Beleni

Foke

Misima

Savaia

Misima is an ideal place to stay if you wish to walk a small part of the Track, yet still have time to rest and enjoy the magnificent scenery and bird life (including hornbills and Birds of Paradise). Over 50 species of birds live in the area around Misima and nearby Hagutawa. There are also tree kangaroos, cassowarries and cuscus in the area.

Misima lies on an historic WW2 trail that runs from Kevelo through Felai (aka Pelai) and Hagutawa to Alola. It lies across a valley from the Kokoda Track, about 21 km from Kokoda airstrip and a half-day's walk from Isurava. We recommend getting a local transport service to take you to near Kanandara, from where you can start your walk up to Misima. From Misima it's possible to walk across to Isurava for an overnight stay before returning north along the Track to Kokoda the next day. The less-strenuous alternative is to return the way you came.

Misima consists of five houses, with about 30 people living there. The guest house has room for up to 16 overnight visitors.

Hillside gardens are where most of the village's food is grown, including potatoes, yams, beans, bananas, onions, corn, taro, cucumbers and other greens. The village also grows coffee as a cash crop.

Misima offers magnificent scenery and birdwatching opportunities. Bushwalks (3 to 7 hours) can be arranged. These require a good level of fitness because of the terrain and the need to climb over logs, cross rocky streams and negotiate steep tracks.

For those who are interested, there are also WW2 relics and locations rarely visited by package tour trekkers. These include the recently-discovered "fuzzy wuzzy" cave, where an Australian soldier sought safety after being separated from his unit. While there he wrote a letter praising the local "fuzzy wuzzy" people who helped him survive.

Because of Misima's altitude (1270 m) nights can be cool (around 10°C). We recommend taking a light polartec jumper and perhaps long pants. A light sleeping bag is also useful. Important: Due to the steep track we recommend that visitors are reasonably fit and carry a walking pole (easily obtained in or around Kokoda).

Activities

• Day walk to a recently discovered cave where an Australian soldier hid from the enemy. While there he wrote a letter praising the "fuzzy wuzzy" people who came to guide him back to his unit. Very few people have ever visitied this spot.

• Crafts. Visitors are welcome to join villagers in craft activities such as making bilums (incredibly useful carry bags).

• Short bushwalks (3-7 hours, reasonable fitness required)

• Caves, waterfalls

• Short trekking to see WW2 relics

• Bird watching

• Butterflies

• Stunning mountain scenery

• Possible sightings of tree kangaroos

Cost
There is an all-inclusive charge of K100 per person per night which includes shelter, food, porter, day walks, activities, etc. Several mattresses, light blankets and pillows are available.

Book a homestay at Misima

Almost the entire Kokoda Valley is visible from Hagutawa (click to enlarge).

Profuse cool-climate plants make Misima like a botanical garden (click to enlarge).

Crossing a creek near Misima.

Maeka Falls

Dinner time!

Looking down from Hagutawa to the Isurava Memorial (centre)