The occupation of deserted Kokoda and its airfield on November 2nd greatly eased the supply pressure on the advancing Australian troops, but both the 25th and 16th Brigades were in poor condition after their march across the Kokoda Track. Unwilling to lose the race to the beaches at Buna and Gona to the American 32nd Division advancing along the north coast of Papua, the Australians pushed forward with the 16th Brigade moving along the main trail to the Kumisi River through Oivi. But the Japanese had decided to make a final stand in the jungle, sending the rested and resupplied 41st Regiment forward from the beachhead.

Looking ahead to the battles at the beachhead, the Australian leadership kept their attack conservative, merely an attempt to break the will of the Japanese defenders. The Japanese did not break and the day ended with no advance or change in the initial positions. Lt. Gen. George Vasey, commanding the 7th Division, decided to send the 25th Battalion along another set of trails and into the Japanese rear at Gorari while adding the 2/2nd to 16th Brigade's attack on the second day.