Lark Force Wilderness Track

The Lark Force Wilderness Track is an adventure of a lifetime experience that encompasses trekking through the Bainings mountain ranges in East New Britain Province.

This trek will lead you down a path that enriches your appreciation for the vastly remote culture that exists along the track namely the Bainings Tribes - Uramat, Mali and Simbali and down along the south coast towards Wide Bay - Mengen, Sulka and Tomoip Tribes.

The trek experience was named in honour of the Australian millitary garrison who were tragically left to escape a far superior Japanese army during their occupation of Rabaul in January 1942. This track is unlike Kokoda in that it is not aimed primarily at being a War time track. It is much more then that.... This is a track that has been initiated by the local indigenous people from the region and aims to promote their unique cultures and pristiine environs. They have genererously allowed their trek to be named after "Lark Force" to show that there is still a respect that Papua New Guineans show to those soldiers who died in the war.

The Bainings Story

In just over a week you will:

Visit remote villages in the Bainings mountain ranges and East Pomio region
Witness a traditional Fire Dance in a Bainings village
Raft down the Mevelo river and with some luck hook on to a PNG black bass
Visit a remote island community who survive on harvesting of coconut pal
Witness the turmoil experienced by members of Lark Force soldiers during their tragic escape from Rabaul in 1942
Stand at the base of an erupting volcano
Walk through the main street of a town known as the "Pompeii of the Pacific"
Search through a tunnel/honeycomb built by the Japanese during their 3 year occupation of Rabaul during WWII
Hook up to a marlin, mackeral or yellow fin tuna (With some luck!!)
Dive in crystal clear waters that boast up to 50m visibility

Click on one of the related links to find out more information or contact the team at SSH stating your expression of interest to be a part of the LFWT experience (Enquiry form below):

	LFWT Trek Package 10 Day/ 9 Night Tour to East New Britain Province, this is our standard LFWT Tour package that encompasses trekking along the LFWT, rafting down the Mevelo River, bluewater fishing and a thorough history (World War II, local culture, seismic) of Rabaul. For more information click on the picture (left) or this link>>
	Important information about the Trek Find out how best to prepare for the LFWT and what to expect on the trek and throughout the LFWT experience. For more information click on the picture (left) or this link>>
	Customise your LFWT Adventure To get the ultimate experience out of the LFWT why not consider some of SSH's pre-post tour options like Bluewater fishing, estaury fishing for PNG black bass, surfing at SSH's new surf lodge in New Ireland and many more..... For more information click on the picture (left) or this link>>
	History of the LFWT & the people Find out about the history of this intriguing development in Papua New Guinea and learn about the rich ancient cultures and traditions from the Bainings and East Pomio region. For more information click on the picture (left) or this link>>
	Military History Meet SSH-LFWT's inhouse voluntary historian - Chris Diercke who will take you on an educational tour about the heroism of the Lark Force soldiers during their tragic escape from Rabaul in January 1942. For more information click on the picture (left) or this link>>
	Trekkers Update and progress Whilst on the track, family and friends at home will be able to keep track of people they know who are on the LFWT. An update will be regularly placed on this page at the end of each day's trekking by way of satellite phone from the SSH-LFWT guide. For more information click on the picture (left) or this link>>
	Media and Testimonials SSH have been actively engaging film crews, journalists and other media outlets since the track's conception. You can view the various videos and journals written about the LFWT which includes a 4 piece story from the Channel 9 - Today Show. For more information click on the picture (left) or this link>>