Forgotten Highway 43 Tunnels: Moki, Makahu and Kiore Road Trip Stops
Updated: Oct 12
The Forgotten Highway 43 tunnels are not grand modern feats of road design.
They are narrow, hand-cut, slightly nerve-testing reminders that this road was never meant to be rushed.
Moki, Makahu and Kiore tunnels each add something different to the Forgotten Highway experience. They are part engineering story, part backcountry adventure, and part “breathe in, pull your mirrors in, and hope nobody is coming the other way” moment.
This is exactly why they belong on the journey.
Route Map for Forgotten Highway 43, Central North Island, New Zealand
Moki Tunnel: The Hobbit’s Hole
Moki Tunnel is the best-known tunnel on the Forgotten Highway 43.
Located on State Highway 43 near Tahora, it is often recognised by its “Hobbit’s Hole” signage. The tunnel is around 180 metres long, single-lane, and was built in 1935.
It is narrow, dark and atmospheric, which is precisely the point. Driving through Moki Tunnel feels like entering a different chapter of the road trip.
The tunnel is around 19 km from Whangamōmona, the largest settlement on the Forgotten Highway. It is also close to the detour for Mount Damper Falls, making this section one of the most rewarding parts of the drive.
Location: State Highway 43, Tahora
Best for: Classic Forgotten Highway atmosphere, road trip photos, tunnel drama.
Makahu Tunnel: The Detour Tunnel
Makahu Tunnel is not directly on the Forgotten Highway, so it requires a detour.
That makes it even better for travellers who like the road less obvious.
The tunnel provides access towards the Makahu and Puniwhakau communities, Te Wera Forest, Aotuhia Station, the Bridge to Somewhere, parts of Whanganui National Park and the Matemateāonga Walkway.
Makahu Tunnel feels even narrower than Moki Tunnel, and its smooth shape comes from repair work completed in the 1990s after the original timber supports failed and the entrance collapsed.
It is one of those places where the road, the landscape and the history all feel very close together.
Best for: Detour lovers, tunnel photos, backcountry road explorers.
Photo tip: If someone else is driving, ask them to go through slowly while you photograph the tunnel entrance and exit. The light contrast gives the tunnel real atmosphere.
Kiore Tunnel: Small, Original and Very Narrow
Kiore Tunnel, also known as Matau Tunnel, is located on Mangaoapa Road.
This tunnel is still close to its original form, with no major modifications. It is only around 3 metres wide, which makes it one of those “breathe in” Forgotten Highway moments.
Kiore Tunnel is not polished tourism. It is simple, narrow and practical: a piece of rural infrastructure that still feels connected to the people who first needed access through this difficult country.
Location: Mangaoapa Road, Taranaki
Best for: Backcountry character, tunnel enthusiasts, road trip curiosity.
Why the Forgotten Highway Tunnels Matter
The tunnels are more than road trip novelties.
They tell the story of a region where access was hard-won. Roads, rail lines, bridges and tunnels were cut through difficult country to connect isolated farms, settlements and valleys.
Today, they give travellers a physical sense of that history.
You do not just read about the effort it took to live here.
You drive through it.
Travel Tips for the Forgotten Highway Tunnels
Drive slowly and use headlights.
Watch for oncoming traffic, especially at single-lane entrances.
Avoid stopping in the tunnel itself.
Use safe pull-over areas for photos.
Check road conditions before travelling, especially after heavy rain or in winter.
If travelling in a motorhome or rental vehicle, check gravel-road conditions and rental rules before detouring.
Do not try walking through the tunnels; it would be a very dangerous activity.
Best Bits Travel Note
The Forgotten Highway tunnels are not the biggest sights on the route, but they are some of the most memorable.
They are narrow, practical, historic and slightly ridiculous in the best possible way.
Exactly the sort of road trip detail that makes the Forgotten Highway unforgettable.
Continue the journey with the full Forgotten Highway 43 road trip guide, including Whangamōmona, Tangarakau Gorge, Mount Damper Falls and the Ohura detour.
Where to stay and car hire
Browse places to stay on Booking.com in Stratford, Whangamomona and Taumarunui.
Need a car? Compare car hire across New Zealand on DiscoverCars, with pick-ups at the main airports and towns.
This post includes affiliate links. If you book through them, Best Bits Travel may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQs
Where are the Forgotten Highway tunnels?
Moki Tunnel is on State Highway 43 near Tahora, about 19 km from Whangamōmona. Makahu Tunnel is a short detour off the highway, and Kiore Tunnel (also called Matau Tunnel) is on Mangaoapa Road.
Can you drive a campervan through Moki Tunnel?
Yes. Moki Tunnel is on the state highway and campervans use it, but it is narrow and single-lane, so slow down, turn your headlights on and watch for oncoming traffic. For the side-road tunnels, check road conditions and your rental agreement first.
Is the Forgotten Highway sealed?
State Highway 43 is now sealed the whole way, after the last gravel section through the Tangarākau Gorge was sealed. It is still narrow and winding with few services, and some side roads to the tunnels may be unsealed in places.
How long does it take to drive the Forgotten Highway?
The drive between Stratford and Taumarunui is about 150 km. Allow at least three hours of driving, and make it a full day if you want to stop at the tunnels, Whangamōmona and Mount Damper Falls.
Can you walk through the tunnels?
No. The tunnels are narrow and single-lane with no footpath, so walking through them is dangerous. Park in a safe pull-over area and take photos from outside.
