Kokoda Track Experience & Leadership

Our Spirit's Kokoda Track Experience

Our Spirit's adventure is the ultimate Kokoda trekking experience.    Guided by experienced leaders with comprehensive local knowledge and customs and an unwavering passion for the Kokoda Track, its history, hidden battle sites, treasures and most importantly it's legacy.   Our clients are given the opportunity to experience the highs and lows of the treacherous Kokoda Track with a sense of courage, endurance and mateship without the ultimate sacrifice that our digger's made before us.

Participants as young as 14 years and as old as 81 years have successfully completed the Kokoda trek with Our Spirit.  We strongly believe, pre-trek preparation is the key to our success.  For this reason, participants commence their adventure with Our Spirit up to 3 months prior to departure with a comprehensive pre-trek Kokoda Track training program including event specific exercise and nutritional advice with Wellbeing Solutions. 

Our Spirit's Kokoda Track Leaders

 Aidan Grimes

Aidan Grimes has been crossing the Kokoda Track for over 13 years. His leadership provides the basis of our 100% safety and success record to date.  His knowledge of the terrain and his physical ability in this difficult environment are second to none.  His understanding and insights into the history and military campaign relevant to the Kokoda Track are widely recognized. He is an honorary member of the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalion Associations respectively, acknowledgement that underpins his deepest respect for the Australian Military whom provide us with the freedom and independence we enjoy as a nation today.  Aidan has an encyclopedic knowledge of Australian military history and is well reputed by senior war heroes such as Mr Stan Bisset, whom publically acknowledged Aidan at the 2/14th Battalion Association annual reunion in July 2007 for his quality commemorative work undertaken on the Kokoda Track.    Aidan is always keen to discuss the Kokoda Track, the physical and mental challenges as well as its history.

Owen Turner

National Park Ranger, Owen Turner is a highly qualifed Kokoda and Black Cat Trek Leader. Owen’s position as Ranger (covering Blue Mountains, Hunter Ranges and Northern NSW Coast regions) over the past 24 years has given him extensive experience in natural area management, wildlife interpretation and naturalist skills. Combined with his active interest and passion for PNG and Kokoda military campaigns (particularly in the Wewak area where his father fought with the 2/3rd Bn), Owen is a crucial member of the Our Spirit team and a popular leader.  A keen adventurer (favouring remote mountainous bushwalks, caving, climbing and wild river kayaking) and sportsman, Owen also holds current “Wilderness First Aid” certification and is well versed in remote emergency and safety procedures but maintains our 100% safety record.

Matthew Geita

Matthew Geita has been walking the Kokoda Track for over 20 years and is considered one of the Elder Guides by the Papuan people.  He is a locally qualified Kokoda Trek Leader and Guide and has expertise in first aid and evacuation procedures.  Matthew lives in the village of Vesulogo with his wife and 5 children who attend local schools supported by Our Spirit.  His grandfather was a Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel and helped save the lives of many diggers in 1942 – 1945.  Matthew’s honesty and reliability has gained him invaluable respect and cooperation from local land owners along the Kokoda Track that ensure our clients experience a harmonious passage.