kokoda trail memorial walk

The 1000 steps represents a famous part of the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea. It is quite strenuous but remember you haven't got a huge backpack on, it's not monsoonal rain and Japanese snipers are trying to kill you. Mid week is far quieter than the weekends. You can walk up steps then do the loop by walking or running down the non-stepped path. Get really fit and do it multiple times

Great walk although now becoming very busy, almost dangerous at times, you are in the Forrest with the birds etc. make sure you take water, and get there early so that you can park the car, a good physical workout

Taking a walk on the 1000 steps can be as hard as YOU want it to be. From walking with rests, to running across whole location.The forest is a great site to see, together with the sounds of the wildlife. If I lived closer, I would perform the walk more often.

As I was staying with my cousin in the Ferntree Gully area of the Melbourne Dandenong Ranges I thought I should take the opportunity to climb the 1000 step Kokoda Memorial Walk. It is a popular walk in the weekends so I suggest heading there during a weekday but go early if you're travelling during the summer months as one gets pretty hot and sweaty. Of course, nothing quite as uncomfortable as those diggers suffering on the actual Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea during World War II.Along the way take time to read the plaques depicting the lives of those who fought and died on the trail during the Kokoda campaign in 1942 and enjoy the variety of fauna to be found in that part of the ranges. You can go either straight up the steps and down the corresponding walkway or vice versa. You don't have to be super fit to do this unless you want to run up the 1000 steps - I easily cut it out under the recommended two hours and welcomed the icecream back in Ferntree Gully township!

Sometimes you can forget how beautiful parts of Melbourne are, and this is no exception. The 1000 step track is a dedication to the Kokoda trial used by Aussie diggers in PNG during the WWII. Surrounded by tree ferns, the track winds its way up the slopes of Mt Dandenong. If you are not fit, beware it can be a slog and has some rather steep steps, but it is a reward to walk up to the top and just as pleasant on the decent. Can be very busy at times and fitness fanatics adorn the track. At the base of the track there is a cafe, picnic area, toilets and play equipment for small kids. Our whole family enjoys the track and the exercise is always a good excuse to have a great lunch at any number of the good eateries in the hills. And if you're really lucky you'll see a lyrebird.

A well presented memorial devoted to the sacrifice of many brave souls. Informative displays along 800m of virtually flat path which give some insight to the sheer ludicrous conditions that soldiers have been subjected to in order to defend their nation. Hopefully this type of historical display can be used to educate some of the younger generation. Hats off to those organisations and individuals who made this foreshore walk. Lest we forget.

To put it simply - I am a lardarse and my partner, well quite frankly, she has the aerobic ability of a turnip. So, if we can do this nearly anyone can. Just take your time, carry some water and reflect on both the beautiful surroundings and on the sacrifices made by the diggers who fought on the Kakoda Track and saved not only Port Moresby but Australia from invasion in WW2.We walked the 1000 step (Kakoda Memorial) walk and the lyrebird track as loop. Distance was a little over 3km. It does get very busy with all the fitness junkies so car parking may be an issue. There are picnic tables and BBQ facilities available so pack a picnic lunch. There is also a café. We drove up to One Trip Hill picnic grounds for lunch but you can also walk there easily. It's about another 1-2 km from the end of the 1000 step walk. In short, great day - beautiful scenery, well worth a visit.

fresh air and 1000 steps...nice place to workout in middle of nature..it can be crowded on weekends, so be early to get a parking.. anyone with moderate fitness level can do this walk..

Love to have a walk up/down the 1000 steps in this public park situated at part of the Dandenong Ranges.Usually gone up and down the 1000 steps as part of the Kokoda Memorial Trail. It's a good activity to do as a group. Gauging how fit you are especially with the endurance.Takes about 20 - 30 minutes walking up hill without stopping. If you prefer a slower pace, there's a few places to stop along the way up or down to sit/rest.Along the trail there's some information to read regarding the trail as well as the histories related to the Kokoda war.At the bottom of the trail or the top there's free BBQ area for public use. Also a good place to enjoy the nature with plenty of trees, flowers, grass and birds (Eg. Cockatoo, Rosella and Kookaburra, etc).Plenty of car parks (can be packed during peak times on weekends or public holidays) and about 40 minutes drive from Melbourne city.By the way, bring along some snacks and water in case you become thirsty or hungry along the way. :)

By the time I walked up the hill to the bottom of the steps, I thought that was it lol Its a serious hike and amazing workout! It is beautiful and I only wish I lived closer so I could go more often

We recently took the walk from the carpark of the FT Gully National Park, commonly used by the more vigorous of body and mind who tackle the 1000 Steps of the Kokoda Trail Memorial, but we chose to do it slightly less strenuously. We took the Ramblers Track just past the Kokoda Memorial, then branching off to the Scenic Track crossing the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road to Titania Cresent, an unmade road steep in parts. This took us to the One Tree Hill Picnic Ground and a stop to morning tea. Other walkers were using the available facilities to take in a BBQ in the sunshine. Toilets and several shelters, picnic tables and electric BBQs are available at One Tree Hill. The walk back was all downhill (thankfully), taking the Lyrebird Track before branching off just before the 1000 Steps to take the Link and finally the Belview Tracks all the way back to the carpark. Although a fair downward gradient in parts, this path was quite easy compared to the alternatives. Along the way the scenery provided glimpses of fern gullies, rippling streams, colourful fungi and even a glimpse of a rather shy bush wallaby. The trek up Titania Cresent did provide some elevated glimpses of the lower suburbs, predominantly looking toward the Lysterfield National Park. Tip for those who want to visit One Tree Hill without any effort at all - drive your car up Churchill Drive from Ferny Creek - a sealed road that runs parallel to Titania Cresent that gets you to the same picnic ground.

We have been doing walks in this area since introduced to the Kokoda Memorial walk by my sister over 2 years ago. In the carpark area, there are 2 toilet blocks and a cafe open most days. Just above the carpark are 2 wonderful memorials to our Kokoda war veterans worth stopping at. The 1000 steps Kokoda Memorial path is well sign posted from the carpark and the various historical cairns along the way are a good excuse for a rest and a read as you head to the top. A fit walker can get from the carpark to the top non stop in around 20 minutes. Very popular with families with children and it always appears that the young ones enjoy the challenge. We've seen all levels of fitness attempt the path and if it becomes too difficult one can turn around at any time and return downhill. At the top is a map showing alternative routes back to the car park, each of different length. Be aware that some areas of these alternative trails are quiet steep and although well maintained, may be more difficult than the 1000 steps as a downward route. There are plenty of other trails worth an explore if you have the time and picnic areas at both top and bottom have a number of tables and seating both covered and uncovered. Generally plenty of birdlife with magpies, rosellas, cockatoos and kookaburras a common sight. On quiet days on some of the less travelled trails we have seen kangaroos and wallabies in the bushland.

The 1000 steps in the Dandenongs gets really busy almost everyday of the year no matter what the weather conditions. Try going really early (just after sunrise) or try one of the other tracks. My favourite is the Bellevue track. You can get to it from the very bottom of the car park. It is a longer more sustained walk, about 1 1/2 hrs from the car park to One tree hill picnic ground and back. If you are looking for a real challenge, take the Bellevue track to the water tank, then stony rise walk and then the View track. This is a real killer. Going this way its is a 2 hr round trip.

The 1000 steps trail is steep, long and very tiring. But beautiful scenery, lovely fresh air and great for fitness junkies! Highly recommend for a day with your friends of fitness followed by a BBQ at the base. Beautiful!

We love this! A great walk. Not for the unfit! Its a bit of a hike from the carpark! Lovely scenery and a great tribute