Unfortunately there isn’t much left to see of the set. If you look really hard you might see some of the buildings used in the filming of the Last Samurai.
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The public road is as close as you can get to the village which is 600 M across the valley on private land. The station back down the road does tours of the village, But it will cost you $$.
While you are there, have a look at the road tunnel, it’s just another 2.3 Km up the road.
Drive with caution, the road is narrow, with very tight corners.
Remember you are not the only driver on the road, a cattle truck could be just around the corner.
Drive through the tunnel and down the road for 50 M to a safe place to turn around.
There are a lot of these tunnels around this area. If you are looking for a very scenic drive out in the true back blocks, then this is your road.
There are a lot of these tunnels around this area, if you are looking for a very scenic drive out in the true back blocks, then this is your road.
BUT EXTREME CAUTION is needed.
THE DISTANCE IS 37 Km back on to the main road then on to New Plymouth, about a 45 minutes depending how slow you drive.
To explore the back country
Drive through the tunnel and down to the end of MOKI Rd 4.4 Km
Turn Left onto KIWI RD, the creek should be on your left.
At 11.4 Km dive up the hill past the farm house and the air strip
At the air strip, is the walk to the Mt Messenger walking Track
Look up the Mt Messenger Track on trampingtracks
Now drive down the other side of the hill
At 14.8 Km Drive over the small wooden bridge and drive past the Makarakia Rd on your right.
At 16.4 km down the road is the start of the Rerekapa Hut track on your right hand side there is a sign on the gate.
Look up Rerekapa Hut track on trampingtracks
drive past the old red wool shed
At the next sharp left hand corner were the massive stand of pine trees are growing, this was the first sit of Rerekapa village in the early 1890.
Tunnel 2 on KIWI Road.
17.7 Km up the hill and through the second tunnel.
Now drive with caution. This section of road is narrow, steep and windy.
At 23 Km You should be at the intersection Of OKAU Road. Turn LEFT on to the sealed road.
24 Km Drive down the valley following the OKAU river to the Third tunnel and out on to the main Road at AHITITI 36 Km
Turn LEFT and drive 70 Km back to New Plymouth on high Way 3, there is one more tunnel to drive through Mt Messenger.
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