Romantic Hanmer Springs Vacations TravelWizard. Overview With their beautiful alpine setting, the outdoor hot pools at Hanmer Springs are a glorious place to rest and soothe aching limbs. Visitors can choose between large pools in a landscaped setting or small private pools with their own shower and change facilities. Conveniently located within the thermal reserve is a restaurant serving snacks and light meals.
Several walks go through the surrounding forest which comprises both native and exotic trees.
For those who want to return north the road through the remote tussocklands of Molesworth Station provides a spectacular alternative to the coastal route. This private road is only open to the public between January 1 and February 13 and links Hanmer Springs to Blenheim. The scenery is quite magnificent and well worth the small fee payable for using the road. Those who do not want to take their own vehicles along this unsurfaced road can join one of the safari tours starting from either Hanmer Springs or Blenheim. Touring Note Visitors who have continued south to Christchurch can still join Route 10 on the West Coast by crossing the Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass to Greymouth or Hokitika.