Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs is a small spa resort in the South Island of New Zealand.

Get in

The town is on State Highway 7A, a spur from Highway 7, between Christchurch and Greymouth/Westport.

Get around

The town is small enough to walk around easily.

Do

• 1 Hanmer Springs, 42 Amuri Ave. Daily 10:00–21:00. The town is built around hot springs, called Hanmer Springs. You can laze in a variety of hot pools, some smelling of sulphur, some filtered and not smelly. Adult $35, senior (60+) $22, child (5–15) $20. (updated Jan 2020)
• Walk. There are lots walking trails going through the woods, ranging from flat and easy to steep and challenging. (updated May 2017)
• Mountain biking is very popular, with a great variety of track guides available to purchase from the Hanmer Information point.
• There are three quad biking tour companies in town available, offering trail rides through the spectacular high country landscape.
• Jet boating along the Waiau River. 11am, 1pm, 3pm (additional departures available during weekends and holidays). NZD130 (adult), NZD70 (child age up to 13 years), NZD350 (2 adults and up to 3 children), 50% off for Christchurch Tram & Gondola Annual Pass holders. (updated Dec 2024)

Eat

• 1 Saints Cafe, Restaurant & Bar, 6 Jacks Pass Rd. is a popular local joint, serving up delicious gourmet pizzas, with exotic flavours like Moroccan Lamb and Chicken and Cranberry. They make the toppings and bases themselves, and are a sure hit for sharing. The menu is very extensive and includes an a-la-carte menu, Stonegrill menu (400 degree stone with your meal cooking as it is served to you) and kids menu too. mains around $30. (updated May 2017)

Drink

Saints Café, Restaurant & Bar is where all the nightlife happens. They have regular live music and almost something happening after 22:00.

Sleep

Plenty of motels.

• 1 Hanmer Apartments, 4 Woodbank Rd, ☏ +64 3 315-7135, hanmerapartments@gmail.com. Check-in: 13:00 onwards, check-out: before 10:00. Modern, affordable, spacious, 2 bedroom luxury in 4.5 star + units. Free WI-FI, bike hire, pool towels and DVDs. Disabled access, all non-smoking, private patios, SKY TV, air-conditioned, kids play area. $159. (updated Aug 2015)
• 2 Hanmer Backpackers, 41 Conical Hill Rd. (updated Jan 2020)
• 3 Heritage Hanmer Springs, 1 Conical Hill Rd, ☏ +64 3 315 0060. Four star hotel with self-contained 3-bedroom villas. (updated May 2017)

Go next

• Waipara