1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

Last updated August 2026

A 5km, roughly 2-hour loop up a steep, stepped trail through Dandenong Ranges rainforest, built as a memorial to the 625 Australian soldiers killed in the WWII Kokoda campaign - plaques with real accounts line the path, giving older kids something to actually read and think about, not just walk past. It's genuinely steep in sections and better suited to school-aged kids than toddlers, though younger ones can manage it with plenty of stops. What to Bring Water, snacks, sturdy shoes Time - budget the full 2 hours plus breaks Best Age Range 6-17 years - a real hike with steep steps, not a stroller-friendly walk. Good to Know Free, no booking. Toilets, water taps and a cafe at the Ferntree Gully Picnic Area car park, plus a playground right at the start for kids to burn energy before or after.