1000 Steps

At the end of Term 3, Year 10 students participated in a bush walk of the 1000 steps Kokoda Track at the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (incorporating the 1000 Steps walk) is a 3.0km walk, taking approximately 1.5hrs return. This steep walk was created in the early 1900’s; the 1000 Steps Walk was originally made from tree fern trunks laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier. These were replaced by wooden palings, and more permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.

The 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 fourteen plaques along the walk, dedicated to the 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 is undertaken to retain this heritage. The 1000 Steps are very popular with people exercising.

Students completed the walk to kick start their fitness program beginning in Term 4. They definitely gave their aerobic system a work out :)