Forgotten World Highway

Forgotten World Highway

Scenic Drive

21 Rankers Reviews

15 Face-to-Face

7 Taumarunui

Maps

Photos

Mt Taranaki rises above the mist
Mt Ruapehu in the distance
Looks like something out of The Hobbit

Information

Forgotten World Highway

The forgotten highway is remote and mysterious it hugs the rugged contours of the land to provide a natural roller coaster experience. It can be approached from either Stratford or Taumarunui, and wriggles its way over four mountain saddles, through an eerie one-way tunnel and along a river gorge.

Details

Feature Value Info

Location

North IslandRuapehuTaumarunui

Categories

  • Activity__scenic_attractionsScenic Attractions
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-39.1705293614529

174.663391113281

Latitude
-39.1705293614529
Longitude
174.663391113281

Nearby

Reviews

    • One of the great drives of NZ.
    • To be honest it is just a road.
    • In the middle of nowhere!
    • Beautiful scenery.
    • Another stunning drive in New Zealand.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 5
    24%
    9/10 4
    19%
    8/10 7
    33%
    7/10 3
    14%
    6/10 1
    5%
    5/10 1
    5%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 4.5/5

    A very scenic and enjoyable drive away from the major roads.

    A short dirt section of around 12k but nothing to be concerned about. No fuel along the way.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Narrow, windy to the extreme with rock falls on the road, stop for oncoming traffic.

    Scenery fantastic with stops for isolated bridge walks. Well worth the difficult road sections.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 3.5/5

    This is a beautiful road with excellent scenic view points.

    Users should be aware that some of the road is unsealed, and may be difficult for larger vehicles.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Absolutely amazing road, we enjoyed every second.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 3.5/5

    $2 for a stamp in your passport, money goes to the local school.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 3.0/5

    To be honest it is just a road.

    It is a beautiful landscape and a typical New Zealand road. But it is not that special. Do it if you are there anyway but do not spend an extra day.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 4.5/5

    We drove the highway and made a lot of stops on the way to take pictures.

    It was very nice way to arrive the other side.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Just a must do!

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Nice curvy road, scenic lookouts, beautiful little town.

    Whangamomona is good for food and has a nice restaurant. We had a nice lunch there.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    On the Forgotten World Highway from Taumaranui to Stratford you can get a stamp for your passport ($2).

    It is a really cool proof of your trip and also the small town you get it from is really recommendable.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 2.5/5

    Good views but road isn't that easy to drive, lots of information beside the road, no gas stations for 130km so make sure you have enough fuel.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    My favorite road in NZ, stunning and wonderfull.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in January 2011

  • 4.5/5

    A very scenic and enjoyable drive away from the major roads.

    A short dirt section of around 12k but nothing to be concerned about. No fuel along the way.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Narrow, windy to the extreme with rock falls on the road, stop for oncoming traffic.

    Scenery fantastic with stops for isolated bridge walks. Well worth the difficult road sections.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Absolutely amazing road, we enjoyed every second.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 3.5/5

    This is a beautiful road with excellent scenic view points.

    Users should be aware that some of the road is unsealed, and may be difficult for larger vehicles.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    $2 for a stamp in your passport, money goes to the local school.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    We drove the highway and made a lot of stops on the way to take pictures.

    It was very nice way to arrive the other side.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 3.0/5

    To be honest it is just a road.

    It is a beautiful landscape and a typical New Zealand road. But it is not that special. Do it if you are there anyway but do not spend an extra day.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Just a must do!

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Nice curvy road, scenic lookouts, beautiful little town.

    Whangamomona is good for food and has a nice restaurant. We had a nice lunch there.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    On the Forgotten World Highway from Taumaranui to Stratford you can get a stamp for your passport ($2).

    It is a really cool proof of your trip and also the small town you get it from is really recommendable.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 2.5/5

    Good views but road isn't that easy to drive, lots of information beside the road, no gas stations for 130km so make sure you have enough fuel.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    My favorite road in NZ, stunning and wonderfull.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in January 2011

  • 3.5/5

    In the middle of nowhere!

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Another stunning drive in New Zealand.

    About midway is the Kaleta Cafe - accomodation for tents and campers. It's perched on a hilltop - wonderful place to spend the night and watch the sunset. You can even see the peaks of Ruapetu and Ngaunuhoe(sp?) in tongariro Nat Pk.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful scenery.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

  • 5.0/5

    One of the great drives of NZ.

    Do not be in a hurry. Only a short distance is gravel but trip through thr gorge is outstanding, and the tunnel!

    Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in March 2011

  • 4.0/5

    If you want to get somewhere in a hurry, don't go this way.

    If you want to see some real New Zealand, this is it. About the only place to stop is Whangamomona, but although small, it's got the Whangamomona Hotel (http://www.whangamomonahotel.co.nz/) which is very welcoming. The road is not surfaced for much of its length so if driving a rented vehicle, check that you're allowed on such a surface, and watch out for rock falls.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in May 2009

  • 4.0/5

    150km highway with no fuel stops.

    Go back in time as you wind from Taumaranui to Stratford. You almost expect dinusaurs to appear at one point.

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Ray's avatar

    Ray