One of Canterbury’s famous resort town gems is Hanmer Springs. The South Island is gifted with a bounty of natural beauty, adventure, and history, and Hanmer Springs has a bit of everything. Known for its thermal pools, some visitors aren’t aware of the many opportunities to breathe in the fresh South Island air or get the adrenaline pumping. Read on to discover eight of the best things to do in Hanmer Springs!
1. Go White Water Rafting
If two hours of coursing downstream on the Waiau River alongside trout and salmon appeals to you, Hanmer Springs Rafting has you sorted. Their guided white water rafting tour combines the thrill of rafting down the rapids with views of unique rock formations, fault lines, and crystal clear waters. The rafting itself is great for adrenaline junkies, and the trip back to the base is done by jet boat!
2. Visit Māori Rock Art
When you’re staying in the Hanmer Springs area and are keen to embark on a truly memorable day-trip, the Weka Pass Historic Reserve is a must-do. The first humans to inhabit the area left early Māori art on the sheltered rock walls between 600 and 1000 years ago. Now, after a 40-minute walk, hikers can view the art perfectly intact on the white limestone overhang. The trail is about an hour from Hanmer Springs, and is well worth the trip out.
3. Take a Quad bike tour
One of the more high-octane things to do in Hanmer Springs is to take a quad bike tour with operators such as Hanmer Adventure. What better way to experience the rugged terrain of the Hanmer Basin than in a self-driven tour on your own quad bike? There’s got to be no cooler way to enjoy the mountainous views than while crossing rivers and climbing hills.
4. Relax in Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools
Probably the attraction that draws more visitors than any other is Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools. Their 15 outdoor thermal pools and lazy river make it one of the things to do in Hanmer Springs that make the journey worthwhile. If you want less adrenaline, you can enjoy their spa facilities. If you want more, you can go rushing down a 13.5 metre tall hydroslide!
5. Take a Jet Boat Ride
If a gentle river trip is less your speed than say, 90 kilometers per hour, a jet boat ride on the Waiau river may be just the experience for you. Careening over just centimeters of water, the professional Hanmer Springs Attractions jet boat driver thrills passengers by perfectly executing daring maneuvers. There’s no faster way to enjoy the river’s gorges and white waters than aboard a jet boat!
6. Whale Watch in Kaikōura
If your journey begins or finishes at Hanmer Springs, make sure that Kaikōura is on the other end of your journey. One of the most memorable things to do in Kaikōura, and a total must-do is to go whale watching with tour operators like Whale Watch Kaikōura. Giant sperm whales (along with 14 other species of whales and dolphins) can all be spotted from their boats. The tour service has a 95% success rate and offers an 80% refund, so you can spend the money with peace of mind.
7. Go Bungy Jumping
There is no shortage of action-packed things to do in Hanmer Springs, and top of the list for many adrenaline-seekers is bungy jumping. Hanmer Springs Attractions also run a highly popular bungy jumping experience, where guests plummet from the Waiau Ferry Bridge toward the river below. Why settle for a boring Hanmer Springs tourist photo, when you can get one of yourself in freefall?
8. Archery and Clay Bird Shooting
For those who want to let out their inner Robin Hood, the archery range at Hanmer Adventure is the perfect way to test your skills. Grab a composite recurve bow and a handful of arrows and compete with your mates to see who among you has the eagle eye. Visitors can book sessions at the range by the hour.
