Nine Australians including a father and daughter have died after their plane crashed in dense Papua New Guinea jungle on the way to the iconic Kokoda Track.

They were among 13 people on the Airlines of Papua New Guinea flight CG4684 that went down just north of the village of Isurava in dense and rugged terrain more than 5,000 feet above sea level.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd expressed his sadness over how the adventure of a lifetime had turned into a horrible tragedy for all involved.

On Wednesday afternoon, he confirmed the deaths in parliament, saying it was his "sad duty" to reveal there were no survivors from the flight.

"This is distressing news for all families of those concerned," Mr Rudd said.

Two of the nine Australians were a father and a daughter from the same family.

Mr Rudd conveyed the thoughts and the prayers of the parliament and the nation to the families and friends of those killed in the "tragic disaster".

All eight families have been informed about the loss of their loved ones.

The 13 people aboard the flight included a Japanese national and three Papua New Guineans.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Australia's high commissioner had advised him with a "heavy heart" that PNG police on the ground had confirmed that there were "no survivors" just before 1pm (AEST) on Wednesday.

Seven Victorians and two Queenslanders intending to walk the track with the No Roads Expeditions trekking company were on the plane that went down in the Owen Stanley ranges.

One member of the group is understood to be Matthew Leonard, 28, a Victorian fireman and part-time tour guide.

He is the son of WA police inspector Bill Leonard, a police spokesman said."

Malvern East fire brigade station officer Warren Rickard said Mr Leonard's crew - firefighters work with the same crew each shift - were shocked by the news.

"His shift firefighters are doing it pretty tough today," he told AAP.

"He has been working here for 12 months, has only been in the job two years, is a great guy and as fit as a fiddle.

Another firefighter, CFA volunteer and dairy farmer Max Cranwell, 66, from Hazelwood North in Gippsland in Victoria's east, was also on the plane with his daughter Leanne Harris, a 35-year-old mother of two.

CFA operations manager Greg Flynn said Mr Cranwell was a well liked and highly respected life member of his local CFA brigade and a long-time resident of the area," he said.

Other Australian members of the group are believed to be Kelly Weire, Max Harris, Euan Comrie and Peter Holliday.

Peter Holliday, 28, of Bendigo was on his way with his cousin Euan Comrie of Moe to walk the Kokoda Track in a tribute to his veteran grandfather.

Mr Holliday, a 28-year-old bank departmental manager, leaves a shattered wife Shonia and two young children.

Mr Comrie, a husband and father in his 30s, was a social worker by day but at night he was a brilliant actor, director and president for Moe's community theatre group, MoArtz.

MoArtz secretary Sharon Anderson told AAP that Mr Comrie had planned the trip for a long time.

"It was a dream, it was something he looked forward to," Ms Anderson said.

"He went over there with a family member in tribute to another family member who actually walked the Kokoda Track as a prisoner during the war.

"It was really a special thing for him. That was his link and why he went.

"He was well prepared and really keen to do this knowing the difficulties involved in walking the Kokoda track. It was something he really wanted to do."

Ms Anderson said Mr Comrie had always been on the look out for a challenge, just as he had been with MoArtz when it came to directing and starring in local theatrical plays.

"He used to do comedy plays. He was a fabulous comedian. He would get up there and play the role so well.

"He was just well loved and respected by everybody.

"You couldn't say a bad word about Euan, he was just wonderful."

Heartbroken relatives and friends of Hannah Kinross who died in the PNG plane crash have described the young Melbourne woman as a "hero".

Ms Kinross, from Belgrave South in Melbourne's outer east, was a former Deakin University student who ran health programs for the Migrant Information Centre in the eastern suburbs.

It has been reported Ms Kinross had been travelling with Kelly Weire, who is also believed to have been killed. The Weire family has asked for privacy.

Ms Kinross' family and friends left condolence messages on her Facebook page on Wednesday, declaring she would be "forever in our hearts".

"Our darling girl hannah, was involved in a plane crash in papua new guinea on 11th august 2009, and we have been informed that she has not survived," her mother wrote.

"We would to thank all of her friends around the world for being part of her wonderful life, and giving her much love and happiness. she will always be remembered and forever in our hearts. we love you hannah. love mum dad and adam."

Her brother, Adam, said he would never forget his sister.

"REST IN PEACE my darling sister. i will forever love you and will always in my heart. my love always your little bro love adam," he wrote.

Her friend Jess Durnian encapsulated the thoughts of many of her friends.

"Our darling hannah... always thinking of everyone but you and doing everything for everyone.. taken way too soon. you are a hero in all of our eyes.. sweet dreams beautiful girl.. i love you xxx."

Local guide Steven Jaruba of Kokoda was also reportedly on board the ill-fated plane, along with a Japanese tourist and two local pilots, one of whom was believed to be a woman.

The tour group that ran the ill-fated trip to PNG's Kokoda Track has expressed its "deepest sympathies" to the families of the trekkers who lost their lives.

Melbourne-based tour company No Roads Expeditions released a statement on Wednesday after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd confirmed the worst.

"On behalf of all our staff, No Roads Expeditions extends our deepest sympathies to the family, loved ones and all the friends of those on board the Airlines Papua New Guinea flight that has crashed on its way to Kokoda on Tuesday morning, leaving no survivors," the statement said.

"We especially mourn Matthew Leonard, who led tours as a contractor for No Roads Expeditions. Matthew was on board the Airlines Papua New Guinea flight with a tour group of eight other Australians, on their way to walk the Kokoda Track.

"Matthew was a popular member of our team, he was well loved and respected by all the PNG Porters and Guides, and we will all miss him terribly.

"Matthew has been contracting for No Roads Expeditions for two years. He had received extensive training, including a trip to Kokoda as a trainee guide. This was to be his second trip to Kokoda.

"Our thoughts are with Matthew's family, friends and loved ones, and with the loved ones of all those who have died in this terrible tragedy.

"We hope that the community will join us in respecting the privacy of Matthew's family, and the privacy of the families of all those who have lost their lives.

"No Roads Expeditions will continue to support its own staff, and the Australian government as it provides grief counselling to the families of the passengers.

Meanwhile, Joseph Kintau director of PNG's Civil Aviation Authority says a helipad is being constructed at the site so choppers can land near the wreckage.

"I can't recall anything worse, this could be the worst crash for PNG."

Mr Kintau said it would be difficult to recover the bodies.

"It's difficult terrain, it's a big challenge to fly there, we never pretend it's not going to be challenging," he said



May They All Rest In Peace...

Apparently the pilot only had 6mths experience.