Taranaki, the Forgotten World Highway and Whanganui by Campervan

Quick summary: The North Island’s west coast is a rewarding campervan and motorhome detour, dominated by Taranaki, a near-perfect volcanic cone rising alone above green farmland and black-sand surf beaches. This route links Waitomo with New Plymouth via the dramatic Awakino Gorge and the Three Sisters, circles the mountain on the Surf Highway, and continues to the river city of Whanganui. For the adventurous, the Forgotten World Highway cuts inland through remote hill country. Allow three to four days.

At a glance
Start and end	Te Kūiti to New Plymouth, then around Taranaki to Whanganui
Distance	Around 160 km Te Kūiti to New Plymouth; around 160 km New Plymouth to Whanganui
Pure driving time	Around 2 hr to New Plymouth; around 2 hr from New Plymouth to Whanganui
Alternative	Forgotten World Highway, Stratford to Taumarunui, around 150 km
Recommended time	3–4 days
Road character	Sealed main routes; winding gorge and coastal roads; partly unsealed on the Forgotten World Highway
Key stops	Awakino Gorge, Mokau, Three Sisters, New Plymouth, Egmont National Park, Surf Highway 45, Hāwera, Whanganui
Overnight options	Holiday parks in New Plymouth, Ōakura, Ōpunake, Hāwera and Whanganui
Nearest pickup city	Wellington or Auckland
Best for	Mountain scenery, surf beaches, gardens, rivers and quiet roads

Why is Taranaki worth including?

Because few places have such a striking centrepiece. Taranaki Maunga rises to 2,518 m, a classic symmetrical volcano that dominates the view from almost everywhere in the region. Its slopes are covered in rainforest within Egmont National Park, laced with walking tracks, and on clear days its snowy summit is visible across the farmland and from the surf beaches below.

New Plymouth is a lively, creative city with a celebrated coastal walkway and one of the country’s leading art galleries. To the south, Whanganui is a historic river city on the banks of the Whanganui River, sacred to local iwi and one of New Zealand’s great canoe journeys.

What are the best stops on this route?

Stop	Distance from Te Kūiti	Time to allow	Campervan notes
Awakino Gorge	Around 50 km	15 min	Winding gorge with a road tunnel
Mokau	Around 85 km	30 min	River-mouth village and beach
Three Sisters (Tongaporutu)	Around 105 km	1 hour	Sea stacks, best at low tide
New Plymouth	Around 160 km	1–2 days	Coastal walkway, gallery, gardens
Egmont National Park	Around 30 km from New Plymouth	Half a day to a full day	Mountain walks and waterfalls
Surf Highway 45 (Ōakura, Ōpunake)	Around 15–65 km from New Plymouth	Half a day	Surf beaches around the mountain
Hāwera	Around 105 km from New Plymouth	30 min	Water tower lookout, services
Whanganui	Around 160 km from New Plymouth	1 day	River city, paddle steamer, river journeys

The Awakino Gorge and the Three Sisters

South of Te Kūiti, State Highway 3 winds through the bush-clad Awakino Gorge, including a short road tunnel, then reaches the coast at Mokau. At Tongaporutu, the Three Sisters are tall sandstone sea stacks standing on the beach, best visited around low tide.

New Plymouth

New Plymouth’s Coastal Walkway stretches along the waterfront, crossing the striking Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, whose arch frames Taranaki Maunga perfectly. The Len Lye Centre and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is an architectural landmark, and Pukekura Park is one of the country’s finest public gardens.

Egmont National Park

Roads lead up the mountain to visitor areas at North Egmont, Dawson Falls and East Egmont, each with walks through rainforest and up into the alpine zone. The walk to the Pouakai Tarns, where the mountain is reflected in small alpine pools, is a classic. The roads up the mountain are steep and narrow; drive with care.

Surf Highway 45

State Highway 45 curves around the western side of the mountain past black-sand surf beaches, small farming towns and the Cape Egmont lighthouse. Ōakura and Ōpunake are popular surf spots.

Whanganui

Whanganui is one of New Zealand’s oldest cities, with heritage buildings along the riverbank, a thriving arts scene and glassblowing studios. The historic paddle steamer Waimarie cruises the river, and the Whanganui River Road leads upstream through remote river settlements.

What is the Forgotten World Highway?

State Highway 43, the Forgotten World Highway, runs around 150 km between Stratford and Taumarunui through remote hill country, past historic settlements, a single-lane tunnel and four saddles with sweeping views. Whangamōmona, a tiny settlement that famously declared itself a “republic”, has a historic hotel. Part of the route through the Tangarakau Gorge is unsealed and the road is narrow and winding, so check your rental terms first; see our guide to roads to check in your rental terms.

What tours and experiences are available along this route?

• Guided walks in Egmont National Park, including summit climbs with mountain guides.
• Whanganui River canoe and kayak journeys, including guided multi-day trips on the Whanganui Journey Great Walk.
• Jet boat trips up the Whanganui River, including to the Bridge to Nowhere.
• Paddle steamer cruises on the Whanganui River.
• Surfing lessons along Surf Highway 45.
• Garden visits in New Plymouth and around Taranaki.

Where can you stay overnight on this route?

• Holiday parks in New Plymouth, Ōakura, Ōpunake, Hāwera and Whanganui, several beside the beach.
• DOC campsites in Egmont National Park and along the Whanganui River.
• Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is available at some spots where permitted; check locally and see our freedom camping guide.

What are the driving conditions like?

State Highway 3 through the Awakino Gorge and along the coast is sealed but winding. Around the mountain, the roads are gentle through farmland, while the access roads up into Egmont National Park are steep and narrow. The Forgotten World Highway is narrow, winding and partly unsealed, with few services. The road from Whanganui south towards Wellington is easy.

Where are fuel, supermarkets and dump stations?

Te Kūiti, New Plymouth, Hāwera, Stratford and Whanganui have supermarkets and fuel. Services are very limited on the Forgotten World Highway, so fill up beforehand. See our dump stations and water guide.

How long should you spend on this route?

• Day 1: Waitomo to New Plymouth, around 175 km, via the Awakino Gorge and the Three Sisters.
• Day 2: New Plymouth’s Coastal Walkway, then a walk in Egmont National Park.
• Day 3: Surf Highway 45 around the mountain to Hāwera and on to Whanganui.
• Day 4: A Whanganui River trip, then south to Wellington, around 195 km.

Can you drive an RV up to the Egmont National Park visitor areas?

Yes, with care. Roads climb to the visitor areas at North Egmont, Dawson Falls and East Egmont, but they are steep and narrow, with tight bends near the top. A campervan copes easily; in a larger motorhome, take it slowly and allow room to turn at the car parks.

Which routes connect to this leg?

• Before: Waikato and Waitomo.
• Next: continue south from Whanganui to the Kāpiti Coast and Wellington, or inland via the Whanganui River Road and Raetihi to Tongariro.

Plan this route from Wellington

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Frequently Asked Questions