1.      Whakaahurangi Maori Trail A major route for ancient Maori between North and South Taranaki, this trail – which acts as the starting point for Forgotten World Highway – once meandered through dense rainforest.  The Kahouri River crossing site is marked by the Historic Places Trust.

2.     Douglas Village Douglas’ fortunes have flourished and waned since the first land clearing and settlement in the 1890s – particularly since the dairy factory and store closures –the quaint village was once typical of small European settlement origins. The Douglas Brick Kiln is classified by the Historic Places Trust, and was closed in 1981 after 60 years of producing bricks and tiles. 

3.     Makahu Tunnel First opened in 1907 giving access to the Makahu and Puniwhakau valleys, this tunnel collapsed in 1919 and was re-opened two years later.  It is surrounded by the Kirai Scenic Reserve. Turn off at Strathmore. 

4.     Matemateonga Track Turn right from Strathmore, and then left onto Upper Mangehau Rd to the Matemateonga Track, an easy-to-moderate graded hike. The track is 42km in length, and takes 3-4 days (requiring transport to be pre-booked to pick up hikers from the Whanganui River end). The track has regularly spaced huts, and takes in dense forest with sweeping views of the Whanganui, Egmont and Tongariro National Parks.  

5.     Te Wera An early transitory settlement for Maori, Te Wera is the base for the 6500ha Te Wera Forest.  A lodge and recreational camp includes walking tracks, and is close to a former New Zealand Forest Service Arboretum. 

6.      Whangamomona Village Now one of New Zealand’s most character-packed pioneer villages, Whangamomona has just 30 or so official residents, plus a pub.  Declared as a ‘republic’in 1989 – complete with a republic day and presidential election, passport’s are available at the Hotel or Cafe. The village was first settled in ‘The Valley of Plenty’ in 1895, and now has an Historic Places Trust precinct rating.  The village population was around 300 prior to World War One in 1914, but has dramatically declined since then. The famous ‘republic day’ is held biennially in January, and celebrated by thousands to commemorate the community’s 1989 protest over regional government boundary changes that took Whangamomona out of Taranaki.

7.                 The Whangamomona Road The 20km road from the Whangamomona township rates amongst the best in tramping, trail bike riding, mountain biking and 4WD opportunities in New Zealand. The road leads to Aotuhia and the Bridge to Somewhere. This road is only for 4WD vehicles

8.     Aotuhia (Bridge to Somewhere) When this isolated valley was first opened up via the Whanganui River in the early 1900s, scores of pioneering settlers flocked to make their living off the land – with most walking away heartbroken years later.  From Strathmore, the road into Aotuhia crosses the ‘Bridge to Somewhere’, built in 1937 and similar in design to Mangapurua Valley’s ‘Bridge to Nowhere’.  

9.      Tangarakau Village Detour down the first turn right after Tahora Village, and follow Raekohua Rd for 6km to the site of a substantial early settlement of 1200 people created by railway construction.   

10. Moki Tunnel Built in 1936, this one-way 180m tunnel is also known as ‘Hobbits Hole’, and the site where unique giant crab fossils were found during construction.  The floor was lowered in 1985 to allow triple-decked stock truck access.

11. Moki Forest An 8 kilometre detour off the Forgotten World Highway, leads you to a mature virgin forest which includes some of the fastest regenerating native bush in New Zealand, the Moki Forest features walking tracks and old milling roads, and is home to the endangered Kokako bird.   

12.                         Mt Damper Falls (85m) Take a hike inland for 20 minutes to see the North Island’s highest waterfall – a spectacular sight particularly after heavy rain.  Surrounded by native bush, the falls spill over a horseshoe-shaped papa bluff and eventually run into the Tongaporutu River. Toilet available at parking area. 

13.                         Morgan’s Grave Joshua Morgan, a respected early surveyor, died of suspected peritonitis and was buried at this site in 1893, aged just 35.  A short walkway leads through to his grave, considered a memorial to the efforts of early surveyors. His wife Annie never remarried, and waited 60 years to lie with her husband again when her ashes were scattered at the site.

14.                         The Tangarakau Gorge Meander through this gorge set amongst magnificent podocarp forest that still characterises the region.  The gorge is the signposted boundary between Stratford and Ruapehu Districts, and was once a coal mining area. 

15.                         Tatu Coal Mine Village In Forgotten World Highway terms, Tatu was once a metropolis – four houses, a school and hall serviced workers of a nearby coalmine.  The larger settlement of Puketihi – 30 houses, post office, store, two-teacher school and reticulated water supply – was located close by. The mine entrance is located 6.5km up Waro Rd, and can only be accessed via foot, allow a couple of hours for the round trip. 

16.                         Nevin’s Lookout Gaze over the stunning alpine vista of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Taranaki from this vantage point a short walk from the road.  Please ensure that the gate is shut behind you when entering and leaving.

17.                         Maraekowhai Reserve (Whanganui National Park) Boasting considerable significance to Maori and early European history, this reserve was a stronghold for Hauhau warriors and the site of a war pole ‘Rongo nui’ calling fighters to war in 1864.   The peace pole ‘Rere Kore’ was erected at the end of hostilities, and both poles are preserved on the site.  A 20 minute return walk leads to a viewing platform of the Ohura Falls.

18.                         Aukopae Tunnel and river boat landing Road cutting in 1968 made redundant this tunnel started before World War I but not finished until 1923.  A short 45 minute return walk takes you to the old tunnel. Riverboats regularly plied the waters here, landing cargoes of settlers, livestock and provisions at the Aukopae Landing located 200m down Saddler Rd. 

19.                         Te Maire Reserve Accessed via the unmistakable Te Maire Bridge, this reserve boasts a podocarp forest and offers interesting walks of up to three hours’ duration. 

20.                         Herlihy’s Bluffs Geologically interesting bluffs consisting of Mahoenui mudstone, Herlihy’s Bluffs have caused major roading headaches until recent times.  With 1.3km thick alternating layers of coarse sandstone and fine mudstone, this area shows the land’s history when it was beneath the sea 15-25 million years ago.

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