The famous Kokoda Track has reopened to visitors after months of negotiations between local landowners and the Papua New Guinea government.
The challenging 96km trek, which attracts thousands of Australian pilgrims each year, had been closed indefinitely since September following protests by landowners in PNG that led to the cancellation of numerous treks.
Local authorities have confirmed the track is now accessible, although they retain the right to block access at short notice.
Meanwhile, the government website Smartraveller has urged Australian tourists to exercise extreme caution while travelling in PNG due to high levels of crime, violence, and civil unrest.
The site specifically advises against visits to Mount Hagen in PNG’s Western Highlands, the Southern Highlands region, and the Hela and Enga provinces, citing ongoing fuel shortages that can disrupt domestic travel with little notice.
Criminal groups are known to operate in remote areas of the Highlands, particularly around logging, mining, oil, and gas sites, where incidents of kidnapping, sometimes targeting foreigners, have been reported.
Due to the dispute that led to the track’s closure, Kokoda Track tour operators in Australia were forced to cancel multiple treks.
The Australian government now recommends that tourists check with their tour companies for the latest travel information before planning their visit. Every year, thousands of Australians walk this historic trail, which is not only a significant part of World War II history but also a vital source of tourism revenue for the local economy.
