Our Spirit Content

I had the tremendous experience to hike the Kokoda Trail with Our Spirit. Our Spirit's leaders did an amazing job of bringing to life the key battles that happened along the way.

I can't tell how much it meant to me to do the Blackcat and what a privilage it was to trek with you and the legends

Your knowledge of the battles, the positioning of the opposing forces and the enthusiasm and knowledge with which you spoke was simply inspiring. Dad (Captain CDG Butler of the 2/14th Battalion) had spoken many times...

My trip was the culmination of a lifetime ambition to be there and pay my respects to all who fought on the track...

Aidan's passion and knowledge of/for the track made the whole experience a sensational holiday for me and our group.

I place Aidan Grimes on the same level as the authors, Peter Brune and Peter Fitzsimons with regard to making people aware of what took place on the track.

Your guidance and commentary was exemplary making this trip a culmination of a lifetime ambition to be there and pay my respects to all who fought on the track and in particular the 39th Battalion.

Your knowledge, enthusiasm and focus of the historical events and the personal sacrifice of the Australian soldiers on the track in 1942 constantly reminded us of their extraordinary commitment, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of Australia

Hear in explicit detail through descriptions, explanations, accounts and poetry about the hell our diggers went through in '42.

Little did I know how significant the approaching adventure was going to be when I received a phone call from NSW Police, kindly accepting my application to take part in the annual NSW Police and Police legacy ANZAC Kokoda expedition for 2008.

The big strides being achieved by Our Spirit have helped the business this week win the tourism, hospitality and recreation category of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards.

Overall I was honoured to do the track with such a professional company and will one day do it again! Thanks heaps - it has been a great journey!!

Looking at many of the groups along the way, it was just a trek, they were way too big, didn't get the history or the spiritual or emotional reason for being there. We were mate looking after mate...

I could not image doing it with any other group. Everything from juggling full time work and training, to being a mother of a two year old boy... walking in my grandfather’s footsteps it was truly the most amazing journey of my life.

To do the Kokoda Track and not hear the full and complete story of the hell the differs went through is a dreadful missed opportunity that some trackers face with other companies.

Our Spirit's leadership, passion, knowledge of the history and deep respect for the brave young kids from Australia who protected us and our way of life, combined to make the trek one of the best experiences I have had.

There were many positives with going with Our Spirit. The small group size was terrific for camaraderie... Our guide was exceptional! Our Spirit's knowledge of the track and of the history associated with it was first class.

The physical challenge gave me some perspective of how difficult it must have been for the Diggers, carrying a much heavier kit and fighting the Japanese at the same time.

The history and the way in which it was presented was fantastic - it gave me the feeling of what it may have been like for the young diggers.

An extract from an email received from the Dept. of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts sheds light on the issue