Food Tours and Activities in Hanmer Springs
Admittedly, most travellers visiting Hanmer Springs come for the adventure experiences or a long soak in the hot pools – or both! However, the journey there passes through a renowned wine region and towns hosting fabulous farmers’ markets that foodies simply can’t miss! Once you reach the alpine village of Hanmer Springs, you have gourmet lolly and fudge shops to scout out, as well as an array of eateries specialising in high country cuisine. Learn more in this list of things to do in Hanmer Springs for foodies.
For more food tours in Hanmer Springs, see The Foodie Guide to Hanmer Springs and find a place to stay using the 10 Best Accommodation in Hanmer Springs for Foodies.
1. Embark on a Guided or Self-guided Winery Tour of the Waipara Valley
On your way to or from Hanmer Springs, you have a whole wine region to enjoy! The Waipara Valley is a small wine region mainly producing Reisling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Either visit the wineries of the Waipara Valley independently using the 10 Wonderful Wineries in the Waipara Valley or enjoy one of the wine tours from Hanmer Springs with the Hanmer Adventure Centre who curate tailor-made tours for your group and palette. Alternatively, NZSI Tours & Travel offers private wine tours from Christchurch with a trip to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa included – check them out on Viator or Tripadvisor.
Location: Hanmer Adventure Centre – 20 Conical Hill Road. NZSI Tours & Travel – Departure from Christchurch Bus Exchange Lichfield Street – Regional Platform, Christchurch Central.
© NZSI Tours & Travel2. Enjoy a Wine Tasting at the Nearby Waiau River Estate
It’s worth mentioning the closest winery to Hanmer Springs, just in case you don’t get a chance to visit the others. Waiau River Estate is the home of two local wines, Marble Point and Hells Gate Wines, which you can pop in to try 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!
Location: 2254 Mouse Point Road, approximately 14km (9 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Indulge on the Sweet Treats of Hanmer Springs’ Lolly and Fudge Shops
Within the village of Hanmer Springs, you’ll find yourself in sweet-tooth heaven thanks to the array of sweet/candy/lolly shops available! Sample and purchase an array of creative flavours at one of the fudge shops, like The Fudge Shop or The Decadent Fudge Co. Alternatively, choose lollies/candy/sweets along with childhood favourites from all over the world at The Lolly Pot. This is also a good option if you’re travelling with kids, along with the activities listed in the 10 Things to Do in Hanmer Springs with Kids.
Location: The Fudge Shop – 16 Conical Hill Road. The Decadent Fudge Co. – 1/30 Conical Hill Road. The Lolly Pot – 5 Conical Hill Road, Hanmer Springs town.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Fish for Your Own Trout on a Fly Fishing Experience
For a more hands-on food experience, how about sourcing your own brown or rainbow trout with a flyfishing tour? Not only will you be encircled by breathtaking remote river valley landscapes, but you’ll also experience the rewarding feeling of reeling in your own fish. As selling trout in New Zealand is illegal, fishing for your own is one of the only ways to sample this freshwater favourite. Fly Fish New Zealand and Riverview Fly Fishing Lodge are both based in Hanmer Springs and offer bespoke fishing packages.
Location: Fly Fish New Zealand – 8A Scarborough Terrace. Riverview Fly Fishing Lodge – 749 Hanmer Springs Road, approximately 8km (5 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Take a Tour of the Greystone Winery
Back to the wine, get more of an insight into the inner workings of a winery and vineyard on the Greystone wine tour. This winery in the Waipara Valley offers 2h30min tours starts in the vineyard where your guide will talk about the grape-growing process before moving into the winery for visitors to taste wine straight from the barrel. The tour concludes with a wine tasting experience and an artisan platter lunch.
Location: 376 Omihi Road, Waipara, approximately 81km (50 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.
© Pixabay6. Check Out the Waipara Valley Farmers & Crafts Market
While there is the odd market that takes place in Hanmer Springs, they happen too infrequently to be worth listing. However, the Waipara Valley Farmers & Craft Market is another foodie highlight on your way in or out of Hanmer Springs! The market is a real artisan hub with heaps to sample and purchase, including goat milk products, dressings, hazelnuts, seafood, olives and olive oil, gourmet sausages, honey, cordials, cheese, fresh fruit and veg and much more! You’ll also find food and coffee vendors to keep you going at this bustling community event.
Location: Carters Road, Amberley, approximately 87km (54 miles) from Hanmer Springs town.
© Pixabay7. Experience High Country Cuisine at Hanmer Springs’ Cafes and Restaurants
What are the best restaurants in Hanmer Springs? We have links to various guides on restaurants suited to luxury, honeymoon and budget travel listed in The Foodie Guide to Hanmer Springs. However, the great restaurants and cafes for all occasions include Fire & Ice Cafe, Restaurant & Bar, which offers comfortable indoor and alfresco seating areas and 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 or outdoor 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.
© PixabayMore Things to Do in Hanmer Springs for Foodies
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:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Explore Hanmer and Hurunui (Regional tourism website)
- Hurunui District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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