Magpie Cottage Homestay Bed and Breakfast accommodation is the ideal start or stopover point for the journey down or up the Forgotten World Highway (otherwise known as State Highway 43.)

There are a number of interesting attractions and features along the route if you have the time to stop for while.

Key Geological & Engineering Features

• The Four Mountain Saddles: The highway snakes its way over four distinct saddles—Strathmore, Pohokura, Whangamōmona, and Tahora. On a clear day, the viewpoints (particularly Strathmore) offer stunning backdrops of the Central North Island volcanic peaks: Mounts Taranaki, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu.
• Moki Tunnel (The “Hobbit’s Hole”): Built in 1936, this iconic, eerie, single-lane tunnel is 180 meters long and was hand-carved straight through solid rock.
• Tangarakau Gorge: A breathtakingly dramatic stretch of road hugged by towering 60-meter cliffs and dense, untouched native bush. Historically famous for being the last unsealed section of the national state highway network, the gorge road was completely sealed in early 2025.

Fascinating Stops & Quirky Towns

• The Republic of Whangamōmona: This historic, tiny township famously declared itself an independent republic in 1989 after a bureaucratic boundary change. They hold a massive “Republic Day” every two years and have historically elected goats, sheep, and poodles as presidents. You can stop at the iconic Whangamōmona Hotel for a meal and even get your passport stamped.
• Stratford (The Gateway): The western starting point, heavily themed around William Shakespeare. Its streets are named after his characters, and it features a Glockenspiel clock tower that performs scenes from Romeo and Juliet four times a day.
• Mount Damper Falls: A 15 km detour off the main highway rewards you with a short walk to one of the North Island’s highest waterfalls, dropping a spectacular 74 meters.
• Lauren’s Lavender Farm: Located near the Taumarunui end, this tranquil farm offers a peaceful cafe, lavender fields, and locally made products—a perfect winding-down spot after a long drive.
• The “Bridge to Nowhere”: Accessible via a walking/driving detour from the highway, this historic concrete arch bridge stands as a monument to a forgotten, failed colonial settlement attempt from the early 1900s.

Crucial Travel Advice

Because of the remote nature of the highway, there are no fuel stations along the entire 148 km stretch between Stratford and Taumarunui. Visitors are always advised to fill up their tanks entirely before starting the journey.

An interesting place along the Forgotten World Highway is Whangamomona, which is a small township 65 kilometers north-east of Stratford and 55 kilometers south-west of Ohura. On 1 November 1989 the local people declared their area the “Republic of Whangamomona” The republic is complete with presidents, however, only one has been human, with a goat appointed as one President, and passports and passport stamps are available as a momento. For more background see Whangamomona 

Whangamomona Hotel is an historic hotel  known for its hospitality. If you are travelling through you can enjoy having lunch, a drink, dinner or a snack and tea or coffee while you soak up the surroundings. You could also enjoy the ambiance in the bar or stay the night. For more information about the hotel and what it offers see