Close mates Nathan and Justin recently completed the Kokoda Trail, one of Australia’s most historic and demanding treks. Along the way, they raised more than $22,000 for MS research, with that total expected to double thanks to matched funding from the Macquarie Foundation.
Both have close friends who live with MS. They’ve seen how the condition can bring ongoing and often invisible challenges, and chose to support MS research to help bring hope and drive positive change.
While the trek was an adventure of a lifetime, it was also a tribute to the soldiers who walked the track before them.
Together, they walked the whole 96 kilometres through Papua New Guinea’s jungle and mountains, facing steep ridgelines, heavy rain and stifling humidity.
Here is their reflection on the experience:
Completing the Kokoda Track was, without question, the hardest physical and mental challenge we’ve ever undertaken.
Despite months of preparation, nothing could have truly readied us for the treacherous terrain, the relentless humidity, and the sheer endurance it demanded. Papua New Guinea’s beauty is staggering, lush jungles, sweeping ridgelines, and warm, resilient communities, but it came with a toughness that tested us every step of the way.
Unseasonal rain turned the already gruelling trail into a mud-slicked gauntlet. Steep ascents and slippery descents made each kilometre feel hard-won. The heat was stifling during the day, and even in the evenings, despite the comfort of tents set up by our incredible porters, rest was elusive.
Those porters, along with our Australian guide Ruth from No Roads Adventures, were the beating heart of our journey. Their strength, care, and deep knowledge made the difference between hardship and triumph.
More than just a trek, Kokoda is a living war memorial. At points along the trail, Ruth shared stories of the Australian soldiers who held the line in 1942 against overwhelming Japanese forces. Hearing of their courage, sacrifice, and suffering, while we struggled through conditions that only hinted at what they endured, brought raw perspective and deep respect. Our challenge was temporary and supported; theirs was desperate, brutal, and heroic.
We walked to raise funds for MS Research and appreciate all the incredible support there, but we came away with something more: a profound appreciation for Australian war history, for the people of PNG, and for the resilience of the human spirit. Kokoda broke us down and built us back stronger – the four pillars at Isurava Memorial cover it perfectly… courage, endurance, sacrifice and mateship.
We are grateful to Nathan and Justin for their generosity and for sharing their story.
You can support MS research today.
