Hanmer Hot Springs

[Big Dan]

Hi All

This is not really a rant

I'm looking at taking my partner to this place for her birthday and want to get feedback from you all if you have been there before and what packages you got and prices

from what i saw in on their website it looks like heaven with great views and wondered if it look like the way they sell its image online

would love to hear your thoughts and comments and any other ideas along the same lines

Take care all and ride SAFE
Big Dan

[Meekey_Mouse]

My parents and I went there about a year or two ago. It was in Autumn and cloudy so couldn't see if there was a view. But the pools were nice :yes:

[Ragingrob]

Isn't it HamnEr? Anyway, I've been there with the family...REALLY nice! Definately take her there :) I think you can get massages and all that there maybe?

[Krusti]

No it's actually Hanmer Springs..

[hospitalfood]

not been to springs but beautiful part of the counrty.bloody lovely part of the world.

[imdying]

Heaps of good houses and cottages you can rent for bugger all. Very easy to do, far cheaper than the motels/hotels.

[Mikkel]

If it's hot pools you're after and would like to enjoy them... don't go to the public pools during the weekend by any means. Also, the brochures don't show the prolific amount of school kids milling around the place, nor the fact that most of the pools are very artificial. Never tried the private pools.
However, it is a nice area - eating out in Hanmer has been dissappointing for me so far.

If it's the hot pools you're after, consider going to Maruia Springs on the other side of the pass - they are more quiet and nicer. Bloody expensive to stay overnight there though...

[Joni]

Big Dan - its quite lovely there... it has this small village feel... you feel as if you have arrived somewhere special!

Very nice in the winter when there is snow about and you are in the pools!

I would go with what Imdying suggests and look at a house in the area.

You can relax and do nothing but err relax in the pools etc.
But also a great place to go for walks, quad rides etc etc....

I liked the place very much.

[magicfairy]

When you go to the pools you can pay extra and get a private spa pool, rather than just use the public ones. Much nicer

[imdying]

http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&safe=off&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=hanmer+rental+accommodation&spell=1

Go nuts! We've used them for many weekends away, group rides, even for my stags do!

[HenryDorsetCase]

We've done a few of the "pamper packages" It used to be $260 and you got a nights accommodation, entry to the pools, a massage, sauna and private pool for a while.

That package has gone up in price now $295 I think.

There is a bunch of other stuff you can do in hanmer too: Great mountainbiking (lots of the locals go up there), and if you dont mind shingle you can ride or drive up into Molesworth which is spectacular.

The restaurants are OK (Ive yet to have a meal to rave about, but everytime Ive been we couldnt get into the one recommended ... called the Old Post Office or something). There is a Robbies for steak n chups and a couple of other pubs, plus numerous cafes etc.

We had a go at archery as well which was fun, plus you can go quadbiking and touristy type stuff like that.

We stayed at the Lodge which has had a lot of money spent on it in recent years, as have the pools.

Definitely a great place to go to chill out for a few days.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Oh, and if you want to get one of the big pools all to yourself, what you do is get a Moro bar, eat half, and drop the other half in the bottom of the pool, then wait for someone to notice it.

:)

Thats a trick from the University of Canterbury Canoe Club, by the way: Ive only ever been told about it...

[Hitcher]

Hanmer. A great destination for bikers. Lots of options for accommodation (although it pays to check as it's popular for sports teams and such) and options for dining, good bars and great riding roads. Just watch out for Old Farts in Corollas and campervans, and those with their hearing aids turned off. I once completed a perfect 1st-2nd gear change on my ZRX1200R at about 7,000rpm winding up out of the canyon from the one-way bungy jumping bridge. The howl of the Kerker echoed off the rock walls and resonated magnificently as the mighty Kawasaki ruptured the quiet of a sultry summer's afternoon. A group of Old Farts were walking the other direction to me and not one of them looked on in awe or admiration. The deaf philistine phuckers.

[yod]

make sure you go for a wander up conical hill if its a nice day, bloody marvellous views from up there

[Daffyd]

Pick up a copy of this month's (November) 'Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations' from your supermarket. It has a feature on Hanmer. Well worth the $6.50.

[Delphinus]

Go to Maruia instead. Its just a short ride down the road, far nicer place, better less commercial pools. FTW.
I've been to both places.


http://www.maruia.co.nz/

[scumdog]

Go to Maruia instead. Its just a short ride down the road, far nicer place, better less commercial pools. FTW.
I've been to both places.


http://www.maruia.co.nz/

Maruia- less crowded, less accomodation choices (expensive hotel or cheap tent-site next door)
And best attack pit-bull sand-flies I've seen yet.

Bloody nice ride, bloody nice scenery.

Hanmer - more busy/crowded, more choice of accomodation/eateries - and touristy stuff (mountanbike rides, jet-boat rides etc)

Cb and I have been to both while touring on bike - we like both but way less to do at Maruia (Use to be pronounced Mar-0o-weea when I was living in Murchison - now trendily pronounce Maroo-weea.)

[Big Dan]

Thank you all for your info and feedback i'm looking at going towards the end of marchso a autum trip

[HenryDorsetCase]

you'll appreciate the hot pools then ..... it can get pretty chilly up there that time of year. Alpine and that. Ive got a client who can sell you a section there for lots of coin if you fall in love with the place.

[Big Dan]

you'll appreciate the hot pools then ..... it can get pretty chilly up there that time of year. Alpine and that. Ive got a client who can sell you a section there for lots of coin if you fall in love with the place.

I've looked up flights for that time and its pretty cheap $350 return for 2 adults and i've already fallen in love with the resorts website

http://www.hanmersprings.co.nz/

Got to start saving now

[merv]

You need some trail bikes to ride over Jollie's Pass and up to Lake Tennyson. Over the pass is where the Rainbow and Molesworth Roads start.

Also make sure you go down to the Hurunui pub for lunch just for the fun of it.

Hanmer is a great place to visit.

[Big Dan]

You need some trail bikes to ride over Jollie's Pass and up to Lake Tennyson. Over the pass is where the Rainbow and Molesworth Roads start.

Also make sure you go down to the Hurunui pub for lunch just for the fun of it.

Hanmer is a great place to visit.

are there place down there that you can hire trail bikes or quads

[Beemer]

Only been there twice and both times in winter on bikes so the hot pools were very welcome. Bliss, makes me feel all nostalgic for a winter trip on the bike just thinking about it!

[Laava]

There is a Top 10 holiday park in Hanmer with some nice cabins. You will have to book tho. Down the road from there is a huge pub that does good food and you can do minigolf on the walk down there. I let my Jo win there twice!

[merv]

are there place down there that you can hire trail bikes or quads

Not sure, South Islanders might know otherwise do a net search. Only been there with our own bikes.

[pritch]

I was impressed with the Top 10 park - once I found it.

It's only a short walk from the Top 10 to the pub. When I was there (March) there was a busy "family" atmosphere and a big fire. The meal was good and not too expensive, the beer was $6.00 a pint though.

There is a little cafe in the "village" where I had the nicest presented flat white I have ever seen :-)

I'm looking forward to my next visit...

[Mikkel]

There is a Top 10 holiday park in Hanmer with some nice cabins. You will have to book tho. Down the road from there is a huge pub that does good food and you can do minigolf on the walk down there. I let my Jo win there twice!

That food is average at best TBH!

If you want something a bit more manly you can battle the sandflies at Sylvia Flats... there are natural hot pools (if the river isn't too flooded) and they are quite free of charge. It's just of the left of the road going towards Maruia from Hanmer - not signposted or anything.

[scumdog]

That food is average at best TBH!

If you want something a bit more manly you can battle the sandflies at Sylvia Flats... there are natural hot pools (if the river isn't too flooded) and they are quite free of charge. It's just of the left of the road going towards Maruia from Hanmer - not signposted or anything.


How far off the highway? - like a walk or a ride?

[MyGSXF]

If you want something a bit more manly you can battle the sandflies at Sylvia Flats... there are natural hot pools (if the river isn't too flooded) and they are quite free of charge. It's just of the left of the road going towards Maruia from Hanmer - not signposted or anything.

Yep.. they're ooook.. If ya like gravel up ya bum & mozzi bites the size of dinner plates! :crazy:


How far off the highway? - like a walk or a ride?

The parking/camping area is like right beside the road.. & the walk to the pools takes all of 1 minute. But there is "nothing" else there apart from a smelly longdrop! :sick: so unless you are camping there, or in a car, you will need to take all your gear with you & just strip on the side of the river.. but ya gotta strip REAL QUICK & get in the water before the sandflies/mozzies smell the fresh meat!! :doh:

[Delphinus]

Yep.. they're ooook.. If ya like gravel up ya bum & mozzi bites the size of dinner plates! :crazy:

I assume mozzies are not a problem during the cooler months? or do they make do with the hot pools?

[MyGSXF]

Oh yeah.. forgot to say... ;)

Hanmer is great, but I would definately recommend getting a private pool.. they are really lovely.. the back wall is all glass & overlooks a garden. There is a small waterfall falling into the pool & IF I remember correctly there was some music playing quietly.. not positive on this bit though.. was a bit distracted at the time.. :whistle:

Stayed at Maruia this weekend just gone (labour wknd). Rooms are quite expensive, but price includes access into all the pools (except the private ones) & includes a continental breakfast. Meal in the restaurant was rather yummy & the atmosphere was very peaceful!!! :yes:

In terms of having activities to go & do while you stay there (if you are there for a few days) you would be better off with all that Hanmer can offer.. but if you want a very lazy, relaxing & peaceful weekend.. go to Maruia!! :Punk:

Jen :rockon:

[MyGSXF]

I assume mozzies are not a problem during the cooler months? or do they make do with the hot pools?

I have stayed there in April & Oct.. & I couldn't see that it made any difference.. Hardy little f*#kers they are! <_<

[Kickaha]

are there place down there that you can hire trail bikes or quads

You can hire Quads in Hanmer, there's a couple of places that do it

http://www.fourcorners.co.nz/new-zealand/product/?product=backtrax-quad-bike-discovery

http://www.hanmeradventure.co.nz/

http://www.alpinepacifictourism.co.nz/Information/product/?product=hanmer-springs-adventure-centre

[SVboy]

My ex sucked me dry[not in a good way!] in the settlement and now has a holiday home in Hamner-sort of tainted me against the place!! Bitter, who me!!
Anyway-Hurunui pub-good place to stay-lots a character-then day trips to Maruia, hamner-the lakes-etc, without the tourist overload. Or,hire my ex,s holiday home& and leave a turd in the hot water cupboard when you leave.....!:rolleyes:

[Hitcher]

And going to Maruia requires a spanking snort over the Lewis. Yessss!!!