Hanmer Springs Travel Guide

 
by fishandchips
  •   Hanmer Springs
    by fishandchips
  •   Hanmer Springs
    by fishandchips
  • Beautiful Hanmer Springs area
      Beautiful Hanmer Springs area
    by balhannah
  • Waiau Gorge Bridge
      Waiau Gorge Bridge
    by DSwede
  • Hot Pools and Mountains
      Hot Pools and Mountains
    by DSwede

Pro

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 Great scenery, varied tracks and trails, nice hotpools 


Con

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 Not much to do if you prefer nightlife 


In a nutshell

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 Relaxing alpine jewel 

 

Explore Hanmer Springs

Things to Do  

Go for a walk

Go for a walk, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  Hanmer has a wealth of tracks to go for a walk and enjoy the local flora & fauna. Most are located on the north side of Hanmer with some steep paths up Conical Hill. You can purchase a map of the local tracks from the information centre located beside the Hot Pools so you'll... 

Hanmer Spa

Hanmer Spa, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  You can get some well earned (if you've had an active holiday!) pampering at the Hanmer Spa. It's in the same complex as the Hot Pools and is accessed through a separate entrance to the left of the Hot Pools. The Spa has plenty of treatments for tired and weary bodies and... 

Queen Mary Hospital

Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  Queen Mary started life as a recovery place for invalids back in the late 1890's. People went there to 'take the waters' of Hanmer springs found a few years earlier. The hospital went through several iterations as a place for recovery before it became the main place for the... 

DRIVE FROM HANMER SPRINGS TO KAIKOURA

DRIVE FROM HANMER SPRINGS TO KAIKOURA, Hanmer Springs

 balhannah Says:  From Hanmer Springs we headed to Kaikoura taking the inland scenic route. It took us past the entrance to the ski village of Mount Lyford and through Waiau. The scenery once again is fantastic, so if you have to choose a route, don't be afraid of choosing this one!Make sure... 

MARUIA SPRINGS

MARUIA  SPRINGS, Hanmer Springs

 balhannah Says:  We came across these beautiful springs in Lewis Pass, and decided to stay the night here in our camper van!The Hot Springs are totally natural but colour, temperature and flow rate can vary from day to day, and is dependant on the weather patterns and variation is especially... 

Scenic quad biking, Hanmer Springs

Scenic quad biking, Hanmer Springs, Hanmer Springs

 gmm_nz Says:  This is one of three quad biking trips available in Hanmer Springs, we did this trip as our motel recommended it for its amazing scenery and fun riding for any levels, which fitted what we were looking for.We got picked up from the information centre in the village, taken to... 

Hamner Springs Thermal Pools and Spa

Hamner Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, Hanmer Springs

 vincentf Says:  The popular tourist attraction in Hamner Springs - soothing in the hot spring baths of various temperatures. It also has a cold water waterslide. 

Hotels  

Settlers Motel

 129 Opinions

Hanmer Apartments

 213 Opinions

Restaurants  

The Bakery: The Bakery

The Bakery: The Bakery, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  The Bakery provide items as its name would suggest plus really good coffee using Christchurch based Vivace beans. Plenty of options ranging from pies to filled rolls and all of the sweet items you'd expect. The coffee was always nice and the spiced chai latte made with... 

Malabar: Malabar

Malabar: Malabar, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  Malabar is a posh looking place that serves up good Indian food. They have a takeaway service so if you want to save a few dollars and eat at home you can. As our holiday home was less than 200M up the road it was a perfect place to try. The service is quick and the owners... 

Powerhouse Cafe: Powerhouse Cafe

Powerhouse Cafe: Powerhouse Cafe, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  Assuming that Diner is American for Cafe - the Powerhouse Cafe is a small coffe shop come eatery that has a wide range of breakfast and lunch options plus a great selection of muffins, scones and a wide range of gluten free Friands which were fabulous.The service is quick... 

Nightlife  

Hanmer Village inn: Hanmer Village inn
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

fishandchips 870 reviews
Hanmer Village Inn

The Hanmer Village Inn is the local pub and is located in the middle of town. It's an old building that's been looking after thirsty travellors for many years. The pub doubles as a restaurant earlier in the night then, when the hour is a bit late, the tables are removed and the music comes on.

Dress Code: Anything goes here though clean and tidy is expected.

Written May 28, 2011

Related to:
 Budget Travel

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Transportation  

Getting to Hanmer

Getting to Hanmer, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  Hanmer Springs is about 1 1/2 hours drive from Christchurch, 3 1/2 hours drive from the Picton Ferry and approx 1 1/2 hours from Kaikoura. Driving from Christchurch includes some nice options for a tea break at Culverden (the Red Post), a beer at the Hurunui Tavern or a... 

Getting there...

Getting there..., Hanmer Springs

 CandS Says:  We drove to Hanmer Springs from Christchurch...it took around two hours to get there and we got some lovely views of Canterbury along the way. It is an easy day trip from Christchurch, although be warned that you may be a little drained/tired after being in the thermal... 

Shopping  

Marble Point Winery: Try some of the amazing local wine

Marble Point Winery: Try some of the amazing local wine, Hanmer Springs

 kiwi Says:  Just a small boutique winery shop, where you can sample and buy their wines. The owners staff the shop and add a personal touch to the whole experience.Cellar open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm You can buy the 2009 Reisling in town but at the winery you can buy the 2010... 

Urban and Outwear Clothing: Urban and Outwear Clothing

Urban and Outwear Clothing: Urban and Outwear Clothing, Hanmer Springs

 bryINpoland Says:  A great shop for winter wear, surf wear, skate wear and mountain wear. Prices range from moderate to expensive being the only shop of its kind in the area. The truth is, Hanmer Springs isnt renowned for its shopping. 

Sports & Outdoors  

Hanmer Half Marathon

Hanmer Half Marathon, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  The Hanmer Half is a fairly hilly run that starts at the Recreation Ground and finishes at the Hanmer school. The run starts with 2km up Clarence Valley Road and then moves onto forest roads before going back onto a main road. Next are some private tracks before coming back... 

Hanmer Golf Club

Hanmer Golf Club, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  The par 68 course at Hanmer is on the small side but has its challenges, mostly in the first half plus a tricky par 3 17th - especially if it's windy. The course has only 1 par 5 hole.Green fees are $25 for 18 holes for adults and $15 for children plus you can hire carts if... 

Hanmer 8km run

Hanmer 8km run, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  There are plenty of tracks in and around Hanmer that can be used for walking and running. A good intro to the annual Hanmer half Marathon is a run on a portion of the course. A good start point is in front of the Hot pools (get there early for a close parking spot). Run... 

Favorites  

Wooded Avenues and Alleyways

Wooded Avenues and Alleyways, Hanmer Springs

 fishandchips Says:  Hanmer is an alpine village with a forest on its doorstep. There are lots of trails, tracks and walkways to go exploring with many of the 'roads' wooded tracks. Some very beautiful places to walk and explore!! 

Natural Fuels and the Gasometer

Natural Fuels and the Gasometer, Hanmer Springs

 DSwede Says:  I must say that in my experience, even in the technical professions, I had never heard of a Gasometer. But I can't say that any longer.A gasometer is a storage tank for natural gas. Tapping into the natural ground fuels that surround the springs, the ground pressure helps... 

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Map of Hanmer Springs