DAY 3 - ISURAVA BATTLEFIELD TO TEMPLETONS 2

Saturday 27 September

The group started today with a moving dawn service at the Isurava War Memorial and paid their respects to our returned and fallen soldier. They listened to some podcasts of the campaign of those who made the incredible and ultimate sacrifice, such men as Corporal John Metson, Charlie McCallum and Bruce Kingsbury.

Then it was time for “packs on” and the trekking day started. It has been incredibly wet along the trail recently, so the group are trekking very wet and slippery conditions.

They made their way to the “Surgeons Stone” where they had some lunch and listened to more incredible stories of the campaign and the extraordinary acts of heroism our soldiers performed.

They continued their trek through the village of Alola with incredible views across the valley to the small creek crossing. Then it was a short uphill hike for a break and then a long gradual ascent for a few hours to Eora Creek battle site. Here they left the track for a short side trail to see a Japanese ammunition dump. The trekkers discussed the forts defensive significance and how the battle to capture the fort occurred.

Then it was a long trek of undulating terrain with a few fallen trees across the track to Templeton’s 2 where the group have settled in for the night.