Our Wilderness New Zealand journey continues! For our second spherical of adventures in New Zealand, we’re making an attempt to catch every part we missed the primary go spherical and we positively missed the “Forgotten World Freeway.”
This scenic drive on the North Island is understood for being extremely distant and just a little treacherous.
Shout out to Craig Nelson for recommending this journey to us! Take a look at the wild highway in our newest video:
The Forgotten World Freeway
The Forgotten World Freeway is a 148 km (91 mile) stretch of highway main from Taumarunui to Stratford on the North Island of New Zealand. It’s ranked as one of many worst roads in New Zealand and is the one unsealed (or unpaved) freeway within the nation.
However we heard of this freeway for a unique cause—the views!
This distant freeway stretches by way of what can solely be described because the background of the brand new Jurassic Park trilogy. Dense jungle, rivers, and mountains encompass you as you navigate the tiny roads.
There are some things to pay attention to as you drive: washouts, potholes, and rushing motorcyclists. The highway may be very fashionable with bikers, who are inclined to whip round corners at full velocity! Apart from the stress of rushing motorcyclists, the highway itself brings a problem in navigating tiny one-lane parts with no guardrails and drop-offs. Thankfully, you don’t see an excessive amount of automobile visitors to clog up these one-lane parts!
So how did the Forgotten World Freeway get its title?
Rumor is that it’s because of the unspoiled magnificence. Lack of growth means the lands right here look simply as they might’ve lots of of years in the past. The world has forgotten it and the rainforest has thrived.
Moki Tunnel
One of the crucial iconic parts of the Forgotten World Freeway is the Moki Tunnel. The hand-painted signal reads “the Hobbit Gap,” the official nickname of the tunnel.
The 180-meter-long single-lane tunnel is exceedingly slim however stands 4.8 meters excessive. We significantly apprehensive that our motorhome wouldn’t make the tunnel till we discovered a YouTube video displaying a similar-sized RV making it by way of. So we knew (hoped actually!) that we may.
The Republic of Whangamomona
After visiting the Republic of Whangamomona I nearly have extra questions than I’ve solutions. Like how do you actually grow to be a republic? What does the federal government consider these folks making up their very own nation? How many individuals truly stay on this tiny forgotten hamlet?
However for as many questions as I’ve, I additionally walked away with a passport stamp and a full stomach from the pub.
Off the Crushed Path
We love discovering these little hidden gems in each nation we go to. As we finish our drive south, we’re prepared to move north and discover extra new spots to discover!
