Hanmer Springs
Encyclopedia
Hanmer Springs is a small town
in the Canterbury
region of the South Island
of New Zealand
. It is located 65 kilometres southwest of Kaikoura
(135 km by car), in the Hurunui District
. The town lies on a minor road 9 kilometres north of State Highway 7
, the northern route between Christchurch
and the West Coast
via Lewis Pass
. According to the 2006 census
, the resident population is 729.
The town is built around a popular hot spring
which was discovered in the late 19th century. The hot springs were produced by the fractured rock bed along the Hanmer fault.
Hanmer Springs' Queen Mary Hospital, the South Island
's leading rehabilitation
centre for sufferers of drug addiction, was controversially closed in 2003. The premises were purchased by the New Zealand Department of Conservation
in 2008.
In 2009, a 4600 square metre extension to the hot pools complex was proposed including “a second [16m high] water-slide, ice-skating rink and relocating and reconfiguring the freshwater pool.” During the consent process oppositions were made to it by, among others, the Queen Mary Reserve Trust concerning the expansions effect on noise levels and visual impact. Concerns were also raised by former hospital superintendent, Dr Robert Crawford, about the change the development might have on the village’s brand of “slow tourism and relaxation, not wet’n’wild.”
After a hearing from independent Commissioner Robert Batty, on Monday, 18 January 2010 the proposal was approved. “The freshwater pool, new buildings, water slide/super bowl and the aqua play/ ice skating area are all to be on land from the subdivision of Queen Mary Hospital land.”
Hanmer Springs is a popular tourist destination, and the town's population swells during holidays. Bungy jumping, mountain biking and bush walking are common tourist activities, and there is an airline service available for the viewing of the town's alpine surroundings. A Visitor Information Centre next to the hot springs provides information about the area and booking facilities for transport. Trampers
can obtain weather information, maps and guidance from the Department of Conservation
. Budget accommodation includes a new Youth Hostel.
A daily shuttle bus connection travels from Hanmer Springs to Christchurch and back. The town is the gateway to the Molesworth station, Lake Tennyson and Rainbow station. During summer months, gravel roads through the Rainbow Valley to St Arnaud and the Nelson Lakes National Park, and through the Molesworth Station to Blenheim, Picton, and the Marlborough region are frequented by travellers, four-wheel drivers, and guided tour groups. There are two skifields in the Hanmer Springs area: the Hanmer Springs Ski Area
and Mount Lyford.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in the Canterbury
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
region of the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is located 65 kilometres southwest of Kaikoura
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1 180 km north of Christchurch.Kaikoura became the first local authority to reach the Green Globe tourism certification standard....
(135 km by car), in the Hurunui District
Hurunui District
The Hurunui District is a political district on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, north of Christchurch, New Zealand. It forms part of the Canterbury region and stretches from the east coast to the main divide. Its land area is ....
. The town lies on a minor road 9 kilometres north of State Highway 7
New Zealand State Highway network
The New Zealand State Highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Just under 100 roads in both the North and South Islands are State Highways...
, the northern route between Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
and the West Coast
West Coast, New Zealand
The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island, and is one of the more remote and most sparsely populated areas of the country. It is made up of three districts: Buller, Grey and Westland...
via Lewis Pass
Lewis Pass
Lewis Pass is a mountain pass in the South Island of New Zealand.The northernmost of the three main passes across the Southern Alps, it is higher than the Haast Pass, but slightly lower than Arthur's Pass...
. According to the 2006 census
New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
The New Zealand government department Statistics New Zealand conducts a census of population and dwellings every five years. The census scheduled for 2011 was cancelled due to circumstances surrounding the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, however, and legislation introduced to hold the next...
, the resident population is 729.
The town is built around a popular hot spring
Hot spring
A hot spring is a spring that is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. There are geothermal hot springs in many locations all over the crust of the earth.-Definitions:...
which was discovered in the late 19th century. The hot springs were produced by the fractured rock bed along the Hanmer fault.
Hanmer Springs' Queen Mary Hospital, the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
's leading rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
centre for sufferers of drug addiction, was controversially closed in 2003. The premises were purchased by the New Zealand Department of Conservation
New Zealand Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation , commonly known by its acronym, "DOC", is the state sector organisation which deals with the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage...
in 2008.
In 2009, a 4600 square metre extension to the hot pools complex was proposed including “a second [16m high] water-slide, ice-skating rink and relocating and reconfiguring the freshwater pool.” During the consent process oppositions were made to it by, among others, the Queen Mary Reserve Trust concerning the expansions effect on noise levels and visual impact. Concerns were also raised by former hospital superintendent, Dr Robert Crawford, about the change the development might have on the village’s brand of “slow tourism and relaxation, not wet’n’wild.”
After a hearing from independent Commissioner Robert Batty, on Monday, 18 January 2010 the proposal was approved. “The freshwater pool, new buildings, water slide/super bowl and the aqua play/ ice skating area are all to be on land from the subdivision of Queen Mary Hospital land.”
Hanmer Springs is a popular tourist destination, and the town's population swells during holidays. Bungy jumping, mountain biking and bush walking are common tourist activities, and there is an airline service available for the viewing of the town's alpine surroundings. A Visitor Information Centre next to the hot springs provides information about the area and booking facilities for transport. Trampers
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
can obtain weather information, maps and guidance from the Department of Conservation
New Zealand Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation , commonly known by its acronym, "DOC", is the state sector organisation which deals with the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage...
. Budget accommodation includes a new Youth Hostel.
A daily shuttle bus connection travels from Hanmer Springs to Christchurch and back. The town is the gateway to the Molesworth station, Lake Tennyson and Rainbow station. During summer months, gravel roads through the Rainbow Valley to St Arnaud and the Nelson Lakes National Park, and through the Molesworth Station to Blenheim, Picton, and the Marlborough region are frequented by travellers, four-wheel drivers, and guided tour groups. There are two skifields in the Hanmer Springs area: the Hanmer Springs Ski Area
Hanmer Springs Ski Area
Hanmer Springs Ski Area, located on Mount Saint Patrick, South Island, New Zealand is a club skifield about 40 minutes' drive from the town of Hanmer Springs. It has one poma lift, and two rope tows, giving access to trails rated as 10% beginner, 50% intermediate and 40% advanced.-References:*...
and Mount Lyford.