Operation Roxy - In Progress

Sunday, June 18, 2006

JOIN ME - 1,000 Steps, Kokoda Memorial Trail

If you are in Melbourne I want you to join me in walking the Thousand Steps.

Join me & others in a challenge to test yourself!

The thousand steps also known as the Kokoda Memorial Trail in the Mt Dandenongs is a walk that must be done. Meet up with other bloggers and tackle this challenge together on Saturday July 1st.

This is something that you will do at your own pace - no need to push yourself to keep up with anyone and no reason to wait behind for others. Allow about 2 hours in total for the walk (up and back with a rest and allowing plenty of time for those of us that are unfit and need to rest along the way) and we may do a healthy Brunch somewhere afterwards depending on the group.

Wear normal workout gear. Perhaps some warm clothes to wear to and from but able to slip out of for the walk. Some good stable shoes.

Bring Your enthusiasm! And a stopwatch if you want to measure out your time.

Water is handy to have but can be annoying to hold going up and down. Totally up to the indiviudual. Camelbaks, Water belts or similar advised otherwise there is a drinking tap at the One Tree Hill BBQ Area at the top.

Time: 9am, Saturday July 1st at the archway
Find me by looking for a Red Cap with Dutton Rally on the front and Official on the back wearing a Body For Life white T-Shirt with Red writing.

Cost: Nothing! (Pay your own way for Brunch)

How to Find: The thousand steps are located just off main road where Burwood Hwy Meets the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Upper Ferntree Gully.
Coming along Burwood Hwy towards Mount Dandenong you will go under a rail bridge right before the climb up the hill. Turn left immediately and left again which will take you into the carpark. The archway is at the very top of the carpark.

Unfortunately no dogs are allowed as this is a national park.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ATTENDING AND I WILL KEEP A LIST SO I KNOW WHO TO LOOK FOR

The Kokoda Track is in place to honour the Australian men and women who fought and risked their lives during the Second World War. The memorial trail takes place along the “1000 steps” in the Upper Ferntree Gully region of the Dandenong Ranges National Park (DRNP). The walk is approximately 2.5km long, takes approximately 1 – 1.5 hours (one way) and is medium to strenuous. There are 13 commemorative plaques located along the walk which aim to provide an insight into what it was like in 1942 during the battle at Kokoda Trail, and to explain significant events at different points along the track. These plaques were installed in 1992 and are replicas of those that can be found along the original Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea.

The battle at the original Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea was fought between July and November 1942. The Australian soldiers made their way along the 100km track, through very rugged terrain. On either side they were surrounded by thick, impenetrable jungle, which helped to hide the enemy even at 10 metres away. The track was narrow and crossed many rivers and the Owen Stanley Mountains, which reach an altitude of 2,000 metres. The soldiers also had to face humidity, insects, hunger, tiredness and the fear of not knowing what lay ahead.

There were several major battles along the track, some of which are explained on the commemorative plaques. The plaques give a brief overview of the major events that led to Australia eventually defeating the Japanese army and recapturing the area.

I will be going Rain Hail or Shine!
Posted by Jadey :: 4:01 PM :: 9 comments