Forgotten World Adventures Rail Cart Tours Taumarunui

Guided Rail Trail Tours Taumarunui

The Forgotten World Adventures

Explore rural New Zealand on a Rail Cart Tour along the decommissioned railway line from Taumarunui and a Jet Boat ride on the Whanganui River of the Forgotten World Highway, the ultimate way to experience the deep hidden valleys of New Zealand’s Forgotten World.

Travel in comfort in a motorised rail cart, through tunnels, over bridges and rivers and to townships that time forgo. Hear the stories of hardy pioneers and off the beaten path communities in one of New Zealand’s most stunning North Island destinations.

Choose to tour for a half day, full day or over two exciting days as your time allows. Tours begin in Taumarunui, Whangamomona or Stratford during our summer season. Short tours are available during winter months from our Taumarunui depot only. Forgotten World Adventures shares a hospitality and history unique to New Zealand. It’s truly unforgettable.

Forgotten World Rail Trail – Tokirimi 10 Tunnel

Price: $265 per person – Child $113
Tour Starts: 07:30 & 11:00 am Taumarunui
Tour Duration: 6 Hours

Journey back in time through stunning hill country farms and native bush. Hear stories of the rail workers, as you travel the Forgotten World aboard a self driven Rail Cart. This 6 hour return journey includes a stop with delicious home baking and drinks

Shuttle from our depot out to our Rail Carts and prepare to marvel at the determination and hardship that was endured as they hand dug 10 tunnels, built 25 bridges and laid tracks through rugged terrain nearly 100 years ago.

Morning tea and lunch or lunch and afternoon tea will be served along the way and we will return you to our depot around 1:30pm or 4.30 pm. Stop at the Lavender Farm to buy a hot or cold beverage either on your way to the Rail Carts or on your way back.

Forgotten World Rail trail – Republic 20

Twenty Tunnel Tour

Price: $369 per person
Tour Starts: 7:30 am
Tour Duration: 10 Hours approx

Our most popular tour, this full day experience immerses you in the Forgotten World and its history. Travel through breathtaking landscapes and discover a different vista every time you emerge from a tunnel.

Tour departs the Forgotten World Adventure Taumarunui Depot at 7.30am and will arrive in Whangamomona approx 3.45pm – The “Same Day” shuttle picks you up after a quick look around Whangamomona and delivers you back to our Taumarunui depot at approx 6.15pm.

Choose this tour if you are planning to: start and finish in Taumarunui OR start in Taumarunui, stay overnight in Whangamomona and return to Taumarunui the next day.
OR start in Taumarunui and have your vehicle transferred to Whangamomona to continue your journey from there.

Additional Options:

Stay overnight in Whangamomona (just let us know if you would like us to book accommodation for you ) and return to Taumarunui on our Next Day Shuttle
Book a vehicle transfer so your vehicle is waiting for you in Whangamomona
Book accommodation in Taumarunui for the night before and/or the night after your tour

Forgotten World Rail Trail – Rail River Run

Price: $369 per person
Tour Starts: 7:30 am & 10:30 pm
Tour Duration: 7 Hours approx

Enjoy the best of both worlds, encountering 10 tunnels and 20 bridges, as you travel 40km by rail and 23km by Jet Boat on the Whanganui River, a mixture of nostalgia and adrenaline.

7:30am departure: Travel through 10 hand dug tunnels and over 20 bridges before enjoying your waiting lunch at the old Tokirima Station. After lunch you will be shuttled down to the Ohinepane landing to the waiting jet boat for an exhilarating 23 km ride back up the Whanganui River to Cherry Grove in Taumarunui.

10:30am departure: Our shuttle will take you down to Cherry Grove to jet boat 23km down the Whanganui River to Ohinepane Landing.From there you leave the river and board our shuttle to have lunch at the old Tokirima Station. After lunch, board your RailCart and travel through 10 hand dug tunnels and over 20 bridges as you make your way back up the line to Okahukura. From there it is a 10 minute shuttle back to our Taumarunui depot.

Enjoy the best of both worldTravel 23km down the magnificent Whanganui River to be picked up by our shuttle and taken to the old Tokirima Station. There you will board your Rail Cart and to travel the 30 km of rail line back to Okahukura.

Itinerary: Check in at the Forgotten World Motel and take a short shuttle bus to the start of the line at Okahukura. Here you’ll board your Rail Cart and set off on your journey through the Forgotten World. Immerse yourself in the changing views of rolling hills, remote farmland and native bush, and experience wildlife close to the tracks, as you travel through tunnels and over bridges.

Stop at Tokirima Station and enjoy a Ploughman’s lunch between your adventures before taking the shuttle to the Ohinepane Landing on the Whanganui River.

In the afternoon embark on an informative Jet Boat journey on the Whanganui river and take in the awe-inspiring scenery. Leave the river at Cherry Grove for your return transfer back to our finishing point, the Forgotten World Motel.

Option to do the trip in reverse, with a 10.30am departure. Start with the Jet Boat and return by Rail Cart.

Forgotten World – Taumarunui to Stratford Rail Tour

Price: from $895 per person
Tour Starts: 7:30 am
Tour Duration: 2 days

The history of this unique landscape will resonate as you absorb the stories and relive the memories of New Zealand’s pioneering past with this two-day journey back in time. Unplugged yet still ‘on the line’ as you travel the entire 142km from Okahukura to Stratford or Stratford to Okahukura with an overnight stay (additional to tour) in Whangamomona. You’ll go through all 24 tunnels, cross all 98 bridges and see the remnants of the original settlements along the line – the ultimate experience.

You can continue on your travels from here, talk to us about a vehicle transfer, or we can help you organise a return shuttle to your departure point. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon snacks are provided on both days.

Taumaruni Rail Trail Tour: DAY 1

Check in at the Forgotten World Motel and take a shuttle bus to the start of the line at Okahukura. Here you’ll board your Rail Cart and set off on your journey through the Forgotten World. Immerse yourself in the changing views of rolling hills, remote farmland and native bush, and experience wildlife close to the tracks.

Stop along the way to hear stories from your guide of the land, its people and history. Travel over bridges and through and-built brick tunnels, including the lines longest tunnel at 1.5km, and journey through the Tangarakau Gorge.

Enjoy morning and afternoon tea stops at historic settlements of Matiere and Tangarakau, and a Ploughman’s lunch at Tokirima.

Arrive in the Republic of Whangamomona, explore the area and its charismatic pub. Overnight accommodation is included

Taumaruni Rail Trail Tour: DAY 2

Depart Whangamomona and continue your journey to Stratford. Discover ever-changing vistas as you learn about the history of the area and the stories of the settlers. See redwood plantations, pine forest and deer farms and get up close and personal with local wildlife in sheep and beef country.

Stop for morning tea and home baking at TeWera Station siding, and visit an organic farm with the opportunity to sample and buy locally made produce.

Enjoy lunch at Douglas Station, then continue your journey and marvel at the spectacular Mt Taranaki dominating the skyline. Travel on the largest bridge over the Patea River, and discover Taranaki dairy farmland. Arrive at Victoria Road in Stratford about 3pm ready for your onward travel or take the same day return shuttle to Taumarunui (additional cost)

Forgotten World Ultimate Expedition (2 Days)

Includes: Rail trail – Helicopter Flight & Jet Boat Whanganui River

Price: from $1799 per person
Tour Starts: 7:30 am Set Dates in February to April 2020
Tour Duration: 2 Days

Join us for a Forgotten World Expedition. A day on the rails and a day jet boating along the Whanganui River on the longest commercial jet boat tour in the Southern Hemisphere. The Expedition is two full days and includes one night accommodation.
RailCart down the Forgotten World Railway to the Republic of Whangamomona, more than 80km of total immersion into the true stories and tall tales woven into this unique landscape. Stay the night in the Republic. The second day after a spectacular helicopter flight over the Whanganui National Park to the Bridge to Nowhere, you’ll be jet boating up the Whanganui River exploring historical sites and scenes, including the “Bridge to Nowhere” on the longest commercial jet boat tour in the Southern Hemisphere. Along the way stopping for morning, afternoon tea and lunch. This is the longest commercial jet boat tour in the Southern Hemisphere.

Please note that a good level of fitness is required to complete the approximate 6km bushwalk comfortably. We highly recommend wearing appropriate walking shoes with a good grip as the trail can be slippery at times.

The Expedition includes;

Day One
– 20 tunnel tour – Taumarunui to Whangamomona. including morning and afternoon tea, lunch and local guide.
– Accommodation at the historic Whangamomona Hotel including dinner.

Day Two

– Cooked breakfast
– 25km helicopter flight (weather permitting), the alternative will be to drive the Forgotten World Highway to the Whanganui River.
– 110km jet boat ride on the Whanganui River. Walk to the Bridge to Nowhere (40 min one way)
– Morning, afternoon tea and lunch, driver/guide
– Returning to Taumarunui 4:30pm.