Introduction About Us Trout Fishing Tramping / Hiking Mountain Biking Whanganui River Tongariro National Park The Forgotten Highway Skiing / Snowboarding Other Activities How to find Us Accommodation info Specials / Packages Tours Links Gallery Contact Us Bookmark this Site   © Forest Lodge 2004 Home > The Forgotten Highway   The Forgotten Highway   The Forgotten World Highway takes travellers on an intriguing, history rich tour of New Zealand's Maori and colonial heritage. Running between Stratford and Taumarunui, this 155km highway threads it way through pristine sub-tropical rainforests and past more than 30 sites of significant interest. This was the first heritage trail created in New Zealand, and each site is signposted and gives descriptive heritage details.   Travellers can drive the Highway in less than 3 hours, or take their time to explore such man-made treasures as riverboat landing sites, two road tunnels, villages that have retained their unique character of last century, and disused coal mines, flour mills and brick kilns.   Natural wonders include Mt Damper Falls, the highest waterfall in the North Island, great stands of virgin rain-forest and spectacular saddles with panoramic views.   Key Information:       Travelling distance: 155kms including 11km of unsealed road. Travelling time: 2.5 hours by car, 3 to 3.5 hours by camper van. Petrol / diesel: Available at Stratford and Taumarunui - so fill up at the start of the journey. Accommodation: Travelling from Stratford north and after spending a very enjoyable day exploring The Forgotten Highway with spectacular views and beautiful New Zealand back country why not enjoy a warm and comfy stay with Forest Lodge. We offer a quiet country village setting. Forest Lodge is half ~ way between Auckland ~ Wellington on state highway 4, 30 minutes from Mt.Ruapehu. Forest Lodge is a "stones throw" from Tongariro National Park and the Whanganui National Park. The Forgotten World Highway can also be experienced as a day trip from forest lodge we offer first hand knowledge and experience. We have Lodge/Backpacker ~ Motel and Cottage accommodation available. Rates from: B/Packer $18 pp to $22 pp. Motel from $65 double. Cottages $75 double. All accommodation has linen supplied, full cooking facilities and laundry, fully self contained and serviced units as well. Food: Whangamomona has meals at the pub/hotel and great views and food at Kaieto Cafe`,Tahora saddle, half way through the trip.             Heritage Sites driving from Stratford to Taumarunui     Click a number on the map for more information.     1. Whakaahurangi Maori Trail       At a starting point for the Forgotten World Highway, there is a large sign giving travellers full information and a map illustrating all site locations along the route. The Whakaahurangi Maori Trail was a major route for Maori between North and South Taranaki through the dense rainforest. The point of crossing by the Kahouri River has been marked by the Historic Places Trust. Return to Map             2. Douglas Village       In many ways a typical South Taranaki village of early European settlement origins, Douglas flourished and waned since the first land clearing and settlement around 1890. It began to decline with the closure of its dairy factory and store.   3. Douglas Brick Kiln   The Douglas Brick Kiln is classified with the Historic Places Trust. It closed in 1981 after 60 years of production turning local clay firstly into bricks and then later into tiles. Its once proud, 33m (100ft) high chimney over the kiln was demolished in 1985 for safety reasons. Return to Map             4. Strathmore Saddle       This saddle provides a great vantage point to view four mountains - Mt Egmont/Taranaki to the West, and Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe to the East. The saddle lies close to a fault line and in the surrounding hills there is evidence of "Shell Rock" containing fossils of marine life deposited when the land was the ocean floor millions of years ago. The Shell Rock was also used for road making.   Return to Map             5. Makahu Tunnel       The recently upgraded Makahu Tunnel was first opened in 1907. It collapsed in 1919 and was then re-opened in 1921. On a side trail, the tunnel gives access to the Makahu and Puniwhakau Valleys and a large tract of the Whanganui National Park. Surrounding the tunnel is the Kirai Scenic Reserve. Return to Map             6. Aotuhia (Bridge To Somewhere)       From Strathmore village (via the Brewer and Upper Mangaehu Roads) a side trail leads to the Aotuhia area. This isolated valley was first settled in the 1900s with access to the Whanganui River. The road crosses the "Bridge to Somewhere" which was built in 1937 and is a similar design to the Mangapurua Valley "Bridge to Nowhere". Allow one and a half hours return (to SH 43) for this scenic back-country drive. Return to Map             7. Te Wero       This site was an early transitory settle for Maori. The Te Wero Forest Lodge and Recreational Camp has nearby walking tracks, and are close to an historic quarry of shell rock and the Te Wero arboretum. The Te Wero Forest covers 6500 hectares.   Return to Map             8. Pohokura Saddle       On an old Taumata-Mahoe Maori track, the saddle provides a view of the valley used as a large railway construction campsite for the Pohokura Tunnel. There are three major Taranaki watersheds nearby - the Waitara, Patea and Whanganui. Return to Map             9. 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. Return to Map             10. 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 Whangamomona 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. The sheer popularity of Republic Day has escalated over the years, with a new theme embraced each time. Two years ago it was the gunslinger era, today flappers and gangsters. Plans for 2007 include a M.A.S.H. re-enactment - a good excuse to have three tanks roll into town. Return to Map             11. Tahora Saddle       Another great vantage point to view a prominent Maori Pa, railway tunnels and the Central North Island mountains. Kaieto Cafe is also situated on the Saddle. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the cafe located on the highest point on the highway. We have a 4 berth cabin with tea and coffee making facilities and a room in the main buiding which sleeps 2.   Phone/Fax: (06) 762 5858 Email: kaietocafe@bitworks.co.nz Return to Map             12. Tangarakau Village       This was the sight of a substantial, early settlement of 1200 created by railway construction. Tangarakau gets it name from the "felled trees" cut down by the legendary chief Tamatea to repair his canoes on the Whanganui River. Return to Map             13. 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". Return to Map             14. Moki Forest       An 8km detour of 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. Return to Map             15. Mt 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. Return to Map             16. 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. Return to Map             17. The Tangarakau Gorge       This gorge is a most delightful scenic drive through the magnificent podocarp forest that still characterises the region. The signposted boundary between Stratford and Ruapehu Districts is in the gorge which was mined in several locations for coal. Return to Map             18. Tatu Coal Mine Village       Four houses, a school and hall were located near here for the workers of a nearby coal mine. The larger settlement of Puketihi, with 30 houses, post office, store, two teacher school and reticulated water supply was located 4km up Waro road. Return to Map             19. Tatu State Coal Mine       The mine entrance is situated 6.5km up Waro Road which is unsuitable for vehicles but does provide a pleasant walk, allow a couple of hours for a round trip. Return to Map             20. 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. Return to Map             21. 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. Return to Map             22. 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 the hostilities. The houseboat 'Makere' was moored here from 1904 to 1929 to accommodate tourists from Pipiriki to Taumarunui. A return walk of about 20 minutes leads to a viewing platform of the Ohura Falls. Return to Map             23. Papa Drive       This is an example of one of the many 'papa drives' built throughout the Taumarunui district in the 1920's to form road culverts. Return to Map             24. Aorangi Flour Mill       William Moffatt, an unscrupulous individual, had the local Maori sign their land over to him on the pretext that they were gaining shares in a proposed flour mill. Moffett was reported to have defended the land with a loaded revolver. Consequently the flour 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. Return to Map             25. 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. Return to Map             26. Aukopae River Boat Landing       This locality was settled around the turn of the century by river boats which landed the cargos of settlers, livestock and provisions at the Aukopae Landing located just off to the left about 200m down Saddler Road. Return to Map             27. 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. Return to Map             28. 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. Return to Map             29. 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. Return to Map             30. Herlihy's Bluff       These are geologically interesting bluffs consisting of Mahoenui Mud stone which have caused major roading headaches until recent times. The original road was very narrow and dangerous. Return to Map             31. Taumarunui Township       Taumarunui has great significance in both Maori and European history. Historically the junction of the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers, was the meeting point of three present day Maori tribes - the Whanganui River Tribes, the Maniapoto and Tuwharetoa tribes - who trace their lineage from four of the great migration canoes - the Aotea, Tokomaru, Tainui and Te Arawa. As a European settlement, it owes its origin to its position on the Whanganui River, and as a rest stop on the main-trunk railway line. Return to Map             Related Links: Tramping / Hiking | Links | Whanganui River | Scenic Rail | Photo Gallery