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+1
Awesome rail journey through the heart of NZ beginning At Whangamomona which is just over hour drive from Stratford. Riding on self driven modified golf carts you are taken on an 82 km journey through 20 man made tunnels , over viaducts and across bridges. Taking in the natural beauty of country side not seen from the road. Riding and stopping at what was once bustling communities occupied by the rail workers and their families and now just remains with a shelter or a few bits of machinery. Breaks along the way with snacks and lunch along the track.Provided from a thermos with homemade baking.The old outhouse is your toilet stop. Guides are very informative and friendly and tell the stories of working on the line years gone by. Wild turkey roam the back country in packs, pity couldn’t hunt them. Arriving in Tauramanui, quick change over for snack and return via shuttle over forgotten Highway to a nights stay At Whangamomona Hotel. Staff from Forgotten World are fantastic no faults.…
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Date of experience: November 2020
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Brilliant rail journey, commentary, and food provided along the way. Two negatives were poor service at hotel maybe due to insufficient staff, and terrible ride back. The unsealed road needs upgrading and my wife got car sick. Perhaps the reverse journey from Whangamomona to Taumauranui would have worked better.…
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Date of experience: April 2021
Helpful
+1
My husband Brian and I finished the first Kiwis Saving Kiwi and Whio tour in February. This was the most fabulous tour, beginning with a night at Omaka Lodge where we met our fellow companions, Shelley, Clint, Anne and Neville. We were spoilt by the lovely Scott and Chris in their luxurious accommodation. The next day we travelled by rail carts from Okahukura to Whangamomona through 21 tunnels hearing the history of the people who built this railway in very difficult conditions over many, many years. This brought back fond memories of Brian’s railway days travelling on this line. The staff at Whangamomona Hotel couldn’t do enough for us. Their hospitality makes this place unique. The next morning once the fog lifted we helicoptered to Pipiriki over Whanganui National Park - what an awesome experience and such spectacular country. Then onto a jet boat on the Whanganui River driven by Ken of Whanganui River Adventures, with a stop off to walk to the Bridge to Nowhere. Then onto Blue Duck Station where we were greeted by the wonderful Dan Steele who enlightened us with what he’s doing and delivered us to the Top of the World by ATV to experience a 10 course degustation meal prepared by Jack and assisted by Beth. We stayed in their brand new cabins, what an amazing view from there. One direction is Mt Taranaki, the other is Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, and in between the world of Blue Duck Station. Our final day was another jet boat to Tauramanui driven by Robert, with a stop off at Lauren’s Lavender Farm for lunch. We were very well fed all along this journey by Lisa with her fabulous morning and afternoon teas and lunches, plus Ian’s bbq lamb lunch - so much food we were never hungry! Our guides along the way, Shane on the rail carts, Ken and Robert on the jet boats have so much local knowledge and history to impart, and all are so passionate about what they do, including Dan and Jack at Blue Duck Station. They and all the crew at FWA especially Kara, Cassie who retrieved and returned my phone from Blue Duck Station, Sophia and Ian made our tour so special and very memorable. We cannot extend enough thanks to everyone for their part in putting it together. For us we are so grateful that we had the opportunity to travel with FWA and we would highly recommend them, as their attention to detail is exceptional and that nothing is too much to do for their guests. They treated us all like friends. We will be recommending FWA to family and friends. Chris and Brian Lawrence…
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Date of experience: February 2021
Helpful
A great way to experience back country New Zealand at a leisurely pace. An overnight stay at Whangamonoma is not to be missed, meals and hospitality faultless. All FWA staff are excellent with the tour guide Ray explaining the history at each stop, makes you appreciate how 'easy' we have compared to those who 'broke in' the King Country and Taranaki. 100% value for money. Tony, Hamilton NZ…
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Date of experience: April 2021
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Response from Forgotten World A, Front Office Manager at Forgotten World Adventures
Responded 15 Apr 2021
Thank you so much for your review Tony - we're glad you enjoyed your experience here in the Forgotten World!
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Review of: 20 Tunnel - Rail Cart Tour
I had wanted to go on this trip for several years and kept moving it back. Don’t you do the same. It was a day never to be forgotten. The scenery is fantastic and the tunnels amazing. To think that they were hewn over 100 years ago . Imagine all the trains that have been through them. Our guide Ray was a wealth of knowledge and the history of the countryside came alive. The carts are comfortable and very safe. it was a long day but went so quickly.…
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Date of experience: April 2021
Helpful
Response from Forgotten World A, Front Office Manager at Forgotten World Adventures
Responded 15 Apr 2021
Thanks so much for your review!
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