Kokoda Track reopens to visitors after months-long closure

The famous Kokoda Track has been reopened to visitors after months of negotiations between local landowners and the Papua New Guinea government.

The challenging 96km trek, which sees thousands of Australians make a pilgrimage each year, was closed indefinitely in September.

Australian visitors had their treks cancelled and others were left stalled for long periods following protests by landowners in PNG.

Local authorities have now announced the Kokoda Track has reopened, however communities can block access again with short notice.

Government website Smartraveller has warned Australian tourists to exercise a “high degree of caution” while travelling to PNG due to high levels of crime, violence and civil unrest.

It also warned tourists to reconsider visits to Mount Hagen in PNG’s Western Highlands, all of the Southern Highlands in the region and the Hela and Enga provinces.

Ongoing fuel shortages can disrupt domestic travel, including air travel, with little or no notice, Smartraveller warned.

“Criminal groups operate in remote areas of Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Highlands, including across provincial borders and in areas around logging, mining, oil and gas sites,” an alert noted.

“Kidnapping can happen with criminal motives.

“There have been incidents of kidnapping in remote areas and near some mining sites.

“Targets have included foreigners.”

Kokoda Track tour operators in Australia were forced to cancel multiple treks after the dispute ended in an indefinite closure.

The Australian government has advised tourists to check with their tour companies for the latest information.

Thousands of Australians every year walk the historic Kokoda track, the scene of bitter fighting between Australian soldiers and a Japanese invasion force in World War II, bringing valuable tourism dollars to the local economy.