Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Food on the Kokoda Track

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea

Thanks to those who replied to my previous post.

I plan to walk the Kokoda Track independently in July. Everything I have read says that some food is available in villages along the way but it will be necessary to carry some.
Does anybody know how much is "some"? Is it mainly breakfasts and lunches or do I need to worry about dinners as well?
Should I pick everything up in Port Moresby before I leave?
The big question - will I need to carry a stove? I have a shellite stove which also runs on unleaded petrol but if I can get away without carrying it, so much the better.

Thanks again
Jon.

I did the track in April and admittedly i was with a well known tour guide and large group so I don't honestly know the workings of how to get access to some of the food. Mostly you will find fruit readily available to buy along the track along with the occasional cans of soft drink.
I think it would be mostly night meals that the locals would be able to provide but as i said i don't know if you need to organise beforehand or jut find someone when you get to a village and ask. A couple of nights we had banquets out for us with a range of rice and vegetable dishes. I was surprised at what they came up with.
Breakfast for us was mostly weetbix & muesli with warm water, powdered milk & tea/coffee/milo.
Lunch was mainly vita wheats with peanut butter.
The main thing that i would recommend you bring plenty of and carry yourself is snacks. Muesli bars, lollies and things like that.
By the way, if you don't like the taste of the staminade powder in your drink (you will need if to replace your electrolytes) I found it was really yummy if you dip your finger in it and eat it like sherbert!

I honestly dont think you will need a stove because fires seem to be easier enough to make and maintain by the locals. I would however, suggest you bring some sort of pot for boiling & cooking because I don't think they could that.

I hope that helps & that i didn't ramble on too much.

Good luck & enjoy

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I have just finished the walk so can answer my own question now.

I recommend that anybody planning to walk the track independently brings all of their own food. You may be able to buy some fresh vegetables from some of the villages en route but don't rely on this.

Jon.

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