We had only intended to overnight here but it was such a beautiful spot we decided to stay another day. Located in the middle of the Forgotten World Highway (SH43), the Bushlands Campground,is a hidden paradise. The campground is situated on the banks of the Tangarakau River, in a lush green valley of native bush and manuka. This spot is very peaceful and definitely 'away from it all'. There is no phone or internet coverage, so its an unwind and get away from it all place.
The 'ghost town' no longer exists but there is a small museum at the campsite with a few artifacts and history of the area.
Tangarakau was at one time the second largest town in central Taranaki. Tangarakau's heyday was from the early 1920s until 1937, when the population peaked at 1200 people. It developed to build and service the railway and died when the railway closed. The school had 140 pupils, every house had one lightbulb and the town even had street lights. Electricity was provided through a 32-volt DC power plant, which was steam driven and powered by coal from the Tangarakau mines. The only original building still standing today is the school.
We spent most of our day here walking up to the Hidden Canyon, we saw the wild horses but could not find any fossils (there are supposed to be loads in the cliffs). It was a lovely walk and although we had been told it was very muddy it was not as bad as a Pembrokeshire winter walk!