Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs has almost everything, and is certainly an award winner for the many who come to sample the subtleness of the area. Touched with sophistication but passive, or as active as you like ... there is something for everyone. People say the air is different here, and it is! The freshness of the air is pure and intoxicating.
At 380 metres above sea level, the Alpine Village in winter is often blanketed with snow, transforming the village into a winter wonderland. Hanmer Springs is a beautiful place no matter what the season - autumn offers a myriad of colours, spring has soft blossoms and an avenue of daffodils and oaks, summer greens are cooling to the otherwise warm weather.
The forest offers many lovely scenic bush walks ranging from half an hour to all day, all starting close to the Village Centre. Some of the walks wind their way through stands of trees, in one of New Zealand oldest exotic forests. The Hanmer Forest is unique as it contains so many varieties of trees that were planted around the turn of the century to assess potential value and to establish growth rates.
Other hikes take you through remnant native forest and can vary in grades and times taken. Mt. Isobel, for example, climbs to 1319 metres above sea level, through sub-alpine plants and offers wonderful views of the Hanmer Basin and beyond. Want to explore the forgotten lakes and valleys of the area and get off the beaten tracks? Then why not take a Guided Walk - and find out more about what the area has to offer.
The steaming thermal water, overlooked by towering trees, at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, are a necessity for those wanting to relax in one New Zealand’s finest thermal complexes. After a day's activities the thermal waters will soothe the tired and weary body. The Thermal Pools have been operated commercially for over 126 years. The first reported discovery by Europeans being recorded in 1859 by a farm manager from Culverden.
With such beautiful scenery and surrounded by mountains, as if to hide this jewel-like place away, not many are prepared for the variety of adventure activities waiting to be experienced. With so many activities to experience – choosing can be a challenge all of its own. Hanmer Springs caters for families, couples, backpackers or groups.
The Hanmer Basin