Early start so we could be on the road for 9am, to drive back to Otorohanga, to visit the Native Bird Park & Kiwi House. Spent a long time looking at (no photography allowed) and learning about a female greater spotted kiwi (called "the other" in Maori) who was "with egg", but un-mated. Chatted to the bird keeper for a while - very informative! Smaller, brown kiwi next door, plus a morpok (native owl). Then outside to see dozens of different species of birds & native lizards in the park. The highlight was being able to feed the kakas & keas with walnut halves!

The bird keeper pointed out that the rear passenger side tyre was looking flat, so once we had finished (after another look at the kiwis) we drove straight to the garage to pump up the tyre. Then back south, through Te Kuiti & failed to find a couple of waterfalls that were marked on our map! One attempt included a few km on an unsealed road, with a huge camber from side to side! Caught the mud flaps &/or underside of the car a couple of times, and eventually decided that it was time to turn around and retreat, gracefully!

Found the third waterfall (Omaru falls) - a picturesque 1.8km walk through fields and forest to the viewing platform. Another lovely sunny day, and a great walk, there & back!

Learnt some Spanish in the car afterwards (padre orina en el rio!) and drove 50km south to Taumarunui. Stopped for fuel & to check tyre pressure, which was gradually going down. Luckily, there was a tyre garage 100m further along the road, where they removed the metal nail, & repaired the tyre ($31).

Stopped at the holiday park at the edge of town ($80) - lovely wooden cabin & great setting next to the Whanganui river & some woodland. Got chatting to the owners (Yorkshire lad / kiwi lass!) & they told us that we could see glow-worms (for free!!), about 10 km away.

On unpacking the car, discovered that the hinge of the boot had decapitated D's guitar! Un-repairable, so kids had much fun destroying it, before putting it into the chiminea!

After tea, drove to the old railway cutting, parked, and walked back up the road (in total darkness!) to see a stunning display of glowing fungus gnat larvae!