Forgotten World… Highway!
I decided to continue with my “drive” writing about scenic driving routes in New Zealand, and today it is about the Forgotten World Highway. In my two previous articles I described the Thermal Explorer Highway and the Southern Scenic Route
“Forgotten World” describes very good the places that you ‘ll drive through should you decide on choosing this route, but “Highway” doesn’t. Forgotten World Highway is pretty narrow and winding road that goes through very beautiful scenery.
photo by Rich Childs
Most of this road winds through beech forests and beautiful green hills going up and down, revealing tranquil and peaceful views that actually do look as if they belong to a forgotten by most of the people world. Most of the chances that there won’t be much traffic either.
Ok, and now for a little bit more detailed description for the those of you who scrupulously design your traveling itinerary ☺
Forgotten World’s Highway logo looks like this:
The route lies on the North Island winding from Stratford in the Taranaki district, to Taumarunui in the Central Plateau region (or vice-versa). If you are in a hurry you can drive the whole route in three hours, but then, if you are in a hurry don’t drive there since it will be just a waste of your time. You have to take your time in order to truly feel and experience the “Forgotten” part of it.
Route Description
The distance from Stratford to Taumarunui is 150 kilometers, which includes 25 meters of unsealed road from the foot of Tahora Saddle to Tatu. Toilets located at Ohura, Whangamomona Hotel, Ohinepa Recreation Reserve and Whangamomona Hotel Camping Grounds at: Ohinepa Recreation Reserve, Tangarakau, Moki Forest, Te Wera Forest Camp. There are also several places that you can spend the night at along the route.
Important! There are no petrol stations on the Forgotten World Highway, and the closest places to fill the fuel tank are at Stratford or Taumarunui.
Route’s Highlights
I will describe very briefly the highlights of this route:
Stratford has New Zealand’s only glockenspiel, in Douglas you will find historic Douglas brick kiln, from Strathmore Saddle, if the weather is good you will see Mountains Taranaki, Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu, and Tongariro. Here, I have to say that though all these mountains look great, the view of mount Taranaki was absolutely stunning to my taste. It has almost perfect cone and looks so majestic with the snow cap on its peak… you just have to wait for the right weather and see it!
Mt. Taranaki (Mt. Egmont) photo by PhillipC
Additional highlights are Whangamomona (a republic within NZ), Moki and Makahu tunnels, Mount Damper Falls (NZ’s second highest waterfall), Joshua Morgan’s Grave, and more.
Whangamomona
From all the highlights described above, I would like to point out the Whangamomona. The residents of this tiny settlement declared Whangamomona a republic in 1989 after disapproving of local government plans to shift the area’s district boundaries. Since that time every two years, in January Whangamomona celebrate its Republic Day. Thousands of visitors gather there to receive their Whangamomona passport. Some interesting events take place at the Whangamomona Republic Day, such as sheep-racing and whip-cracking. The main event of this day is town’s new president election! … among former presidents were a poodle and a goat.
photo by Robyn Gallagher
Summary
To summarize the Forgotten World Highway, it is a great route. It is nice to stop at the highlights of it, but even if you don’t want to do that, just driving slowly through the scenery and stopping for picnic or meditation would be sufficient to get a total satisfaction.
photo by Rich Childs
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