An Iconic Back-Country Drive

State Highway 43 — commonly known as the Forgotten World Highway — is a 150 km scenic and historic state highway on New Zealand’s North Island, linking Stratford in Taranaki with Taumarunui in the King Country. It is one of New Zealand’s most iconic back-country drives, threading through rolling hills, deep gorges, and sparsely populated farmland.

The Forgotten World Highway was high on our list of must-sees while travelling in New Zealand, and it also took us through an area of the North Island we had never visited before.

A Drive Beyond Expectations

In hindsight, it was probably one of the most beautiful and epic drives we have ever done. It felt like driving through the scenery of Jurassic Park and Avatar, with a sprinkle of Rivendell thrown in just to dial the epicness all the way up.

Saddles, Gorges, and Historic Milestones

The highway crosses several saddles, including Strathmore Saddle and Whangamōmona Saddle, and winds through the Tangarākau Gorge, where tall cliff walls and dense native bush close in around the road.

Tangarākau Gorge was also the last stretch of state highway in New Zealand to be sealed — completed just a month before we drove through in March 2025 — finally finishing the tar-sealing of the entire route.

Tunnels Through Time

The Moki Tunnel is a distinctive, short tunnel along the route, often referred to as Hobbit’s Hole. We also made a small detour to the Makahu Tunnel just to check it out. While interesting, it was fairly similar to the Moki Tunnel — still worth a quick look if you’re curious.

Whangamōmona: A Republic of Its Own

Whangamōmona is a tiny settlement roughly halfway along the highway, famous for declaring itself a republic in 1989 in protest against district boundary changes. Today, it’s a wonderfully quirky tourist stop, complete with an informal Republic Day celebration and an infamous pub that’s well worth a visit.

Lush, Wild, and Almost Unreal Scenery

The scenery along the route can only be described as lush — and even that feels like an understatement. It’s so green, so dense, and so beautiful it almost makes your soul hurt.

Towering tree ferns line the road, giant Ent-like trees loom overhead, and the density of the native bush feels like being wrapped in layers of green wallpaper. It’s immersive in the best possible way.

Endless Photo Opportunities

The pull-outs are plentiful, and photo opportunities appear around nearly every corner. This drive is easily a top-10 must-do road trip in New Zealand — no question about it.

🚗 Driving Experience

Time

Driving end-to-end typically takes around 3 hours, though most travellers will want significantly longer to stop, explore, and soak in the scenery.

Road Conditions

The route features narrow, winding sections with sharp elevation changes and tight bends. While it is now fully sealed, it still requires attentive driving. It’s suitable for drivers of all experience levels — just take it slow and enjoy the journey.

Why the Forgotten World Highway Lives Up to Its Name

The Forgotten World Highway stands out not just as a transport route, but as a true heritage and adventure drive. Once partly unsealed and deeply isolated, it weaves through landscapes that feel far removed from modern urban life.

Its name couldn’t be more fitting — driving SH43 genuinely feels like stepping back into a rugged, untouched corner of New Zealand that time almost forgot.