Isurava: Courage, Fear, and the Moment That Changed Everything

Isurava is more than a campsite on the Kokoda Track — it is a place where the spirit of the campaign was forged. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar takes listeners deep into the story of Isurava, where outnumbered and exhausted Australian soldiers were ordered to hold back the Japanese advance through the Owen Stanley Range in 1942.Blending military history with on-Track insight and personal reflection, this episode explores why Isurava still stops trekkers in their tracks, how courage and fear coexisted on this battlefield, and what this place continues to teach us about leadership, responsibility, and sacrifice. Whether you’re preparing to walk the Track or simply want to understand why Kokoda carries such emotional weight, this episode offers a powerful insight into one of its most important locations.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why the Battle of Isurava was a turning point in the Kokoda Campaign
• What courage looked like for young Australian soldiers under fire
• How the terrain and conditions shaped the battle
• Why Isurava still has a profound impact on modern trekkers
• The leadership lessons this place continues to teach

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Papua New Guinea culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Kokoda Track.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What People Don’t Realise About Kokoda Until It’s Too Late

Most people think they know what makes the Kokoda Track hard. They expect steep climbs, jungle heat, and physical exhaustion.

But those who have actually walked Kokoda know the real challenge runs far deeper. In this opening episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar — founder and lead guide of Adventure Professionals with over 90 crossings of the Track — shares the realities of Kokoda that don’t show up in brochures or social media posts. Drawing on decades of experience leading people through the Owen Stanley Range, Glenn explores why Kokoda isn’t hard in the way people expect, how mental fatigue and cumulative stress quietly undo even the fittest trekkers, and why purpose and humility matter far more than ego on this Track. This episode is part storytelling, part education, and part personal reflection — offering listeners an honest insight into what Kokoda truly asks of those who choose to walk it. Whether you’re considering trekking Kokoda, already booked, or simply seeking to understand why this place changes people, this episode sets the foundation for everything that follows.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Kokoda’s difficulty is more about relentlessness than fitness
• The mental traps that catch people off guard on the Track
• How ego, expectation, and fatigue shape the Kokoda experience
• What over 90 crossings have revealed about who thrives on Kokoda — and why

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda’s military history, Papua New Guinea’s culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons this Track has to offer.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into 2026, The Kokoda Track Podcast is evolving.

Until now, this podcast has largely focused on interviews with people who have trekked the Kokoda Track and shared their personal experiences. Those stories still matter — and they’re not going anywhere — but it’s time to broaden the conversation.

In this episode, Glenn Azar outlines a new direction for the podcast, one that brings deeper education, stronger context, and more responsibility to how Kokoda is talked about and understood.

Drawing on his military background, more than 90 crossings of the Kokoda Track, and a deep personal connection to Papua New Guinea through his partner Mili, Glenn explains why there is a growing gap between what people are told about Kokoda and what they actually experience on the ground.

From 2026 onwards, the podcast will focus on three core pillars:

• Trekking reality and preparation — honest conversations about fitness, boots, foot care, trekking poles, pacing, fatigue, and the small details that can make or break a trek

• Military history and meaning — not just dates and battles, but the human stories, terrain, leadership, and sacrifice that shaped the Kokoda Campaign

• Culture, custom, and respect — essential knowledge about Papua New Guinea, Wantok, village life, porters, ethics, and how to walk the Track as a guest, not a tourist

This episode also outlines what listeners can expect going forward, including:

• A weekly episode as a minimum

• More solo, educational episodes

• Occasional interviews when they add depth and insight

• A stronger focus on caring for Kokoda well beyond the trekking experience

This is not about selling Kokoda.

It’s about honouring it — through preparation, understanding, and respect for the land, the history, and the people who call it home.

If you’re considering Kokoda, preparing for a trek, or simply want to understand why this place matters so deeply, this episode sets the foundation for everything that follows.

In This Episode, Glenn Covers:

• Why the podcast is evolving in 2026

• The information most trekkers aren’t given — and why that matters

• The three pillars guiding the future of the show

• The importance of cultural respect and responsibility on Kokoda

• What listeners can expect from future episodes

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast as we move into a new chapter — one focused on depth, respect, and understanding Kokoda beyond the Track itself.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.