From the famous thermal pools and day spa at Hanmer Springs to glamping in an alpine village, an exotic forest and a breathtaking sculpture park, we’ve rounded up five great things to do in Canterbury’s Hurunui District.
Georges Road Winery + The Wine Pod
The Southbank Precinct is named for its position on the southerly bank of the Waipara river. Flat, open countryside is perfect vineyard territory and there are several vineyards to explore here, including Georges Road Winery. First planted in 2005 with syrah, an unusual varietal for the pinot noir-friendly terroir of Waipara, and a significant amount of Riesling, Georges Road reflects the passions of proprietor Kirk Bray who learnt the winemaking ropes in Germany. Here, you can pop in for a wine tasting or linger longer with a build-your-own picnic platter to enjoy surrounded by vines. If that’s not enough, you can also stay on site at the small but stylish Wine Pod. A tiny house just down the hill from the winery, the Wine Pod is a serene spot to spend a night, with a spacious cedar hot tub where you can soak under the stars and a barbecue if you’ve brought your own provisions. Alternatively, take the 10-minute drive to nearby Amberley and check out Brew Moon for delicious local beer and wood fired pizzas.
Iron Ridge Sculpture Park
Iron Ridge Sculpture Park is the home and workshop of Waipara artist Raymond Herber. Here, in what was once a disused agricultural lime quarry, the park has been painstakingly rejuvenated into a tranquil space filled with imaginative creations. Herber’s metal artworks and other sculptures carved from pale local stone sit amongst cultivated native plantings and a serene fish pond. Best experienced with a BYO picnic (check out Crown & Pantry at the Amberley Hotel), the sculpture park has many interactive elements that kids will love, including self-pedal contraptions that activate fans or garden shears (the latter with a necessary safety shield installed). Make sure you climb to the top of the bluff to admire the marvellous Waipara views framed by Herber’s ‘Windswept Tree’ sculpture.
Hanmer Springs Heritage Forest
Planted with exotic trees dating back to the 1900s, the Hanmer Heritage Forest is woven through with a network of walking, biking and bridle trails. Paths are lined with holly and ivy; larch and silver birch stand overhead. It’s a bit like walking through an English forest. You can choose from one of the three walking trails of varying lengths, though the 30-minute forest amble sculpture trail is recommended. Wide, flat paths take you on an easy stroll that’s filled with sculptural surprises. Keep an eye out for carved wooden animals alongside the path or descending from the trees. The forest is also a breeding ground for kārearea, New Zealand’s native falcons between September and March, with signs warning about potential dive bombings from protective parents.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa
The star attraction at Hanmer Springs, the thermal pools complex is vast. Which is lucky, because it’s also incredibly popular. But the sprawling site can easily absorb the weekend crowds, and with 22 pools to pick from you’ll easily find space to soak yourself. The thermal pools have been operating commercially since 1978, and were well-known long before then – first opening for therapeutic bathing way back in 1883. Facilities have been added in recent years, including the massive water slides that are incredibly popular with families. If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, book yourself in for a treatment at the onsite day spa (best to do this early as it is often booked a month in advance) for a massage before winding down completely in the thermal pools. Submerge yourself in the tranquil rainbow pool, loll in the rock pools, wallow in the silky water of the sulphur pools or get pummelled by jets in the adults-only aquatherapy pools.
Glamp at Mount Lyford
Head north from Culverden. Pass through Waiau and keep going when you get to an increasingly gnarly gravel road to reach Mount Lyford. A sometimes ski resort (depending on the fickle snow conditions), Mount Lyford is a picturesque alpine spot that’s home to New Zealand’s only alpine log cabin village. All the houses here are built in the similar Swiss style. However, to really immerse yourself in the gorgeous landscapes, stay in the Harakeke Huts, operated by Mount Lyford Holiday Homes. Two teeny glamping pods, the huts are just big enough to fit a queen-sized bed each, with a comfortable utility room including a kitchen, bathroom and dining space in between. The sense of isolation is compounded by the lack of wifi or cell reception, so you’re forced to slow down and drink in the mountain vistas and crisp alpine air. You can really ramp up your wellbeing experience in the onsite sauna, baking in the cedar aromas while gazing at the mountain, and soak in the outdoor hot tub.
