats with Peta, a solo traveler who recently completed the challenging Kokoda Track.

Peta shares her inspiring story of perseverance and determination, having trained for 12 months to prepare for the grueling 8-day trek. From overcoming physical challenges to mental toughness, Peta opens up about her experiences and the lessons she learned along the way. She also...

What Your Trekking Company Should Be Doing (But Many Don’t)

Choosing a Kokoda trekking company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make — and one of the least understood. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explains what professional, responsible Kokoda operators should actually be doing behind the scenes, and why those standards often...

Wantok in Action: How Community Sustains Life on Kokoda

Wantok is more than a word — it’s how life works along the Kokoda Track.

In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores what Wantok looks like in action and how community, responsibility, and shared effort have sustained life in the Owen Stanley Range for generations.

Drawing on ...

Life in the Jungle: What the Soldiers Faced Daily

The Kokoda Campaign wasn’t just fought against an enemy force — it was fought against the jungle itself. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores what daily life was really like for Australian soldiers living and fighting in the Papua New Guinea jungle during World War II. Moving beyond famous batt...

Feet, Fatigue & Friction: The Real Enemy on Kokoda

Most Kokoda treks don’t unravel because of fitness or motivation — they unravel because of feet.

In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar breaks down why foot issues are the most common trek-ending problem on Kokoda, and why fatigue and friction quietly amplify small problems into major one...

The Terrain That Decided the War

On the Kokoda Track, the terrain wasn’t just the setting — it was an enemy in its own right. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores how the Owen Stanley Range and the dense Papua New Guinea jungle shaped every aspect of the Kokoda Campaign. Drawing on military history and modern on-Track experience, Glenn explain...

How Hard Is Kokoda… Really? (An Honest Answer)

“How hard is Kokoda?” is one of the most common questions asked by people considering the Track — and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar gives an honest, experience-based answer drawn from more than 90 crossings of the Kokoda Track. Rather than focusing only on...

One of the most common questions Glenn is asked is simple:

“Are you leading my trek?”

In this episode, Glenn explains why he doesn’t lead every Kokoda trek anymore — and why that should give you confidence, not concern.

There comes a point where you stop trying to explain yourself in fragments —
and you decide to say it once, clearly.

This episode is that moment.

Whether you’re listening via The Kokoda Track Podcast or ...

Wantok: What It Really Means and Why It Matters on Kokoda

Wantok is more than a word — it’s a way of life. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores the cultural heart of Papua New Guinea and explains why understanding Wantok is essential for anyone walking the Kokoda Track. Drawing on decades of experience and more than 90 crossings, Glenn shares ...