The road trip westward began with a detour South to the Whanganui River Road. The partially unsealed river-hugging road nipped between the stark, wet mountain slopes which plunged into the Whanganui River. En-route, I had to avoid more road washouts than oncoming traffic.
Around one of the many corners in the road, a quaint spired church came into view. This was home to (potentially) New Zealand's first Saint. On this site in 1885, Mother Aubert started a home for orphans and the under-privileged. Much of the money used to fund this venture came through the sales of Aubert's medicinal formulations, including many cannabis-based medicines. Aubert is the first person known to grow cannabis in New Zealand :) Soon after leaving Jerusalem, this impossibly scenic route joined the faster, but less magical SH4.
Further north is Taumarunui and the start of the 155km road to Stratford, more commonly known as the Forgotten World Highway. It follows ancient Maori trade routes and pioneering farm tracks, through ambitious historic settlements, untamed native bush and stunning natural scenery. The town of Whangamomona (Population: 30) was a highlight. The chucklesome sign on the way out of town is a timely and jovial reminder that this quirky village declared itself an independent republic in 1989 after a disagreement over regional council boundaries. Since independence, the Republic of Whangamomona have elected Billy Gumboot the Goat (1999-2001) and Tai the Poodle (2003-2004) as their President.
The journey along the wonderful Forgotten World Highway concluded in Stratford, the gateway to Egremont National Park - home of the perfect volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki. I made the short hop to the surf beaches of New Plymouth to watch the sun go down over a few locally brewed organic craft beers.
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