Our favourite things to do in Hanmer

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Hanmer Springs is an alpine village around two hours’ drive north of Christchurch, known for its geothermal hot pools, forest trails and adventure activities. Here’s what we recommend to our guests, from the brand-new experiences at the pools to the hidden fairy doors in the woods.

Last updated 2 November 2026. Opening times and details change, so please check with each operator before you go.

Elemental: contrast therapy and New Zealand's first snow room

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Elemental is the newest experience at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. It’s a guided, 75-minute contrast therapy session built around four elements, moving your body between heat and cold in a set order:

Fire: start in a natural timber sauna, where dry heat warms you through and starts to release tension.
Air: move into an aromatic steam room for a softer, humid warmth that slows your breathing down.
Ice: step into the snow room, the first of its kind in New Zealand, with snow gently falling and a glowing wall of ice. The cold is a real jolt that wakes up every sense.
Water: finish in your own private geothermal pool and let everything settle.

Good to know: Elemental is for adults 18 and over, and you can add a massage and bubbles to make an afternoon of it. Let the team know beforehand about any medical conditions, injuries or pregnancy, and book ahead because sessions are limited. Find out more about Elemental on the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa website.

YourWave: surfing in the hot pools

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Hanmer Springs now has its own surf break. YourWave is a standing-wave surf pool built inside the thermal pools complex, using adjustable wave technology designed and made in New Zealand. The wave can be tuned for complete beginners through to confident riders, so it suits first-timers, kids and experienced surfers alike.

Because the water is geothermally heated to around 28°C, you can surf all year round, even in the middle of an alpine winter. The pools also plan to run a locals’ surf club, as well as private sessions for groups, celebrations and corporate events.

Launch: YourWave opens with a community party on Friday 20 November 2026 (see our What’s On page). Check the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa website for session times and age limits, or see the YourWave launch party details.

Thrills and adventure

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Hanmer is the adventure capital of North Canterbury. Most of the big activities happen around the Waiau River just outside town and can be booked through Hanmer Springs Attractions or the Hanmer Adventure Centre on Conical Hill Road:

Jet boating through the Waiau River gorge, often called Thrillseekers Canyon.
Bungy jumping from the historic Waiau Ferry Bridge.
White-water rafting on the Waiau River, with options for families and beginners.
Quad bikes and off-road buggies, on single-seat quads or two- and three-seat buggies.
Laser clay shooting, a fun and safe alternative to the real thing.
Adventure days that combine several of these into one action-packed outing.

Fun for families

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Fairy Door trail: more than 100 tiny fairy doors are hidden along the Dog Stream walkway and the Easy Rider track, each with its own made-up resident. Kids love counting them, and families keep adding new ones.
Forest Amble sculpture walk: around 16 carved sculptures in the woods, including a ruru, a tuatara, mushrooms and even the BFG. It’s one of the few forest walks open during the current tree work (see below).
Disc golf: a new disc golf course on Tarndale Reserve. Start from Tarndale Place for the first tee, or come in via the fairy doors at the eighth. There are 9 and 18-hole rounds.
Mini golf: Amaze-n-Golf (1 Fraser Close) adds a maze to its course, and Crazy Putt (1 Conical Hill Road) is right in the village.
Hanmer Springs Animal Park: feed and pat farm animals and meet some native species. It’s a great hour for younger kids.
Community food forest: fruit and nut trees planted around Tarndale Reserve and the forest edges, with plums, apples, pears, walnuts and elderberry. Pick a little in season and leave plenty for others.

Walks, bikes, golf and snow

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Please note: the Hanmer Heritage Forest is currently closed for safety work while arborists remove leaning and hung-up trees, apart from the Forest Amble sculpture walk. Check for updates before you head out on any forest track.

Conical Hill: the classic short climb from the village to a lookout over the Hanmer basin. Check that the track is open while the forest work continues.
Mountain biking: a big network of trails around the basin for every level. You can hire bikes in the village from Village Cruisers on Conical Hill Road.
St James Cycle Trail: one of New Zealand’s Great Rides, crossing high-country station land on the edge of Hanmer.
Golf: Hanmer Springs Golf Club has a scenic 18-hole course with mountain views, and visitors are welcome.
Skiing and snowboarding: in winter, Hanmer Springs Ski Area is a small club field above the village.
Molesworth Station: New Zealand’s largest high-country farm, reached by a remote road that is only open seasonally, usually in summer.
Saturday village market: local produce and crafts every Saturday morning from late October to mid-April.

Pamper yourself

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As well as the spa at the thermal pools, Hanmer has plenty of independent spas and therapists:

The Brazilian Day Spa (34 Conical Hill Road): a family-owned spa with experienced therapists offering tailored massages and treatments, including couples’ sessions.
Beautyworks (1 Devon Street): an advanced skin clinic doing facials, skin needling, nails, lashes and brows, waxing, reiki and massage.
Alpine Massage (12 Alpine Avenue): relaxing and therapeutic massage.
Magical Touch by Meena (10 Hanmer Springs Road): facials, aromatherapy massage, waxing, lashes, nails and cosmetic tattoo.
Hair on the Run (5 Conical Hill Road): cuts, colour and styling, including hair for weddings and formals. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

Make a day of it. Start with breakfast at Tease from 8am on weekdays and 7:30am at weekends, then come back for happy hour or dinner. We’re at 12A Conical Hill Road, a short walk from the hot pools, and open every day except Tuesday. Book a table or call 03 315 5395.

Planning around an event? See What’s On in Hanmer Springs for the latest dates.

Things to Do in Hanmer Springs