Forgotten World Highway

A short but slow scenic crossing of the central-west North Island, best treated as a half-day road trip.

Time to Drive: Allow up to 3 hours of driving time for the 148 km, plus stops for photos, the tunnel and short walks.

Best Time to Go: Spring to autumn is easiest for daylight and settled weather. After rain, shaded corners and narrow sections can still feel tricky even though the route was fully sealed in early 2025.

Getting there: Most people start in Stratford (in Taranaki) and finish in Taumarunui (in the King Country). It works well as a point-to-point drive between the west coast and the central North Island.

Costs: No tolls are mentioned for this route. Budget for fuel, snacks and any accommodation if you break the trip.

Road conditions: New Zealand State Highway 43 is narrow and winding in places, with three saddles and tight gorges. It was long known for an unsealed section in Tangarakau Gorge, but sealing was completed in February 2025; drive to the conditions and expect limited shoulders.

New Zealand State Highway 43 - better known as the Forgotten World Highway - runs 148 km from Stratford in Taranaki to Taumarunui in the King Country. It threads through rugged countryside with a string of small settlements including Toko, Douglas, Te Wera, Pohukura, Strathmore, Whangamōmona, Marco, Koruatahi, Tahora and Tatu.

The route climbs three saddles - Strathmore Saddle, Whangamōmona Saddle and Tahora Saddle - and carries you into some of the North Island’s most secluded hill country. A key landmark is the Moki Tunnel (also called “Hobbit’s Hole”), with the dramatic walls of Tangarakau Gorge (just under 60 m high) close by.

A lot of the “forgotten” character comes from the railway era: in the 1920s the Stratford-Okahukura Line was built, and many local ghost towns date from those days. The road also passes through the self-declared Republic of Whangamomona, created in 1989 after district boundary changes pushed the locality out of Taranaki.

• **Stratford to Toko ** Start from Stratford and roll out into dairy country before the road begins to tighten and climb.
• **Toko to Douglas ** Small rural settlements and increasingly hilly terrain set the tone for the more remote middle section.
• **Douglas to Strathmore ** The drive starts to feel properly “back of beyond” as you approach the climb over Strathmore Saddle.
• **Strathmore to Whangamōmona ** Cross another saddle and drop into the best-known stop on the highway - the self-styled Republic of Whangamomona.
• **Whangamōmona to Moki Tunnel ** About 14 km past Whangamōmona you reach the Moki Tunnel (“Hobbit’s Hole”), a classic photo stop.
• **Moki Tunnel to Tangarakau Gorge ** Near the tunnel is the turn-off for Mount Damper Falls; soon after, the road enters Tangarakau Gorge with its steep walls.
• **Tangarakau Gorge to Tahora ** Continue through narrow, winding sections; the highway’s final sealing was completed in February 2025 but the road can still feel tight.
• **Tahora to Taumarunui ** The last leg eases out toward Taumarunui, with the option of a side trip to Ōhura (about 10 km off the highway).

Allow for a slow drive in any season: the route is only 148 km but takes up to 3 hours because it crosses rugged countryside and multiple saddles. Spring through autumn generally gives you more daylight and better conditions for stopping at places like Moki Tunnel and Tangarakau Gorge.

Safety matters here. New Zealand State Highway 43 has been ranked by Police among the 10 worst roads in New Zealand, and it remains narrow in places. Tangarakau Gorge was historically slippery when it was gravel; even with sealing completed in early 2025, take extra care in wet weather, on blind corners and wherever the road narrows.

The highway runs point-to-point between Stratford and Taumarunui, so you can start from either end depending on your wider North Island plan. Many travellers base themselves in Taranaki and drive from Stratford toward Taumarunui for an easy onward connection into the central North Island.

For vehicle hire, look in the larger centres you are already travelling through (rather than expecting options in the tiny settlements along the road). If you do not want to backtrack, plan a one-way itinerary that finishes in Taumarunui and continues on with your trip from there.

The highway is a public state highway; check with vehicle‑hire companies or local authorities for any rental restrictions or access rules. The route is not described as tolled, so your main costs are fuel and time.

If you are hiring a car or campervan, choose something you are comfortable placing on narrow roads with tight corners and limited shoulders. Drive to the conditions, expect patchy mobile coverage, and do not rely on frequent services between Stratford and Taumarunui.

If you want to split the drive or linger, the classic overnight is Whangamōmona, which sits right on the highway and makes a natural midpoint. Stratford and Taumarunui are the practical end-point bases, with more choice for accommodation and supplies.

Because the settlements along the highway are small, do not assume you can find a room at short notice during busy periods - plan ahead if you are aiming to stay in Whangamōmona rather than at either end.