Hanmer Springs is a small town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, known for its hot pools.

The town lies on a minor road 9 km (5.6 mi) north of State Highway 7, the northern route between Christchurch and the West Coast via Lewis Pass.

[10] Access to the general area was provided by a bridge over the Waiau Uwha River in 1864 constructed by a Mr Handisides of Nelson for NZ£2,000 to a design by John Blackett.

[10] The member for Ashburton, Edward George Wright, brought up the question of developing the township in the New Zealand House of Representatives in June 1882.

[12] Surveyor Walter Kitson was instructed with laying out the site of the hot springs including an accommodation house.

[15] The government investing significant funds into Hanmer Springs without a bridge crossing the Waiau Uwha River caused considerable controversy.

[16] Blackett designed a new bridge and John Anderson from Christchurch won the contract to erect it, and built a foundry at the site.

This second bridge opened in 1887 and gives access to Hanmer to this day, with the structure registered as a Category I heritage item since 1983.

[21][22][23] Winters are cold and frosty, with an average of 116 nights dropping below freezing every year, with subfreezing temperatures occurring in all seasons.

"[32] 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.

"[34] Development had continued since then and Hanmer Springs currently has 22 pools and four water slides with the most recent: The Conical Thrill being opened in November 2019.

[5] Bungy jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, mountain biking and hiking are common tourist activities, and there is an airline service available for the viewing of the town's alpine surroundings.

The Conical Hill walk ascends to the 550 metre summit and provides a panoramic view of Hanmer Springs.

[45][46] Hanmer Springs is a gateway to the St James Conservation Area for hiking, biking, water sports, skiing, hunting and horse riding.

In July 2020, The New Zealand Government announced that it is investing more than $2 million to build a family-friendly twisting 850-metre long flying fox in Hanmer Springs.

[48] In May 2021, the resource consent application was suspended as planning showed that the ride would have to be modified due to the undulating hill side.

[52] In 1964 pupils of Hanmer Primary School planted a 0.6-hectare (1.5-acre) block of pinus nigra in order to commemorate Arbor day.

[53] In 2000, the Government sold the North Canterbury Crown Forests to Ngai Tahu as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement.

[52] In 2018 an art trail of animal sculptures made from a redwood tree by Christchurch sculptor Andrew Lyons was opened.

[55][56] The town is built around hot springs which originate in the fractured rock bed along the Hanmer fault.

The Hanmer Springs Queen Mary Hospital, formerly the South Island's leading rehabilitation centre for sufferers of drug addiction, was closed in 2003.

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.

It is also possible to turn the ride into a longer adventure with the option of making it a two-day trip, stopping overnight in campsites or one of three huts.

[62] There is an extensive network of mountain bike trails ranging from easy to expert runs in the forests surrounding Hanmer Springs.

As the entire ride is at high elevation (700 m above sea level) it is subject to extreme and sudden changes in the weather which have caught riders out who were not prepared.

[67] The Queen Mary Hospital for Sick and Wounded Soldiers was built on the site of the government sanatorium in Hanmer Springs.

[73] The original Hanmer Springs Post Office was built in 1901 and is a Historic Place Category 2, listed in 1983.

[5] There are also numerous introduced predators in and around Hanmer Springs including stoats, ferrets, rats, mice cats and possums for which Te Tihi o Rauhea Hanmer Springs Conservation Trust in partnership with the Department of Conservation are aiming to eliminate in order to support threatened native species.

The Hurunui District Council is the local government body responsible for providing services to Hanmer Springs.