And as Australia celebrates ANZAC Day today, a group of young Mount Isan boys will look at the history of Papua New Guinea's 96 km Kokoda Trail with special significance.

In just two months that's where the seven boys, aged 11 to 17, will be - tackling one of the best-known trails in the world.

Jordan Pickering, 17, Riley Larkin, 16, Billy Atherinos, 16, Ben Allen, 16, Michael Maric, 16, Brodie Larkin, 14, and Casey Larkin, 11, will embark on one of the world's most challenging treks, the Kokoda Trail, linking the southern and northern coasts of Papua New Guinea.

The Kokoda Trail and Sogeri areas have a special history of bitter fighting between Australian and Japanese armies during World War II.

It was the scene of some of the bloodiest battles of the war, and the moderate trek takes up to 10 days to complete, depending on the fitness of the walkers.

Kokoda is a difficult walk with high temperatures and humidity, and prior training is recommended along with a thorough medical examination to verify your fitness before departure.

The youngest at 11 years of age, Casey Larkin, said: "I think it will be a long walk, but I'm excited and looking forward to trekking through the rainforest and jungle with everyone."

Eldest of the group, Jordan Pickering, 17, said while it would be a great experience to follow in the footsteps of the Aussie soldiers, he knows there is hard training ahead.

"We just ran up that hill behind us and I can tell you, just that is strenuous exercise to say the least," Jordan said.

"We'll be training real hard very soon, doing lots of walking, running, gym work and up and downhill work.

"Mount Isa has it all out here in the bush to practise at."

The Kokoda trail passes through rugged mountainous country of rainforest, jungles, but it hasn't got mum Toni Boucher worried.

Ms Boucher completed the Kokoda Trail last year with her brother and a group of friends and came up with the idea for the boys to gain a great life experience like no other.

"Many of these soldiers were not much older than some of these boys yet many of our youth don't know the significance of this history.

"It will also teach them confidence and to never give up even when the going gets tough - and these hills are going to get tough."

n Anzac Day services, Page 3