Woke to 90% cloudy grey skies & intermittent light drizzle. Discussed our options, & decided to drive up to Chateau Tongariro, to check out the forecast at the Whakapapa Visitors Centre. When we got there, the cloud lifting & weather clearing was now not expected until the evening. We reluctantly gave up our ideas of doing part of the Tongariro Crossing, as it really would have to be "perfect" weather for such a task to be worthwhile!

Took a couple of final scenic mountain views as we left, & retraced our journey from the cabin, & then onto Tokaanu, to revisit the thermal pools that we had so enjoyed, a few weeks previously!

After an hour in the hot pool, we continued north for another hour, or so, then stopped for a picnic lunch by the dam at Whakamaru Hydro Village.

Another 80km north, on SH1, brought us to Matamata, aka: Hobbiton. We stopped in town to get some information at the i-site about the tours to the filming location, & local accommodation. We ended up 6km out of town, at Opal Springs Holiday Park & Thermal Pools! $78 for a kitchen cabin with separate room with bunks for the kids, plus (as a bonus) free entrance to the pools! M was delighted: 3 swims in 2 days! We abandoned our plans to try to find a library, & donned our swimming costumes for another fun hour, splashing around in the big pool (26-32˚c), with occasional dips into the 2 smaller pools (37 & 39˚c).

Afterwards, L showered kids, while D prepared tea. Decided to stay another night, so d went to the office to pay (again!) & got chatting about the Hobbiton tour - discovered that the set has been rebuilt for the filming of The Hobbit (finished a couple of weeks ago) & is currently being fully maintained, in case any re-shoots are necessary. Confidentiality agreements mean that no photos or details may be published, but, basically, this is the best possible time to visit the location!