Forgotten World Highway

The Forgotten World Highway is State Highway 43 on New Zealand’s North Island, linking Stratford in Taranaki with Taumarunui in the Ruapehu area. The route is about 149.62 km long and passes through remote settlements including Whangamomona, as well as landmarks such as the Moki Tunnel and Tahora Saddle.

Yes. The Forgotten World Highway is a drivable route on State Highway 43 between Stratford and Taumarunui, and the full journey is roughly 150 km. It is known for narrow, winding sections and a remote backcountry feel, so travel times are slower than the distance suggests, especially around the gorge and tunnel sections.

Driving the Forgotten World Highway usually takes around 2.5 to 3.5 hours without long stops, depending on weather, roadworks, and how often traffic control is in place. The route covers 149.62 km, but the many bends, hill country, and scenic stops near Whangamomona, Tahora Saddle, and the Moki Tunnel make it slower than a typical highway run.

Yes. The final 12 km unsealed section through the Tangarakau Gorge was chip-sealed as part of the SH43 improvement works, so the route is now fully sealed end to end. Even with a sealed surface, the highway still has narrow, twisting stretches and can be affected by slips, flooding, and maintenance closures.

The Forgotten World Highway is generally open, but conditions can change quickly because SH43 is prone to heavy rain, slips, flooding, and temporary traffic management. Recent NZ transport updates have included short-term closures and reduced-speed sections between Whangamomona and Taumarunui, so open status is best treated as changeable rather than fixed.

Road conditions on the Forgotten World Highway are typically sealed but variable, with tight curves, steep hill country, one-lane features in places, and occasional stop-go traffic during maintenance. The route includes remote sections around the Tangarakau Gorge and the single-lane Moki Tunnel, so conditions are often more demanding than on a standard state highway.

The Forgotten World Highway takes its name from the isolated inland country it crosses between Stratford and Taumarunui. The route passes through sparsely populated hill country and small settlements such as Whangamomona, giving it a reputation for remoteness that sets it apart from New Zealand’s busier highway corridors.