After learning about the arrival of the cyclone, I still wanted to go in the direction of Mount Teranaki, actually with the plan of an ascent. That this would become nothing more was actually completely clear. So I drove again in the direction of Lake Taupo, until I learned during my lunch break of the Forgotten World Highway, which would lead directly to Mount Teranaki. For me, of course, it was clear to drive this road.
Deep in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island lies a road less traveled, a journey through rugged hills, misty valleys, and echoes of the past – the Forgotten World Highway (State Highway 43). Stretching 148 kilometers between Stratford in Taranaki and Taumarunui in the King Country, this winding road is more than just a route – it’s an adventure into history, isolation, and landscapes that feel untouched by time. In this video, we take you along the Forgotten World Highway, discovering its highlights, hidden corners, and the sense of mystery that gives the road its name.
Leaving Stratford, with Mount Taranaki looming in the distance, the highway soon takes you away from modern life and into another world. The road winds through steep saddles, past remote farms, and into valleys where native bush cloaks the hillsides. The scenery is wild and ever-changing – one moment open farmland, the next dense forest dripping with moss. Cell reception fades quickly, and you begin to understand why this highway is called “forgotten.”
The route is divided into four saddles, each offering breathtaking viewpoints and a sense of adventure: Strathmore Saddle, Whangamomona Saddle, Tahora Saddle, and Heao Saddle. Each climb reveals sweeping vistas across rugged countryside, often with no sign of human habitation in sight. Driving here feels like stepping back in time – the road is narrow, winding, and in places even unsealed, adding to the thrill of the journey.
One of the highway’s most famous stops is the Republic of Whangamomona, a tiny settlement that declared itself independent in 1989 as a tongue-in-cheek protest against new district boundaries. Today, Whangamomona is a quirky highlight of the drive. Its pub serves as the unofficial capital, offering travelers hearty meals, friendly conversation, and the chance to stamp your passport for the “Republic.” Every two years, the town even hosts Republic Day, attracting crowds with sheep races, live music, and eccentric celebrations.
The Forgotten World Highway also carries layers of history. Once a key route for settlers and traders, the road today feels abandoned in parts, with ghostly reminders of its past. Old railway lines parallel sections of the road, now used by Forgotten World Adventures rail carts that offer another way to explore the region. Historic tunnels, like the 180-meter Moki Tunnel – nicknamed the “Hobbit’s Hole” – cut through sheer rock and add a sense of mystery to the drive.
Nature, too, makes its presence felt. The road passes through remote bushland alive with birdsong, crosses rivers where mist lingers in the morning light, and opens onto rolling green hills dotted with sheep and cattle. On a rainy day, waterfalls cascade down cliffsides, while in summer the valleys glow with golden grasses. Every bend in the highway reveals another hidden scene, another glimpse of New Zealand’s wilder heart.
Practical tips: Driving the Forgotten World Highway is an adventure best done slowly. The road is narrow, winding, and at times unsealed, so allow extra time and drive carefully. Fuel and services are scarce, so fill up before leaving Stratford or Taumarunui. The highway takes about four hours to drive without stops, but with so many viewpoints, trails, and towns to explore, it’s best to make a full day of it – or even stay overnight in Whangamomona.
The Forgotten World Highway is not about getting somewhere quickly. It’s about the journey itself – the thrill of being far from the crowds, the charm of a pub in a “republic,” the beauty of valleys untouched by development. It’s about the stories hidden in tunnels and railway lines, the laughter of locals who welcome you with warmth, and the feeling of traveling through a land where time seems to stand still.
For those willing to take the road less traveled, the Forgotten World Highway offers one of New Zealand’s most unique and unforgettable adventures. It’s a drive into the past, a landscape of contrasts, and a reminder that sometimes the most memorable journeys are the ones that lead you off the beaten track.
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