Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

About

Created in the early 1900s the 1000 Steps was originally made from the trunks of tree ferns laster concrete steps were installed in 1950

Story

The 1,000 STEPS is located in the Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground in the south/western area of the Dandenong National Park 35 kilometres east of Melbourne (Melways Map 74 H5) off the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, approximately 1 kilometre walking distance north/east from the Upper Ferntree Gully Train Station.

Created in the early 1900s the 1000 Steps Walk was originally made from the trunks of tree ferns laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier. These were replaced by wooden palings before the more permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.

The Victorian veterans of the Kokoda campaign adopted this park as their memorial site in 1998. The similarity of the walk to the first 100 metres of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea resulted in the establishment of the 14 plaques along the walk, dedicated to those Australian Military Forces who fought and died on Kokoda. The 1000 steps represent the “Golden Staircase” a name given by Australian soldiers to the 2000 steps cut by the Australian Army Engineers and others into the track between Uberi and Imita Ridge.

The ‘Kokoda Track Memorial Walk’ represents an area of historical significance and every effort by us all should be undertaken to retain this heritage. Observe the plaques depicting the lives of those who fought and died on the trail during the Kokoda campaign in 1942 and take all your rubbish home with you, only leave footprints!

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The 1000 Steps Community Users is a community managed page providing the latest updates, information and discussion about the 1000 Steps Trail in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Dandenong Ranges National Park is managed by Parks Victoria who can be contacted by phone on 13 1963 or online www.parks.vic.gov.au