Touring Routes-Forgotten World Highway

The Forgotten World Highway (State Highway 43) is a heritage trail that runs between Taumarunui and Stratford.

Winding over four mountain saddles, through the 180 metre one-way Moki tunnel and along the spectacular Tangarakau Gorge. Visitors can  explore historic sites and enjoy scenic walks and views of the four mountains Taranaki, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu making it a unique and enjoyable one-day drive.

For your convenience download the latest Forgotten World Highway brochure or call into your nearest i-SITE information centre for a copy.

Forgotten World Highway Brochure Adobe Acrobat Document: 1.42 MB, 3.5 minutes @ 56kbps

Note: Although the Forgotten World Highway is only 150 kilometres long, there are no  petrol stations along the way, so be sure to fill up your tank before you set out.

Historic sites, short walks and activities along the way include:

Herlihy’s Bluffs
These are geologically interesting bluffs consisting of Mahoenui Mudstone which have caused major roading headaches until recent times. The original road was very narrow and dangerous.

Te Maire Reserve
This reserve has a magnificent podocarp forest area very close to the River Road and provides interesting walks of up to three hours duration. Access is gained by driving over the unmistakable Te Maire Bridge.

Otunui River Boat Landing
The Otunui Landing was used by the settlers in the local district both for transportation and as a popular picnic spot in the days when the Whanganui River was the main means of travel. The original track to the landing is still visible and is marked.

Nukunuku Museum
The museum is owned by the Erceg family and has an interesting collection of memorabilia from pioneering days. The museum is open by appointment only. Ph 07 896 6365.

Aukopae River Boat Landing
This locality was settled around the turn of the century by riverboats that landed the cargoes of settlers, livestock and provisions at the Aukopae Landing located just off to the left about 200m down Saddler Road.

Aukopae Tunnel
This road cutting was constructed in 1968 making redundant a tunnel started before World War 1 but not finished until about 1923. There is walking access to the old tunnel by following the track through the reserve on the opposite side of the road. Allow 45 minutes return.

Aorangi Flour Mill
William Moffatt, an unscrupulous individual, had the local Maori sign their land over to him on the pretext they were gaining shares in a proposed flour mill. Moffatt was reported to have defended the land with a loaded revolver. Consequently the mill was never built and trenches that were dug to carry water from the Opetea Stream to the mill have long since been filled in.

Papa Drive
This is an example of one of many ‘papa drives’ built throughout the Taumarunui district in the 1920s to form road culverts.

Maraekowhai Reserve (Whanganui National Park)
The site has considerable significance in Maori and early European history. It was a strong hold for rebellious Hauhau warriors. A war pole ‘Rongo nui’ was built in 1864 to call all warriors to war. The peace pole ‘Rere Kore’ was erected at the end of hostilities. The houseboat ‘Makere’ was moored here from 1904 to 1929 to accommodate tourists travelling from Pipiriki to Taumarunui. A return walk of about 20 minutes leads to a viewing platform of the Ohura Falls.

Nevins Lookout
Panoramic views of the Taranaki and Central North Island Mountains of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro can be gained from the hill through the gate just down the road. Please ensure that the gate is shut behind you when entering and leaving.

Ohura Museum
Ohura is located 10km off the highway and its excellent museum gives an insight into its pioneering history and days as a thriving coal-mining town. If the museum is closed, directions for obtaining the key are on the door.

Tatu State Coal Mine
The mine entrance is situated 6.5km up Waro Road and is unsuitable for vehicles but does provide a pleasant walk. Allow a couple of hours for a round trip.

Tatu Coal Mine Village
Four houses, a school and hall were located near here for the workers of a nearby coalmine. The larger settlement of Puketihi, with 30 houses, post office, store, two-teacher school and reticulated water supply was located 4km up Waro Road.

The Tangarakau Gorge
This gorge is a most delightful scenic drive through the magnificent podocarp forest that still characterises the region. The boundary signposted between Stratford and Ruapehu Districts is in the gorge, which was mined in several locations for coal.

Morgan’s Grave
The resting place of respected early surveyor, Joshua Morgan, who died of suspected peritonitis in 1892, aged 35. There is a short walkway through the bush to his grave, which is considered a memorial to the efforts of these early pioneer surveyors.

Mount Damper Falls (85M)
The falls are around 20 minutes walk through farmland from the road. As one of the highest waterfalls in the North Island, it is a spectacular sight – particularly after heavy rainfall. The falls are surrounded by native bush and spill over a horseshoe shaped papa bluff. The stream is a tributary of the Tongaporutu River.

Moki Forest
An 8km detour off the highway takes one to this mature virgin forest, which also includes some of the fastest regenerating native bush in New Zealand. Walking tracks and old milling roads traverse the forest which is home to the endangered Kokako bird. Toilets and a caravan-parking site have been installed.

Moki Tunnel
180m in length and built in 1936, unique fossils were found when the tunnel was dug. The tunnel is also known as “Hobbits Hole”.

Tangarakau Village
A brief but worthwhile detour. Take the first turn right after Tahora Village and follow the Raekohua Road for 6km. This was the site of a substantial, early settlement of 1200 created by railway construction. Tangarakau gets its name from the “felled trees” cut down by the legendary chief Tamatea to repair his canoes on the Whanganui River.

Tahora Saddle
This is another great vantage point to view. You will see a prominent Maori Pa, railway tunnels and the Central North Island mountains.

Whangamomona Village
First settled in 1895, this small village has a Historic Places Trust precinct rating. A separate historic walking trail around the village details 17 sites including the historic hotel. The Village flourished until the great 1924 flood triggered the start of its decline. Whangamomona’s famous ‘Republic Day’ is held in January to celebrate the community’s protest in 1989 against regional government boundary changes, which took Whnagamomona out of the Taranaki region. The community declared itself a ‘Republic’ and the Republic Day attracts thousands of people who arrive by car, bus and train to join the festivities.

Whangamomona Saddle
The saddle provides spectacular views of the original rainforest land cover that confronted early surveyors and pioneer settlers. A three-hour forest-walking trail takes one into a unique beech and podocarp forest.