Very few of the tens of millions of dollars spent by Kokoda Trail trekkers each year stay in PNG. Even less stays in Kokoda. A couple of trekking companies provide regular and generous benefits to the Kokoda people, but they are a tiny minority.

To help repair the devastation inflicted by Cyclone Guba in 2007 and rebuild the local economy, six villages in the Kokoda Valley decided to cater for some of the thousands of visitors that pass through their area each year.

While trekkers (understandably!) usually prefer to stagger off the Trail straight onto their plane, the Kokoda people hoped that other visitors, perhaps with no desire to walk the Trail, would appreciate a less strenuous experience simply enjoying the extraordinary beauty and gentle pace of their beautiful valley.

During 2008 they built guest houses from local materials and equipped their facilities to cater for extra visitors. They also worked out how to pass on to their guests their deep knowledge and understanding of the area, especially its history and natural environment.

The benefits began showing even before the first guests arrived, when many of the women undertook a course in catering based on locally grown foods. This immediately benefitted their families with an inspired variety of new dishes and improved nutrition.

Kokoda Homestay is an ideal experience for people of basic-to-moderate fitness who enjoy day or half-day walks, good conversation and fresh food.