Life-changing adventures grow nearer for 10 brave Indigenous youngsters handpicked to take one of the most gruelling treks in the world.

The cohort are among a group of 22 aged between 15-25 at the Y WA, selected for its 2024 Kokoda Leadership and Development Program.

The group recently finished its second three-day training camp at the Manjedal Activity Centre in Karrakup, south-west of Perth, as they prepare mentally and physically to conquer the legendary Kokoda Trail, a challenging path winding through the heart of Papua New Guinea's rainforest.

The group of 22 includes three Indigenous mentors, whose extra responsibility will continue their development as leaders, guiding and empowering the next generation on the trail, which they completed in 2023.

The recent Karrakup camp was a make-or-break moment for participants, with each of them challenged physically and mentally to ensure they were ready for the intense 96km trek through dense jungle over the Owen Stanley Ranges.

For many of the Indigenous cohort, catching a plane to PNG will be an incredible feat in itself, with many leaving their respective remote WA communities for the first time.

Fitness levels were tested at the camp, with trekkers undertaking obstacle courses and two hikes, one of them a five-hour, 14km walk through the Kitty Gorge Trail.

They also covered off day-to-day planning for the adventure, as well as participating in team-building exercises and plenty of self-reflection about the journey so far, and what laid ahead.

Aboriginal mentor Nita Bin-Hitam, 17, said she felt more prepared this year after taking on the challenge through last year's program.

"I'm learning from my past mistakes," she said.

"Some of the things I'll help the others with are making sure they buy the pineapples, that's the first thing.

"And every time they take a break, check the scenery a little… because the country is also changing, with rainstorms or landslides on the track, which we will have to navigate."

The Newman teenager said she fell in love with the country on the trek last year.

"I just want to see the new young people go through that, and see how they change from the camps to doing the track," she said.

"I want them to go at their own pace as well, and just always have fun while they're doing it."

Yamatji teen Tehniesha Yorkshire is a Kokoda Trail first timer and said she was grateful for the opportunity.

"It's a great experience... I have a mentor from my school and she's very supportive, she helps a lot… picking me up to go training with her, like walking, going to the gym and leg exercises," she said.

The 15-year-old from Kalgoorlie in the northern Goldfields said she wanted to do the Kokoda program because it was a unique opportunity and one that would help build her self-confidence.

"I feel like this program benefits young people mentally and socially," she said.

"I have already built some friendships, I feel more confident, and it's helped my body a lot as well.

"I didn't know I could do that much walking and hiking."

The Y WA chief executive officer, Tim McDonald, was at the camp and said it gave invaluable insight on how participants will react on the trail.

"I was blown away by how far many of them have come," he said.

"You need to be training a minimum of two times a week for the trail, and I can see most of them are putting in that effort, which will do them wonders come trekking time."

Guided by expert advice from Kokoda Courage, participants have now been told to up their training to three times a week as they prepare for the tough trek through massive mountain ranges over nine days in extreme heat, humidity and mud.

"This program is aimed at developing aspiring leaders for the future, promoting resilience, teamwork and a sense of community," Dr McDonald said.

"I can see all those qualities shining through already."

The 22 participants will hike for eight days, ranging from 12-19km on each, over steep and arduous terrain through a diverse and beautiful rainforest.

Besides the spectacular landscape featuring glorious mountain rangers and pristine rivers, they will also experience a variety of traditional cultures of people who live along the track.