The Forgotten World Highway

Monday morning dawned dull and overcast with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast later in the day.  But I was excited – nothing was going to dampen my enthusiasm today because I was going to drive the Forgotten World Highway through to Stratford and then onto to New Plymouth to visit my nieces. It has been many years, actually over 10 since I was last through this special place and that was on my bike, sharing that adventure with good friends Margie, Virginia and Isla – that is another story.

Today it’s going to be just me, my thoughts and memories.  An ideal time to reflect and dream.  Can those two activities go on together?  In my mind they can.

The Forgotten World Highway (State Highway 43) officially runs from Taumarunui through to Stratford – 185 kms of sealed and unsealed road surfaces with many many twists and turns.  There are four saddles: Tahora; Whangamomona; Pohokura and Strathmore all offering spectacular views at the top of each.

The Tangarakau Gorge road  (includes 12 kms of unsealed road) is quite magical – more so on a bike as you have time to take in the magnificent podocarp forest.  But even in a vehicle you can get the feeling of how magical this drive is.

Joshua Morgan

Part of the way through the gorge is a memorial to Joshua Morgan and many other pioneers who sought their fortunes in this remote area.  Joshua was an early surveyor who lost his life in 1893 – he was only 35 years old.  This time I made sure I visited his grave, which is only a 2 minute walk off the road down through some beautiful native bush, and over a little stream – a peaceful resting place.

As I drove through this rugged country side, my mind often went back to memories of previous trips I had with my Dad when I was very young.  My Dad loved travelling these back grounds and knew many of the local farmers through his horse wheeling and dealings!  Even though I’ve never been a horse person I always enjoyed the opportunities to explore of these remote areas with my Dad.  

This was another sign I had seen before but always in a hurry and didn’t explore.  Not so this time, as I was travelling by myself I thought ‘why not explore this narrow gravel road’ and see what is at the end of it – after all 6 kms isn’t that long in a car!  What an interesting side trip this turned out to be, a newly built ‘Pouata Honey’ depot, and a beautiful Ghost Town Camping Ground with several small wooden weatherboard cabins strategically placed for privacy and shade, plus ample area to put up your tent or park your RV. It looked a great place to chill out, relax and enjoy the peacefulness of the surrounding hills.  

Whangamomonoa Hotel was my lunch destination.  When I entered through the front door there was one other person in the bar enjoying his lunch.  Guess that was a reflection of the day and number of people travelling this route – very few.  The publican informed me as he was giving me my much anticipated ham, cheese and onion toasted sandwich, “We’re not normally open on a Monday”.  I thought to myself he could have said that when I placed my order!!  He wasn’t much in the mood for chatting when I asked him if he’d had much response to the sale of the pub.  But he was more than happy to chat about the Post Office next door which he and his wife have done up and converted to an Airbnb, along with the old butchery next door to the Post Office.  I must admit the little township was looking much more “loved’ than when I last visited.  And guess what, I forgot to take any photographs. 🙁

The rest of the highway through to Stratford (including two saddles) was mainly through sheep farming country then dairying as the land became flatter.  Many of the road names brought back memories of friends who used to live and work there but of whom I no longer have contact with.  The closer I came to Stratford the heavier the rain got, the window wipers were turned on to double-speed to cope with the amount of rain.  You would never have guessed there was a mountain directly west of Stratford!!  So it was with much relief I arrived at my destination just outside New Plymouth – the heavy rain never easing. What a day it has been, the memories have been wonderful, and the journey rewarding.  Knowing I’m going to write a blog has made me take more photographs and be much more aware of places and people.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring!  If you have travelled the Forgotten World Highway, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Till then – take care GoldCard Gal 🙂

Additional snap shots