Head out on the (Forgotten World) "Highway"

Living in a rural town like Hawera has its downsides, but a big plus is its proximity to major roads ("highways" is a overstatement) to get from one part of the North Island to another.  I live just 20 minutes from State Highway 43 (or "ROOT 43" as we'd call it in PA  or "THE 43" as we'd call it in AZ).   It's nicknamed the Forgotten World Highway and was established in 1990 to highlight and preserve the historic significance that happened through the Taranaki region.  It follows ancient Maori trade routes and pioneering farm tracks, through historic settlements, native forest, and GORGEOUS scenery!

It's a 150 km stretch of road, starting in Stratford and ending in Taumaruni (tao-ma-ru-nu-ee , say THAT five times fast!).  I decided to take my time, and cruise along this past weekend.   Here are a few highlights!

The road starts in Stratford, named after Shakepeare's birthplace.  The town holds New Zealand's ONLY (!) Glockenspiel, and it chimes tunes from Romeo and Juliet.  (hold back your excitement, folks)

And the journey begins!

There were several natural saddles (ridges between two peaks) along the road that led to great "scenic lookouts" as we like to call them in the US.  

Here's Strathmore saddle:

and the Pohokura Saddle:

To build a road through hilly regions, you either can built over it or through it!  Here's a few shots of fun tunnels I got to drive through:

Moki Tunnel (built in 1936):

 and  Makahu Tunnel (built in 1907!)

A stretch of the Highway (12 km to be exact) isn't even paved!  How's that for rustic?

It wouldn't be a Linz roadtrip without some exercise, so I stopped at the Whangamomona Saddle for a three hour hike.   For some terminology, these NZ folks are fit.   Their definition of a "walk" is a hike, and anything more means you better be ready to huff and puff and sweat.  So when i saw this sign I knew I was in for a workout!

2.5 hours, several slips, one good wipeout, and lots of mud later, I made it!  Hooray-  I *am* indeed "moderately fit!"

I at least saw some pretty trees and flowers to make it all worth it :)

And by now, you know that if a waterfall was on the map, you betcha I drove/hiked to see it, no matter how far off the main path!   Here are three I saw:

Ohura Falls:

Raekohua Falls:

And New Zealand's second highest waterfall (80meters!), Mt Damper Falls:

Quite impressive.

I spent the night in Taumarunui, which is a quaint town that historically marked the borders of the Whanganui, Maniapoto and Tuwharetoa tribes, and acts as an important part of the railroad network connecting most parts of the North Island.  Of course I dined in this cute railroad car diner:

I had dinner with a lovely young woman form Ireland here, who was doing the same scenic tour as me.

After a *great* sleep (my "moderately fit" body was quite tired-- and sore the next day!), I headed back down the highway.   Did I mention it must've been Family Weekend on the Forgotten World Highway?  Here's proof: 

And a few other funny moments too, such as the cow cheating on his diet:

I wonder who was winning this rugby match?

And what "School" were these guys on their way to?

And once again, on my way home, my sorrows were building with the gloomy Sunday and the weekend ending, when these two beauts decided to make an appearance:

A couple more hills and windy turns and I was back to where I started in Stratford (just a wee bit soggier, sorer and muddier!):

Cheers from State Highway 43!