Interested in taking on the Kokoda Challenge? 2026 REGISTRATIONS OPENING SOON!
Join Australia's largest school endurance event
There’s a reason that the Kokoda Challenge has become Australia's largest school endurance event. Every year, over 8,400 students join the Kokoda Challenge but its more than a school charity or fitness event - it’s a real-life lesson in Australia’s military history, community spirit, and the power of true teamwork.
Once you register, you’ll receive resources about the 1942 Kokoda Campaign, and during the event you’ll see signs along the trail sharing stories and reminders of the incredible hardship our Diggers faced. These moments help students understand why the Challenge exists: to honour their courage and sacrifice.
Every team also fundraises to support our free youth programs, so students learn to think creatively, work together, and give back to their community. The school that raises the most earns the prestigious Bruce Kingsbury VC School Cup.
Students can even apply to join our fully-funded youth programs themselves with details available on the Kokoda Youth Foundation website.
It’s an unforgettable experience that teaches resilience, service, and mateship in a way no classroom ever could.
During The Kokoda Challenge event, we have a very strict rule that you must stay together as a team throughout the entire event. Any teams found separating from one another risk disqualification. The rule is that all teammates must stay within eyesight of one another with the goal to reach the finish line as a whole team, with no team members dropping out; leave no one behind!
This teaches students that they can’t just power ahead of their teammates if they’re being too slow and they want to go faster. We suggest that the fastest team member remains at the back and the slowest are at the front so that they can set the team’s pace. This can be difficult for some students who are high achievers when it comes to sport as they’re accustomed to focusing on their personal goals. However, this event requires students to be considerate and compassionate with others and not just focus on their own wellbeing. That’s how our Diggers prevailed along the Kokoda Track in 1942 and that’s what will get your whole team to the finish line.
It is an extremely rewarding experience for both teachers and students from the fundraising all the way through to crossing the finish line. You’ll build strong bonds with one another and gain a deeper understanding of Australia’s military history.
Click here to hear from Karen Ball from The Lakes College, who enter multiple schol teams in our events every year.
A Group Activity for Students Like No Other
Testimonials
I'm truly grateful for my team! To me, we are just a one-time-team-goodbye-never-see-each but we are family. We are friends for life now, forged with that magical force that Kokoda brings to every team who competed. I might have slowed us down but there was never a time that I felt I was blamed for not meeting our time goal. Instead, I felt loved, cared for and looked after. That gave me the boost I needed to push harder
Allison
The event was really tough and I could not have done it on my own. Many thanks and gratitude to my team mate for sticking by me even though they could easily run the track. They gave me tips, encouragement and believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself.
Tricia
What a tough event! I've completed the 96km 5 times now and I still rely on my team to help get me to the finish line. They embody the true spirit of Kokoda and I'm in awe of their mental and physical strength to forfeit their own abilities to accommodate mine.
Breanna
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WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
Please fill out the form to register your interest in getting your school involved. Someone will be in touch soon to answer any questions you may have.
