Things to do in Hanmer Springs
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Thrillseekers Canyon
Thrillseekers Canyon is the adrenaline centre of Hanmer Springs. Bungy off a 35m-high bridge ($145), jetboat the Waiau Gorge (adult/child $110/59) or go white-water rafting (Grade II to III) down the Waiau River (adult/child $145/75). Other activities include quad-biking (adult/child $99/90). You can book at the Thrillseekers Canyon centre, next to the bridge where the Hanmer Springs turn-off meets SH7. Another booking office (Tel: 03-3157346; 37 Amuri Ave; 10am-6pm) is in town.
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Laurels
The most common answer to ‘So, what’s the most romantic place in town?’, the Laurels works hard to showcase Waipara Valley wines and local produce including lamb and salmon. On cooler nights, beside the open fire is the place to be, while during summer, the action is alfresco in the delightful bricked courtyard.
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Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools
Visitors have been soaking in the waters of Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools for over 100 years. Local legend has it that the thermal springs are the fires of Tamatea that fell from the sky after an eruption of Mt Ngauruhoe on the North Island; Maoris call the springs Waitapu (Sacred Waters).
The hot spring water mixes with freshwater to produce pools of varying temperatures. In addition to mineral pools, there are landscaped rock pools, a freshwater 25m lap pool, private sauna/steam suites ($24 per half-hour), a restaurant, and a family activity area including a waterslide ($6). The adjacent Hanmer Springs Spa has massage and beauty treatments from $65.
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Monteith’s Brewery Bar
The best (and most central) pub in town features lots of different craft beers and tasty tucker from bar snacks ($10 to $15) to full meals ($20 to $30). Platters ($44 to $52) are good value if you’ve just met some new friends in the hot pools across the road.
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Green Chilli
Run by a friendly Thai family, the cosy Green Chilli respects requests for ‘spicy please’, and also offers good-value lunch specials. Service – usually by the family’s kids – can be hit and miss, but that’s part of the low-key charm. Takeaways available.
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Malabar Restaurant & Bar
This elegant eatery presents Asian cuisine from Beijing to Bangalore. Try the Malabar thali showcasing four different curries, or the mustard and star anise flavoured duck. A limited takeaway menu is available ($10 to $15).
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Powerhouse Café
Recharge your batteries with a huge High Country breakfast, or linger for a more sophisticated lunch of whitebait fritters and Canterbury lamb. An organic fair-trade coffee is a good trade for wi-fi access.
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Hot Tracks
Hot Tracks takes all-terrain Hagglund vehicles into the forests and hills surrounding Hanmer. If you’re feeling a bit gung-ho, then a self-drive option ($180) is also available.
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Hanmer Springs Adventure Centre
Books activities, and rents mountain bikes (per hour/day from $19/45), fishing rods (per day $25) and ski and snowboard gear. Mountain biking maps ($2) are available at the i-SITE.
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Hanmer Horses
Hanmer Horses leave from a forested setting 10 minutes from town on Rogerson Rd. Younger children can be led on a pony for 30 minutes ($20).
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Pickled Pig
Pizza, pasta and homemade gelato feature at this spot with an Italian accent. There’s also a small deli for picnic fixings.
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BackTrax
BackTrax organises guided quad-bike trips up into the hills, and along (and across) the Hanmer River.
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Hanmer Springs Bakery
Grab a takeaway coffee or a gourmet pie at this place that’s a taste of old NZ in rapidly modernising Hanmer Springs.
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Trailways Safaris
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Molesworth Station
Northeast of Hanmer Springs, Molesworth Station, at 180,500 hectares, is NZ’s largest farm with the country’s largest cattle herd (up to 10,000). Inquire at the i-SITE about independent visits to Molesworth, which is under DOC control. Visits are usually only possible when the Acheron Rd through the station is open from late December to early April, weather permitting. The drive from Hanmer Springs north to Blenheim on this narrow, unsealed backcountry road takes around six hours; note that the gates are only open from 7am to 7pm, and overnight camping is permitted in certain areas (no open fires allowed). Pick up the Department of Conservation Molesworth Station broc…
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Alpine Village Inn
Hanmer's most popular pub also offers good-value bistro meals. Look forward to T-bone steak, chicken schnitzel and mountain views from a sunny deck. Kids have their own tyke-sized menu.
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