Kiwi-Nutz
The Alternative South Island Diary
Hanmer Springs
We left Christchurch for Hanmer Springs. We'd heard a lot about Hanmer and were looking forward to getting into the heart of the South Islands Mountains. There are a lot of outward bounds activities here, Jet-Boating, Bunjy-Jumping, Quad-biking, Bikikng, Walks and Hots Springs. One thing though is that it is also a ski-resort! All well and good if you arrive in June through to September, but there's really not much in the way of snow for much of the rest of the year.
Hot Springs
The Hot Springs were quite something, all open-air, and very very warm. Decked out like a normal open-air pool, but simply full of people soaking up the warm mineral waters. Apparently very good for your convalesence, but I'd say great for anyone. The kids loved it, and they even had their own child-safe pool monitored by life-guards, with slides and other kid-stuff.
Restaurants
Being a ski-resort there are plenty of Apre-Ski bars and restaurants, which I imagine get quite busy in peak ski-season but they appeared quiet to us in January. All the same the food was good and varied.
Crazy-Golf
Crazy-Golf seems to be a national pass-time, just like the Uk coastal resorts, and the courses in Hanmer were well designed and fun. This we found was another always popular thing to do with the little guys. Just as well really because Quad-Biking and the like isn't much fun with three-year-olds by your side.
Accommodation
The accommodation in Hanmer was the best so far, but the cost mirrored the higher standard. We found another wonderful motel, that again offered two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and bathroom. It was immaculate and the cost was not expensive by any stretch of the imagination, at $150 NZD a night.
Hanmer Summary
Pick your reason to visit Hanmer very carefully. If you want any of the things in the opening paragraph of this page then it is the place to go. If you have young children then don't expect too much from the place. It caters very well for the outward-bound, adventure seeking set but you might find somewhere a little more suitable if you just want to chill-out. Would definitely visit Hanmer again when the snow arrives though.
