Central Taranaki Tourism Network Incorporated ("CTTN")
custodians of
The Forgotten World
Where history, heritage, landscape and ‘old world’ New Zealand combine…
Stratford is one of New Zealand’s special places. Named after William Shakespeare’s birthplace – its streets are named after characters in 39 of his plays. With two national parks and a major heritage trail, (The Forgotten World Highway – SH43), within its boundaries, Stratford is a gateway to fun and adventure. Nestled beneath the slopes of the pristine Mount Taranaki. Stratford District welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year who come to enjoy the National Parks, the rich heritage, bountiful gardens and the unassuming and unspoilt district.
Stratford District
In the heart of Taranaki
The Forgotten World Highway
Running between Stratford and Taumarunui and enveloped in breathtaking countryside that’s hard to match elsewhere, the Forgotten World Highway takes intrepid travellers on an intriguing and historic trip through New Zealand’s Maori and colonial heritage. The 155km highway threads through time-frozen landscapes untamed by man’s repeated efforts to break it, sub-tropical rainforests and more than 20 sites of significant interest.
Forgotten is its name, but this route is really a journey of remembrance…a constant reminder of the determined settlers who tried – and sometimes failed – to scratch a living from its wild and isolated hill country. It’s no wonder this was New Zealand’s first Heritage Trail, with each of its special historic highlights signposted and explained along the way.
Drive the highway in less than three hours, or take your time to explore the fusion of nature with man…riverboat landing sites, road tunnels, disused coal mines, mills, brick kilns and sleepy villages instilled with the character of yesteryear.
EGMONT NATIONAL PARK
AN ACCESSIBLE WONDERLAND
There are some 300 kms of walking tracks in the Park from short walks up to the five day ‘Round the Mountain’ walk. Short walks can take you to some of the most scenic waterfalls and areas of the Park. For example, the 15 minute Kamahi Track from the Mountain House goes straight into the heart of the rainforest where heavy lichen and moss grow on the Kamahi trees creating the famous Goblin Forest. The latest track to be created is the two to three day Pouakai Circuit on the northern flanks of the Mountain. While the Pouakai Circuit is a track of international walking standard, all tracks are well-signposted and regularly maintained. Department of Conservation (DOC) huts are spaced approximately a day’s walk apart right around the mountain and require a ‘back Country Hut’ pass to stay overnight.Contact Details: Central Taranaki Tourism Network Inc, 65-67 Miranda Street, Stratford, New Zealand
Email: cttn@xtra.co.nz Telephone: +64 6 765 7180 or 0274 316 491
