Kaieto
At the top of the saddle was a cafe called Kaieto from which the view all around was quite something.
Our small camera really could not do it justice and convey the grandness of it all.
There was actually a small place to park up...
... but not much else.
Continuing on after a break at the Cafe our next planned stop was Mt Dampier Falls.
Whangamomona
No journey through the Forgotton World Highway would be complete with a stop over at the Republic of Whangamomona.
The centre of activity long ago when the road was being purshed through any of the original buildings still exist.
Some still bear the original occupants names and seem to envelope one with the history of the location.
There's a small camp ground up a side road past the hotel...
... that provided the basic necessities for a short stay with a short bike ride to the Hotel for a good basic country meal.
Whamomona Saddle
Travelling the Forgotten World Highway would not be complete with out a detour to the tunnel that takes you to the Bridge To Nowhere.
A reasonably tight tunnel that doesn't leave a lot of margin for error.
From the tunnel and back on the road it is an interesting and scenic climb to the top of the saddle.
After a break, a bit of a look around it was time to head to Whangamomona where we would spend the night.
Te Popo Gardens
Before heading off up the Forgotton World Highway to our next destination at Whangamomona known as Whanga to the locals we detoured to see the Te Popo Gardens.
The gardens meander through park like grounds of trees and flowers.
A number of time you cross a beautiful small stream.
After some lunch in some grounds nearby it was time to head back to the main road, the Forgotton World Highway.
We found a small motor camp right in the heart of Stratford that alongside a park through which ran a small river. The river was mentioned as fishable (trout) and evidence of this could be seen by the pieces of fishing line caught up in the trees overhanging the river.
The park offered a wide variety of areas from dense supplejack...
....to open spaces.
From many parts of the park Mt Taranaki could be seen.
Stratford itself is well known for its Glockenspiel, see the tower in the far ground.
Many people gathered at the published times to watch the action and hear the play.
On the 3rd it was time to leave Stratford and the ever present Mt Taranaki and start the journey north along the Forgotton Highway.
Stepping outside we were greeted with clear skies and a great view of Mt Taranaki.
Well we were already 800m up Mt Taranaki why not continue up to the carpark at 1500m. It just got better the closer we got.
The view from the carpark was expansive with Ruapehu (Tongariro National Park) to the east, Pirongia to the north and the Southern Alps to the south.
Today we were heading down to Stratford where we were going to spend two nights to catch up.
The detail in the dioramas are nothing short of incredible and there are many of them. The following three pics are just a very small sample of what is on display.
The museum and all its figures are the remarkable work of one man, Nigel Ogle. Early New Zealand has been presented in a great many displays both inside...
... and outside.
This museum is absolutely a must see if travelling the Hawera - Stratford road.
