Forgotten World Highway

It used to be that you’d scream through Taumaranui, stopping only for fish and chips and plates of pre-sliced white bread slathered with butter at the Taumarunui Cafe. However today Taumarunui is a mecca for trout fishing, kayaking, jetboating and general river activities, as the town is nestled between two rivers and is a launch pad for those venturing up into the Whanganui National Park a remote, rugged park, clad in lowland forest, inhabited by native birds busy about their business.

The Whanganui is a powerful and mystical river. In March 2017 it became the world's second (after Te Urewera) natural resource to be given its own legal identity, with the rights and duties of a legal person. And at 290 kms the Whanganui is also New Zealand’s longest navigable waterway. So before taking off on your Forgotten Highway expedition, make sure you spend some time exploring the river.

However, if this is a little too leisurely for you then go straight to one of the jetboating companies and lose your voice as you’re hurled upstream in one of their grunty speed machines. The Bridge to Nowhere tour with Forgotten World Jets, is an all day adventure that will take you on a jet boat ride down the river, passing through rolling farmland to the Mangaparua Landing. And then your the drivers/tour guides will lead you 3kms up along the old road to the famous bridge, Bridge to Nowhere.

Another super kooky way to explore the area is by self drive rail cart with Forgotten World Adventures. Forgotten World Adventures offer a range of tours from a wee 32 km, 3 and ½ hour ride that trips along deserted rail lines through hill country farms, native bush and explores 5 tunnels (make sure you check out the hand-built brick tunnels) before turning back to Tauramanui.

Quaint as this option might be, for all of you looking for slightly more physical adventure then look no further than heading north and embarking on the Pureora Timber Trail, part of the network of 22 rides that make up the network of NZ cycle trails - Nga Haerenga. Arguably the best 2-day mountain bike ride in New Zealand, the Timber Trail runs from Pureora to Ongarue mainly through DoC land and traverses 87kms through Pureora Forest Park, a park filled with a mixture of regenerating and exotic forest. Suitable for moderately experienced riders, this aptly named trail follows an old logging tramline through remote scenery that will leave you awestruck as you spin over swing bridges accompanied by bird song.

State Highway 43 leads you through the twisty, rugged terrain and into a forested area and as you reach the end of the forest you’ll come to “Hobbits Hole” or Moki Tunnel, a narrow tunnel built in the 1930’s that will make you suck in your tummy as you and your car shimmy through. If you have a campervan don't despair because in the 1980’s they lowered the floor to allow tall trucks to pass through - so you should be fine.

And if you’re up for a detour then take a right onto Mount Damper Road, then another right onto Mangapapa Road (there are signs marked Mt Damper Falls) and you’ll reach the Mt Damper Falls accessway. The North Islands second highest falls, Mt Damper Falls is a glorious cascade (especially after a bout of rain) that plummets within a steep cavern into a pool at the base. The access way is about 20 minutes stroll across a private farm, (please note access is closed during lambing from August 1st - October 31st), and there is a long drop loo and picnic tables at the start of the track. To get up close and personal there are two viewing platforms so you can sit and reflect on the falls tumbling into the pool.