All-Weather and Indoor Activities in Hanmer Springs – Perfect for a Rainy Day!
Sure, it can rain in Hanmer Springs, just like it can in the rest of New Zealand. Luckily, a good chunk of the town’s adventure activities is all-weather activities, while the famous hot pools complex… Well, you were planning on heading there anyway, right? Boss the wet weather in Hanmer Springs with these fun things to do in Hanmer Springs on a rainy day!
And when the weather clears up, be sure to check out the 19 Best Things to Do in Hanmer Springs.
1. Treat Yourself to a Spa Day or Hot Pools Session at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
You probably already knew that Hanmer Springs’ most iconic attraction is an excellent all-weather activity, so let’s get it out of the way. You’ll hardly care about raindrops falling on your head when your body is submerged in the thermal mineral hot pools of the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. Whether you opt for soaking in the main pools complex, decide to jump on the waterslides, or stay indoors and forget all your troubles with an indulgent massage at the spa, New Zealand’s largest hot pool and spa attraction is a good go-to when the weather isn’t playing ball. Book your tickets to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa on Klook.
Location: 42 Amuri Avenue, Hanmer Springs town.
© Hamner Springs - ChristchurchNZ2. Get Muddy on a Quad Bike Tour
Rain or shine, quad biking in Hanmer Springs is a blast! Plus, with splash jackets provided, you’re all set for the rain and/or splashing through alpine streams. Explore the exciting terrain of Hanmer Springs on one of the three thrilling self-drive quad bike tours. Your options include the Hanmer Adventure Centre (see their tour on Viator or Tripadvisor), Hanmer Springs Attractions (Viator/ Tripadvisor/Klook) or Amuri Jet (Viator/Tripadvisor). Farm, forest, river or stream crossings and spectacular viewpoints are common highlights of these tours.
Location: Hanmer Adventure Centre – 20 Conical Hill Road. Hanmer Springs Attractions – 839 Hanmer Springs Road and Amuri Jet – 869 Hanmer Springs Road, both approximately 9km (6 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.
© Hanmer Adventure Centre3. Go White Water Rafting on the Waiau River
With the idea that you’ll get wet anyway, who cares if it’s raining on a white water rafting trip?! It’s you and your team against the choppy waters of the Waiau River on the exciting grade two rafting trip with Hanmer Springs Attractions (more info on Viator, Tripadvisor and Klook) or Amuri Jet (Viator/Tripadvisor). The journey features dramatic views of soaring peaks, marble formations, river gorges to sections of a shallow braided river. Even in the rain, just try to resist jumping out of your raft for a swim!
Location: Hanmer Springs Attractions – 839 Hanmer Springs Road and Amuri Jet – 869 Hanmer Springs Road, both approximately 9km (6 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Paddle Down the Waiau River in an Inflatable Canoe
In the same vein as the above point, canoeing on the Waiau River might be best left for a rainy day in Hanmer Springs. You’ll be equipped with wetsuits as you double up in an inflatable canoe to paddle along the gentle waters and rapids of the Waiau River. On this six-hour tour with Hanmer Springs Attractions, experience the stunning countryside, river gorge waterfalls and some surprises along the way. You’ll stop on the riverbank for a scenic picnic and end your journey with a jet boat ride back to the base. Find out more about this tour on Viator and Tripadvisor. We also list this activity in the 10 Things to Do in Hanmer Springs with Kids.
Location: 839 Hanmer Springs Road, approximately 9km (6 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.
© Hanmer Springs Attractions5. Check Out the Art Galleries
Inspire yourself while beating a rainy day in Hanmer Springs by pottering around the art galleries. One of your options is the intimate Amuri Community Arts Council Gallery, hidden within the Hanmer Springs Library. Alternatively, check out the Tait Gallery to browse an array of glasswork, woodwork, pottery, jewellery and paintings from New Zealand artists. We also like the Majuba Gallery for its contemporary art and jewellery.
Location: Amuri Community Arts Council Gallery – 49 Amuri Avenue. Tait Gallery – 34 Conical Hill Road. Majuba Gallery – 5 Conical Hill Road.
© Pixabay6. Enjoy a Wine Tasting at the Waiau River Estate
For the foodies among you, a rainy day is a good opportunity to try the wine at not only the closest winery to Hanmer Springs but one of the highest wineries and vineyards in the country. Waiau River Estate is the home of two local wines, Marble Point and Hells Gate Wines, where you can pop in for tastings from Friday to Sunday. They also operate a seasonal cafe (usually open in the summer) serving gourmet cuisine alongside local wine and breathtaking vineyard views. Raw honey tastings are also available. Check out more like this in the 7 Things to Do in Hanmer Springs for Foodies.
Location: 2254 Mouse Point Road, approximately 14km (9 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Feed the Animals at the Hanmer Springs Animal Park
Yes, even in the rain you can meet some of New Zealand’s (and the world’s) famous farm species at the Hanmer Springs Animal Park! This affordable family-friendly attraction allows you to pet and feed the sheep, goats, pigs, ponies, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, cow, texas longhorn, ostriches, emus, wallabies, water buffalos and deers. With undercover picnic and petting areas, you’ll find spaces to keep out of the rain.
Location: 108 Rippingale Road, approximately 2km (1 mile) from Hanmer Springs town centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Soak in the Scenery on a Jeep Tour
While the rain might keep you from hiking, mountain biking or flying in a helicopter to check out the surrounding landscapes, Jeep tours allow you to get further while being in the comfort of an enclosed vehicle. Hanmer High Country Jeep Tours (available on Viator and Tripadvisor) can take you on a 4WD safari to escape the commercial charms of the village and head for the highlands! There are plenty of tour options to choose from, 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. Check out more like this in the 10 Luxury Activities in Hanmer Springs.
Location: Pick-ups from Hanmer Springs accommodations included.
© Hanmer High Country Jeep Tours9. Do Some Boutique Shopping in the Village
Many are surprised to find a charming and creative boutique shopping scene in Hanmer Springs, which is worth checking out especially if it’s a rainy day. 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.
© NZPocketGuide.com10. Have a Bite to Eat at Hanmer Springs’ Cafes and Restaurants
When all else fails, you can always wait out the rain in a cosy cafe or warm restaurant where a roaring fire is a staple of Hanmer Springs’ restaurants. We list restaurants in various guides, which are suited to luxury, honeymoon and budget travel, which you can check out in The Foodie Guide to Hanmer Springs.
The best restaurants and cafes for all occasions, however, include Fire & Ice Cafe, Restaurant & Bar with their signature dishes including their seafood platters and “Farm on a Plate”. Reflecting the high country environment, the Five Stags Restaurant and Bar offers hearty Kiwi cuisine and drinks in a bar with a hunting lodge design concept. If you like this, you might also like the Monteith’s Brewery Bar, pouring beer and cider brewed on the West Coast along with platters and other Kiwi meals to enjoy beside the indoor fireplace. Finally, set in a historic hydroelectric power station building, The Powerhouse Cafe is a good go-to for breakfast and lunch offering an array of freshly-made food with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options.
Location: Fire & Ice Cafe, Restaurant & Bar – 37 Amuri Avenue. Five Stags Restaurant and Bar – 2 Fraser Close. Monteith’s Brewery Bar – 47 Amuri Avenue. The Powerhouse Cafe – 8 Jacks Pass Road.
© Pixabay11. Binge-Watch 365 Days, 365 Activities in New Zealand
If all else fails, you can always get some inspiration for your next epic New Zealand activity by watching New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year on YouTube. Watch as the team behind NZ Pocket Guide take on 365 Days: 365 Activities in New Zealand! Make sure to subscribe.
More Things to Do in Hanmer Springs
That’s it for our list of things to do in Hanmer Springs on a rainy day. For more activity inspiration, check out the following guides:
