Hanmer Springs: Thermal Pools, Forest Trails and Mountains

Hanmer Springs offers a range of reasons to visit: at Thermal Pools & Spa, outdoor pools invite you to take a dip, while walking tracks range from short forest strolls to full-day hikes. Nature lovers and those looking for outdoor activities will find plenty to explore, as will travellers keen to experience the thermal waters. When choosing a holiday home in Hanmer Springs, it helps to think ahead about which of these kinds of holiday will shape your stay.

Thermal Pools with a History

The thermal pools in Hanmer Springs officially opened as a government spa in 1883. This gives the bathing experience a special historical connection: the town’s history is closely linked to its thermal pools. Today, visitors can bathe in one of 22 outdoor thermal pools at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. The offering extends beyond a single pool, making it a clear focus for a stay centred on bathing.

Conical Thrill at Thermal Pools & Spa offers a different kind of water experience. The attraction is considered New Zealand’s largest thrill water attraction and adds a distinct element alongside more leisurely bathing. When planning a trip for people with different interests, you can therefore distinguish between the thermal pools and an action-oriented experience, without treating them as the same thing.

Getting to Thermal Pools & Spa is straightforward: free parking is available on site in front of the entrance for all visitors.

Walking Tracks from Forest Strolls to Mt Isobel

Hanmer Springs is surrounded by and connected to a network of walking tracks. Options range from short strolls along forest paths to full-day hikes to Mt Isobel. This lets you plan your day’s walk to suit the kind of outing you want: a short stroll and a full-day hike are different undertakings and should not be treated as interchangeable when planning your holiday.

Hanmer Forest Park is easy to access from several points around the Hanmer Springs township. Nearby, the Waterfall Track passes through mountain beech forest. Dog Stream Waterfall in Hanmer Forest Park is 41 metres high. The forest, track and waterfall offer distinct points of interest in the walking area, and not every track covers the same distance or has the same character.

The Jacks Pass Track provides the shortest route to the summit of Mt Isobel. At the same time, the track is steep and is best suited to experienced hikers. Keep this distinction in mind when choosing a walk: the shortest route here is not described as an easy one. This lets you plan your day around your hiking experience, rather than looking only at the description as the shortest route.

Mountain Bike Trails and Horse-Riding Tracks

Hanmer Springs can also be explored by mountain bike: a network of mountain bike trails surrounds and connects to the town. The trails are suitable for riders of all experience levels. This offers cyclists a range of options, without suggesting that all the trails are equally challenging.

Brook Dawson Reserve also has a compact pump track. It is designed to improve cycling skills and confidence. This provides a distinct, well-defined point of interest for anyone interested in cycling; it should be distinguished from the mountain bike trails.

A network of horse-riding tracks also surrounds and connects to Hanmer Springs. Walking, mountain biking and horse riding are therefore separate ways to explore the area actively. When deciding whether to make Hanmer Springs your holiday destination, consider which type of activity is most appealing for your trip.

Choose the Kind of Holiday That Suits You

When looking for a holiday home in Hanmer Springs, it’s worth first deciding what you want to focus on: will bathing in the thermal pools set the tone, or are you mainly interested in walking tracks, mountain bike trails or horse-riding tracks? This makes the choice between thermal bathing and active days a clear starting point for your search for a holiday home in Hanmer Springs.

More places to discover: Amberley, Hawarden, Lyford, Cheviot, Leithfield and Gore Bay.

Back to the main travel overview: Hurunui District.