Hanmer Springs is a well-known tourist village in Canterbury, New Zealand. Hanmer Springs offers a taste of everything the South Island’s abundance of natural beauty, adventure, and history has to offer. Some tourists are unaware of the various opportunities to breathe in the clean South Island air or get their heart rate up in a place that is best known for its thermal pools. Discover eight of the top things to do in Hanmer Springs by reading on!
1. Travel via White Water Rafting
Hanmer Springs Rafting has you covered if two hours of gliding downstream on the Waiau River with trout and salmon sound appealing to you. The exhilaration of rafting down the rapids is combined on their guided white water rafting excursion with vistas of distinctive rock formations, fault lines, and pristine rivers. For thrill-seekers, the rafting is fantastic, and a jet boat will take you back to the base.
2. Go see the Maori Rock Art
The Weka Pass Historic Reserve is a must-visit if you’re staying in the Hanmer Springs region and want to go on a day excursion that will be incredibly memorable. Between 600 to 1000 years ago, the first people to live in the area left early Maori artwork on the protected rock walls. After a 40-minute hike, hikers may now see the artwork on the white limestone overhang in its original condition. Hanmer Springs is roughly an hour’s drive from the trail, which is definitely worth the trek.
3. Visit the quad bike park
Taking a quad bike trip with companies like Hanmer Adventure is one of the more action-packed things to do in Hanmer Springs. What better way to explore the untamed landscape of the Hanmer Basin than on your own quad bike on a self-guided tour? There must be no more enjoyable way to take in the magnificent scenery than while navigating rivers and hills.
4. Take a Bungy Jump
The top activity on many adrenaline-seekers lists of action-packed things to do in Hanmer Springs is bungee jumping. Additionally, Hanmer Springs Attractions offers the wildly popular bungy jumping adventure, where participants jump off the Waiau Ferry Bridge into the river below. When you can take a photo of yourself falling in the air, why settle for a dull Hanmer Springs tourist snapshot?
5. Relish in the thermal pools at Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools are likely the destination that attracts the most tourists. One of the things to do in Hanmer Springs that justifies the trip is their lazy river and 15 outdoor hot pools. Their spa facilities are available if you wish to experience less adrenaline. If you still want more, you can slide down a hydro slide that is 13.5 meters tall!
6. Visit a jet boat.
A jet boat ride on the Waiau river may be just the experience for you if a leisurely river excursion is more your speed than, say, 90 kph. The skilled Hanmer Springs Attractions jet boat driver shocks guests by flawlessly completing risky manoeuvres while careening through only a few inches of water. A jet boat is the fastest method to experience the gorges and rapids of the river.
7. Watch whales in Kaikōura
Make sure Kaikōura is at the other end of your journey if it starts or ends in Hanmer Springs. Whale viewing with tour companies like Whale Watch Kaikōura is among the most memorable things to do in Kaikōura and an absolute must-do. From their boats, they can see giant sperm whales and 14 other species of whales and dolphins. Because the tour company has a 95% success rate and an 80% refund policy, you can spend the money with confidence.
8. Shooting clay birds and archery
The archery range at Hanmer Adventure is the ideal place to put your abilities to the test if you want to channel your inner Robin Hood. Grab a composite recurve bow and some arrows, then challenge your friends to see who has the sharpest eye. Sessions at the range can be scheduled by the hour.
