"An amazing journey. Wau, Bulolo’s history then the spectacular crossing on the same paths as the diggers over the Finisterre Mountains was exceptional. Well run in difficult conditions. It is a great connection to Kokoda."
Over the past few years, many people have asked: "Well, I’ve done the Kokoda Trail. and enjoyed it immensely, but what’s next? Is there anything else like it, or even similar?" Other inquiries have been specific, with interest in Shaggy Ridge, Wau, Bulolo, Lae, or Finschhafen - such as "I know somebody who served there".
One area we started exploring was the Shaggy Ridge battle area, within the Finesterre Mountain Ranges, somewhat between Lae and Madang on the Northern side of Papua New Guinea. We also travelled into the areas of Wau, Bulolo and Salamaua on our explorations. The information gathered has been related to our research and resulted in our regularly operating expedition tours to Shaggy Ridge, Lae, Wau and Bulolo over the last 10 years.
At the close of 1943, and during the opening months of 1944, the Australians pushing the enemy back from Lae, engaged and defeated a Japanese main force in the Finesterre Mountains. They then pursued them back to the coast along the Mindjim Valley system to Madang. The key to the position was the towering mass of Shaggy Ridge. The Japanese dominated the surrounding country from this feature, supported by artillery and an effective road supply system. The Australians defeated them soundly and in detail, calling on lessons learned the hard way during the Kokoda Campaigns. Many of the Australian units involved had served that hard apprenticeship on the Kokoda, where they mastered jungle warfare. To see the terrain first hand and experience the environment is to appreciate the enormity of the Australians’ achievement. Yet, very few people know of the Shaggy Ridge Campaign because it was not in General Macarthur’s interests to publicise the Australian victory. And, after looking and learning, I suggest we all should wonder why it is still so unpublicised.
Kokoda Treks and Tours has been taking groups over ’The Ridge’ for the past eight years. We have added to the walking phase of the package an opportunity to tour the Bulolo and Wau battle areas, the subject of some remarkable war time activities and "close run" victories for the Australians. Depending on the weather and four wheel drive conditions, we visit ancient burial ledges and cave systems in the Bulolo area that were used by the local people before western culture imposed different rules. As the cultural and natural environments are so different from our own we introduce our visitors to some of the differences with a tour of the Rainforest Habitat, Lae - a research project established on what was waste ground in the grounds of the local university.
The Shaggy Ridge expedition is not unlike the Kokoda Trail in physical and mental challenge. It is however navigated through country where the "tourist walker" is a virtual unknown.
The localities we trek through have no tourist infrastructure - although our visits are welcome! The scenery is spectacular, and the history is compelling. Much of the story (and localities) are yet to be "discovered" and by walking with us, you join in the challenge of exploration.
From the time you step off near Dumpu Cattle Station on the southern side of the Finisterre Mountain Range, to the afternoon you clamber onto transport at the other end for a ride to the welcoming resort in Madang, you will be in a remote and challenging environment.
The trip takes fourteen days and the expedition trek is seven days in the middle of the tour. A full rest day in the picturesque and relaxing town of Madang at a resort is included after the trek.
Contact Us for further details.
