10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Hanmer Springs - ChristchurchNZ
10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs

© Hanmer Springs – ChristchurchNZ

Premium Tours and Activities in Hanmer Springs

With one of the most premium spa complexes in the country combined with majestic high country scenery, Hanmer Springs is definitely a place that deserves saving a few “treat yourself” experiences for. From epic helicopter excursions to indulgent spa treatments, Hanmer Springs has premium experiences right across the spectrum. Discover them all in this list of the best luxury activities in Hanmer Springs.

For more luxury tours in Hanmer Springs, as well as accommodation recommendations, take a look at The Luxury Guide to Hanmer Springs and the 10 Best Luxury Accommodation in Hanmer Springs.

1. Fly and Soak in the Hanmer Springs Pools from Christchurch

With this luxury activity, even getting to Hanmer Springs is an adventure. Join Garden City Helicopters for a helicopter excursion to Hanmer Springs from Christchurch, giving you a quick, easy and stunning way to experience the alpine spa resort village even if you are on limited time. Fly from Christchurch over the Canterbury Plains and into the alpine surrounds of Hanmer Springs on this full-day experience which also includes access to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa (more on that in point #7). Book this tour with Garen City Helicopters on Viator or  Tripadvisor.

Location: Departure from 73 Grays Road, Yaldhurst, Christchurch.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Garden City Helicopters

2. Do a Hanmer Springs Pools and Winery Tour

An alternative way to experience Hanmer Springs in just a day is on a luxury private tour with NZSI Tours & Travel. This full-day excursion from Christchurch takes you on a journey with a personal guide to Hanmer Springs where you’ll enjoy free entry to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, as well as tastings at three wineries in the Waipara wine region. There are also options to include a hot stone massage or jet boat ride should you want to curate a more comprehensive experience. Learn more about the experience on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: Departure from Christchurch Bus Exchange Lichfield Street – Regional Platform, Christchurch Central.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© NZSI Tours & Travel

3. Tee Off at the Hanmer Springs Golf Club

Now, for all the activities you can indulge in if you’re retreating to Hanmer Springs for a while, let’s start with one of the town’s most striking highlights. The Hanmer Springs Golf Club is an 18-hole scenic course which is about the size of Hanmer village itself. Play on beautiful tree-lined fairways with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The challenges are fun for both beginner and seasoned golfers, while all the gear rental is available from the club shop.

Location: 133 Argelins Road, Hanmer Springs town.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Pixabay

4. Soak in the Scenery on Luxury Jeep Tour…

Hanmer Springs is about its stunning surrounding high country as much as it is about its village attractions. Very few, however, can show you as much as quickly as Hanmer High Country Jeep Tours (available on Viator and Tripadvisor). Join your local guide, Phil, on a luxury 4WD safari to escape the commercial charms of the town and head for the highlands. There are plenty of tour options, including the short and sweet journey to the Clarence River, venturing around Lake Tennyson, or one of the longer tours including a picnic with a view at Lake Sedgemere or the Molesworth Recreation Reserve.

Location: Pick-ups from Hanmer Springs accommodation included.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Hanmer High Country Jeep Tours

5. … Or from a Scenic Helicopter Tour

Another way to experience the dramatic scenery of the Hanmer Basin is on a helicopter tour with Hanmer Springs Helicopters. You’ll get to see what others don’t on their scenic flights that range from short-and-scenic to extensive-and-thorough. Land on the mountaintops, which are sometimes snowcapped, on the Parks & Valleys tour or watch out for wild animals and venture to two of New Zealand’s largest high country stations on the Mountains & Lakes tour. See how the flights compare with others in the 10 Best Scenic Flights in New Zealand.

Location: 561 Hanmer Springs Road, approximately 6km (4 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Unsplash

6. Indulge in a Spa Day or Hot Pools Session at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa

Ok, let’s not waste any more time in getting to Hanmer Springs’ most iconic attraction. The Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa is the largest hot pools complex in New Zealand, which uses spring water that makes a remarkable 173-year journey from the snowy peaks of the Hanmer Plains to the thermal springs that feeds into the hot pool complex. While indulging in the array of hot pools in the main park is an experience in itself, there are many ways to up the luxury, from private hot pools to an extensive array of spa treatments at the on-site spa. Either way, you’ll come out feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Location: 42 Amuri Avenue, Hanmer Springs town.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Hanmer Springs - ChristchurchNZ

7. Experience Adventure on a Jet Boat, Bungy and Quad Bike Combo with Hanmer Springs Attractions

This is New Zealand, of course, so that spirit of adventure isn’t too hard to find in Hanmer Springs. Feel the adrenaline on Hanmer Springs Attractions‘ epic combos of jet boating, quad biking and bungy jumping or white water rafting and quad biking! Experience the thrills of bungy jumping off the Waiau Ferry Bridge, rafting the grade two rapids of the Waiau River Gorge, or blasting up them on a jet boat ride full of stunts and 360-spins. You can also ride through the bush to breathtaking lookouts on an ATV/quad biking tour. Check out all of Hanmer Springs Attractions’ combos on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: 839 Hanmer Springs Road, approximately 9km (6 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Hanmer Springs Attractions

8. Hit the Slopes of the Hanmer Springs Ski Area

If you should come to Hanmer Springs between July and September, you may be lucky enough to spend a day on the slopes providing the conditions are right. Experience one of New Zealand’s iconic club ski fields, Hanmer Springs Ski Area, for an authentic ski day away from the crowds, yet still with the luxury of groomed runs. You can hire all the gear you need from the Hanmer Adventure Centre and take the shuttle up to the ski field with beginners packages and lessons available on weekends. While definitely not the type of ski field you might be used to if you’re a frequent skier, the laidback ambience and uncrowded trails offer a kind of luxury that’s becoming more and more difficult to find. See how the ski field compares to others in The 24 Ski Fields in New Zealand.

Location: Top of Clarence Valley Road, 17km (11 miles) from Hanmer Springs town. Shuttles are available from the Hanmer Adventure Centre in town.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Pixabay

9. Do Some Boutique Shopping in the Village

While hot pools and adventure activities tend to steal all the limelight in Hanmer Springs, many are surprised to find a charming and creative boutique shopping scene in the village. From locally handcrafted artisan products at Creative Genius to an array of boutique clothing stores, like Mhor…, Mirror Mirror Boutique and Rohm, there are tens of shops to make pottering around town an attraction in itself.

Location: Creative Genius – 8 Chisholm Crescent. Mhor… – 28 Conical Hill Road. Mirror Mirror Boutique – 5/24 Conical Hill Road. Rohm – 4/24 Conical Hill Road.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© NZPocketGuide.com

10. Indulge in Some Fine Dining at Hanmer Springs’ Restaurant

Complement your spa sessions, hot pools soak, helicopter or Jeep excursion with some fine dining at Hanmer Springs’ exquisite restaurants. The Altitude Restaurant of the Braemar Lodge And Spa is a no-brainer for travellers seeking a special dining experience. Serving contemporary and seasonal New Zealand cuisine, the fine dining restaurant is open to guests and casual diners. More fine dining plates can be found at No. 31 Restaurant & Bar renowned for its premium New Zealand beef, Fiordland wild venison and a dizzying drinks menu that spoils you for choice. Finally, get the winery experience at Waiau River Estate with their restaurant of gourmet delights and in-house wine open Friday to Sunday (bookings advised). For more recommendations, take a look at The Foodie Guide to Hanmer Springs.

Location: Altitude Restaurant – 283 Medway Road, approximately 11km (7 miles) from Hanmer Spring town. No. 31 Restaurant & Bar – 31 Amuri Avenue. Waiau River Estate – 2254 Mouse Point Road, approximately 14km (9 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.

10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs© Braemar Lodge And Spa

More Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs

That’s it for the best luxury activities in Hanmer Springs. Find even more tips to make your luxury getaway exceptional in The Luxury Travel Guide to New Zealand.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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