Securing a 30-year lease on a mothballed section of railway line has given one entrepreneur the chance to start up a travel venture through some North Island wilderness.
Ian Balme, of Forgotten World Adventures, has leased the Stratford to Okahukura line which KiwiRail stopped using three years ago.
From October 13, Mr Balme will offer tourists the chance to motor along the 140km of line linking Taranaki to the King Country in self-driven carts.
The carts are modified golf carts that can be hired for a half day to two-day trips.
"This truly is a journey like no other. It's a magical part of the country and travelling by rail cart has to be the best way to see it," he said.