our History
A region of historical and cultural significance
The construction of the Stratford-Okahukura railway line (SOL) is significant in New Zealand and its rich history characterises the essence and spirit of the people who toiled in isolated and difficult conditions to develop the remote interior.
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Construction
Building the railway began at Stratford in March 1901 and took almost 32 years to complete. Unlike the parallel Forgotten World Highway, which traverses four rugged mountain ranges and remains a challenge for motorists, the railway line mainly followed valley routes.
At a cost of £2M (a staggering $9.4B today) it was a substantial investment and considerably hard work for the teams of men involved who used pick axes and shovels to carve out the 24 tunnels by hand a total of 10.4km.
Huge cuttings were also hand-dug and bridges built to cross the lowest spans used a unique method still admired by engineers today. It was no small task; the men first built a timber trestle across the divide then dumped filling along its length until the frame was completely buried. The largest, about 120 metres long, contained 1000,000 cubic metres of soil and took three years to complete.
The Workers and people
Workers lived in camps along the line and earned less than $1 a day for their nine-hour shift. Little evidence remains of Tangarakau, the main camp; in its 1925 hey day 1200 people lived in the bustling township.
Nearby, in the spectacular Tangarakau Gorge, is the grave of pioneer surveyor Joshua Morgan who died in 1893. This extraordinary man fell ill while surveying the road linking Stratford and Taumarunui and despite a desperate dash by his colleagues to seek medical help,
Morgan did not survive to see the historic railway line or road to completion. His grave acts as a memorial to all the men who helped establish the Forgotten World Railway.
142km of line
Sheer natural beauty
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Pristine native bush
Be at one with nature
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Six unique experiences on offer
Each feature an iconic rail cart journey
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Magnificent Mount Taranaki
Book our ‘Ultimate’ experience to travel this part of the line
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A place for adventure seekers
Enjoy a helicopter flight with us on our ‘Expedition’ experience
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History can be thrilling
Enjoy a spectacular helicopter flight over the Whanganui National Park
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A CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP
Grant Ross and partner Laura Wackett purchased the business and took over Forgotten World Adventures in March 2022, relocating from France with their two young sons, Harrison and Cameron.
The move brought with it a much-desired professional challenge for them both, whilst fulfilling the dream to give their boys a traditional Kiwi upbringing.
BECOMING THE ULTIMATE KIWI TOURISM EXPERIENCE
They and the Forgotten World Adventures whaanau hold a shared vision; to become New Zealand’s most loved Kiwi adventure tourism experience. We firmly believe in our purpose which is to provide unforgettable experiences for all, placing guests at the heart of what we do.
Our experienced, passionate and dedicated team help make this all possible, as they strive to support this vision and to always exceed visitor expectations. We believe the Forgotten World region has an incredible amount to offer travellers and adventurers of all ages and abilities; so many stories to tell, both old and new.
Journey into the heart of wild New Zealand
