Australians have been barred from making their way along the historic Kokoda Trail, after local villagers blocked the path.

It marks the site of one of Australia’s most significant military engagements.

But earlier this month it’s been reported local landowners formed a human blockade across the track.

Australian Kokoda Tours director Mick O’Malley says there are two issues, including some tour operators failing to get their foreign certification.

“The other one is that the community, traditional resource custodians over there haven’t received some of their ward payments from the permit fees.”

He says the Australian trekking companies have no say in where that money goes, it’s up to the government.

He was among the groups stopped on the track.

“They said to us that we don’t have anything against you trekking companies, but by stopping you trekking the word is going to get out, and the government will listen to us, and that’s exactly what happened.”

The local landowners even apologised to the group for holding them up.

Mr O’Malley says he doesn’t believe the dispute will stop Australians from trekking on the 80th anniversary of the World War II campaign.

Press PLAY below to hear more and why he’s hopeful it will be sorted out

Image: Getty iStock