Day 20 - along the Forgotten World Highway to Tongariro NP

In the morning, unfortunately, there is nothing left to see of Mount Taranaki; the clouds are dense and hanging low.

I drive from Stratford along the Forgotten World Highway to Taumarunui; a distance of 151km. In Whangamomona, there is even a separate republic and you can get your passport stamped.

The further route partly leads over a gravel road until I finally arrive in Taumarunui and take a short lunch break here.

Unfortunately, the weather is not very good when I arrive in Tongariro National Park. I decide to pass the time until check-in at the room with a hike to the Taranaki Falls.

For dinner, I drive to Ohakune, and when I return, the weather has also improved.

A beautiful sunset follows:

Mount Ngauruhoe, the model for Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, appears in beautiful light. I can observe this relaxed from the terrace of the Skotel with a cool beer.