Forgotten World Adventures Guided Rail Cart Tours Taumarunui
The Forgotten Highway Guided Rail Trail Cart Tours
Explore rural New Zealand on a Rail Cart Tour along the decommissioned railway line 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 – Five Tunnel Tour
Price: $169 per person
Tour Starts: 12:00 pm Taumarunui
Tour Duration: 3 to 3.5 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 3.5 hour return journey includes a stop with delicious home baking and drinks at the historical village of Matiere.
After checking in at the Forgotten World Motel, Taumarunui, we will shuttle you out to your waiting railcart at Okahukura. Set off down the line along 16km of the Forgotten World Railway. Travel through 5 tunnels, including the longest tunnel (1.5km), and marvel at the beautiful handbuilt brick tunnels. Enjoy cruising through stunning hill country farms and native bush. The trip is 32km return.
A drink and some lovely home baking will be waiting your arrival at Matiere, the turnaround point. On your return journey you’ll get to experience the ride from a whole new perspective. Switch drivers, take photos and enjoy the stunning scenery on your return journey to Okahukura. Board the shuttle to return to the Forgotten World Motel.
Forgotten World – Twenty Tunnel Tour
Price: $349 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 River Run
Price: $349 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 – The Ultimate Taumarunui to Stratford
Price: $639 per person
Tour Starts: 10:00 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.
THE ULTIMATE 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 not included and must be booked separately.
THE ULTIMATE 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: $1339 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.
