The Forgotten World Highway

Not all travelling adventures need to be to somewhere exotic.  Last week I enjoyed sampling a piece of the North Island’s history and scenery when Dad and I drove the Forgotten World Highway which runs between Taumarunui and Stratford.

The Highway is based on ancient Maori trade routes and pioneering farm tracks and is a wonderful way to see some of rural New Zealand.  There are information boards regarding the various sites along the way and there’s plenty of time to stop, read and absorb.

Heritage Information Board

One hundred and fifty-five kilometres long, 12 of those unsealed, the road goes up and over three saddles.  As you wind up and down the hills, or bowl along the road, passing motorists wave and you see glimpses of New Zealand as it was – small settlements, farms, abandoned houses, graves, farmland and native bush.

The paddle steamers used to come up here from Wanganui and Pipiriki but there’s no evidence of the landings now.  Opening in 1908 the Main Trunk Railway from Wellington to Auckland,  sounded the death knell for this type of transport.

About half way along, nestled in some native bush is the grave of Joshua Morgan who surveyed much of the area and died while doing so.  After a short walk through the bush and over a bridge you reach his grave – such a lovely, peaceful spot.

Joshua Morgan’s grave

We wondered what we’d come to when we saw Hobbit’s Hole, a narrow tunnel carved out of the rock, seemingly just narrow enough for a car to go through.  There’s no lighting inside the tunnel which adds to the feeling that you really are in a forgotten world.  A carload of tourists waited until they’d seen us go safely through before attempting it themselves.

Hobbit’s Hole

The township of Whangamomona is the biggest on the highway and declared itself a republic 12 years ago when boundary changes made it part of the Manawatu rather than Taranaki.  Efforts have been made to preserve the old buildings along the main street.  The general store has some interesting artefacts in its window and the pub has lots of photographs charting the area’s history and sports teams.

Post Office, Whangamomona

Whangamamona Hotel

The Forgotten World Highway is an entrancing drive and gives a glimpse into the rural New Zealand of yesteryear, but also today – a great way to see a slice of New Zealand’s history.

Bridge leading to Joshua Morgan’s grave