Friends Bruce & Elizabeth, John and I got up very early this past Saturday morning and left Struan Farm for nearby Taumarunui. We'd booked a trip with Forgotten World Adventures along the Forgotten World Highway rail trail.
It was quite an adventure indeed! We were taken from the office in Taumarunui by bus to the depot, where the group of 30+ intrepid souls got into golf carts that had been reconfigured to run on the rails. Our group was in a four seater, with John at the helm. There is no steering involved, rather acceleration much like a ride on mower, so the Mad Mower was quite at home. Attention is required to maintain proper distance from other carts, also due to obstacles that might be on the tracks from slips, floods, etc. There is a guide at the front to clear the way if required, and a guide at the back to make sure no one is left behind. Initially we were asked to take the last cart in line to bring up the rear, which actually worked quite well for John to get comfortable with operating the cart on the rails. After morning tea (yep, the trip included morning and afternoon tea stops, lunch, and shuttle back up to Taumarunui) we were moved back up to the front behind the guide.
We signed up for the "20 Tunnel Tour," which had us travelling from Taumarunui to Whangamomona (The Republic thereof), a rather special, remote, little community known for its tongue-in-cheek secession from NZ and formation of a republic, something celebrated annually in the community. Dogs have been elected mayor in some years, but elections are tight contests, rather like Trump vs. Clinton, but with humour and not the hostility.
It was an absolutely amazing journey, and a very long day! The tunnels were built by hand from 1915 through 1945 and made with bricks fired in a village called Matiere. The tour explained the history of many of the various settlements, many of which were large thriving villages historically due to the tunnel constructions and coal mining. Most are now shadows of their former selves, hence the name "Forgotten World." The landscape is spectacular.
Enjoy some photos from the day. There are a number of different options (including pedal bikes that run along the tracks if you're into that), with trips running October-May. Really encourage you to consider this (of course come stay at Struan Farm too!).
Off the beaten track to say the least!
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