KOKODA CHALLENGE
GOLD COAST

The Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge needs little introduction. Since 2004, the 96km course has attracted thousands of teams all eager to go face to face with the ‘big 5’ mountains that accumulate over 4,000 metres of elevation, plus the multiple creek crossings and walking through the night in the ferocious cold.

This event is not for the faint-hearted, it is designed for those who want to achieve something extraordinary and prove to themselves that they are capable of extending far beyond their perceived limits. While it may seem like a physical challenge, it is ultimately a mental game.

But this is not a personal challenge, we have been dubbed Australia’s toughest TEAM endurance event for a reason, you will traverse the entire journey with your team. You will hike or trail run all through the day and the night, stopping only briefly at checkpoints to replenish food and water where you will meet your support crew.

At some point throughout the course, you’re going to want to quit, this feeling is almost inevitable. The burning quads, the chafing, the blisters, it becomes all too much at some point or another. But these are the moments where we urge you to reflect on the history of the 1942 Kokoda Campaign where Australian soldiers prevailed against insurmountable odds. Despite lacking artillery, medical supplies, and being undertrained, the men of the 39th Battalion and other militia prevailed against the Japanese who posed an imminent threat to Australian territory. The reason they succeeded comes down to the four values of the Kokoda Spirit; courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice.

There’s much more to it than that though, all proceeds and fundraising from this event are donated to the Kokoda Youth Foundation. We have been running life-changing youth programs that mentor local kids using these very values for nearly 20 years. Our programs range from helping kids stay out of the juvenile justice system, to alleviating the digital dependencies that kids have developed with technology. All of these programs are run free of charge thanks to the funds raised from The Kokoda Challenge events.

The Kokoda Challenge is not a personal conquest, it is much more about the wider community, your team, supporting future generations and ensuring the legacy of our Aussie Diggers lives on. Our mission is to not only provide you with a life-changing experience, but also for your team to walk away with a deeper understanding of the 1942 Kokoda Campaign and what our diggers endured.

In 2023, we are delighted to be offering a 30km course in addition to a 48km distance for those who are working their way up to the big 96km. All distances will take place in the Gold Coast Hinterland with all courses finishing at Nerang Velodrome.