Hanmer Springs offers the best place to spend time away with friends. Especially when life is a bit chaotic. Decompressing with friends is a great way to spend the weekend, and why not do it in a beautiful location.
Over the past 3 months there have been some big changes in my life and I was needing some good R’n’R time away with the girls. Gossiping over a glass of bubbles and sharing life’s lessons while soaking in thermal pools sounded perfect.
When planning our weekend away, we wanted a destination that offered idyllic, snowy tipped mountains and a roaring fire to help us relax and enjoy our time together.
A Girls’ Weekend Getaway: Hanmer Springs and Christchurch
Recently I was laid off. It wasn’t a big surprise, but it was still a pretty rough time. To help with the big change, and having to say goodbye to work colleagues who have become great friends, we decided we needed a girls weekend away. There’s nothing quite like escaping for a weekend of relaxation, adventure and great food. Our destination? The charming alpine village of Hanmer Springs, a 90 minute drive north from Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand.
Renowned for their thermal pools, stunning scenery and delicious food, Hanmer Springs turned out to be the perfect spot for a girls’ weekend away.
If you’re looking for a great weekend escape too, with the girls or even a romantic break for 2, here’s a weekend itinerary, for a relaxing and unwinding weekend:
Day 1: Arrival in Hanmer Springs
The nearest city to Hanmer Springs is Christchurch. With flights from Auckland as cheap as $69 one-way on sale, it is an easy hour, twenty minute flight south.
I flew into Christchurch, from Auckland at 9.20am on Saturday morning ready to get the weekend started.
Grab breakfast at a local cafe by the Airport (we opted for the Coffee Club in the nearby Spitfire Mall), before heading north to Hanmer Springs. It’s country road from Christchurch to Hanmer but an easy drive, giving you sprawling views of some of Canterbury’s rolling landscapes. Surrounded by snowy tipped mountains off in the distance to the east, it’s easy to fall in love with the South Islands natural beauty.
As you turn off the highway towards Hanmer, make sure to stop at the Waiau River lookout (just past the one-way bridge on your left-hand side). Offering beautiful views from the mountains, down the gorge to the river. If you’re lucky you may even catch a bungy jump.
If you’re a little more adventurous, they offer bungy jumping, jet boat rides and quad biking on and near the river. You can book tickets here in advance, or there are booking offices on the main road in town.
Home base for the weekend is Hanmer Springs Retreat Motel. Check-in isn’t until 2.00pm so head into town for a leisurely walk along Hanmer Springs main street. For such a small town, Hanmer has a great selection of shopping, including New Zealand designers, wool, arts and crafts.
Lunch at Fire and Ice Restaurant Cafe & Bar
For lunch, checkout local Cafe and Bar, Fire & Ice. If the weathers nice, sit in the courtyard and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms. Located in the heart of Hanmer Springs, this Cafe and Bar has great reviews. It has a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for catching up over a delicious meal.
The menu caters to various tastes, with seasonal specials located on boards around the Cafe. They also have some great cocktails on offer.
I ordered the Chicken and Waffles special, while my friends opted for a pasta dish. We also tried their version of a Yuzu Fizz and although not quite to my liking, my friend loved it, going in for seconds. I really thought I would have room for the house made Caramello cheesecake, but after a whole plate of waffles I couldn’t fit anything else in.
If you’re looking for a family friendly place to grab a bite, then definitely check this out. With plenty of outdoor space, a playground and a great indoor-outdoor flow, this cafe and bar is a great way to enjoy the spoils of Hanmer Springs.
Hanmer Springs Retreat Motel
After a lazy lunch, head on down to the Motel – Hanmer Springs Retreat Motel. If you love small, picturesque towns, Hanmer Springs will steal your heart with its mountain air and quaint charm.
This cozy, budget-friendly accommodation provides the perfect balance between comfort and convenience. With spacious rooms and a peaceful ambiance, it will be a perfect place to call home while you’re here. Hanmer Springs Retreat is ideally located, just a short walk from the heart of the village, with the Five Stags directly behind the motel and a fun mini-golf a couple of minutes walk from the front gate.
After checking in, we freshened up and headed straight to the town’s most famous attraction: the hot pools.
Relaxing at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools
The Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa is renowned for its therapeutic properties. This iconic destination offers a wide variety of pools, each heated to different temperatures. There’s nothing like soaking in the mineral-rich waters with your girlfriends, surrounded by mountain views. The pools are a blend of relaxation and fun, with the cooler family pools featuring water slides and the warmer adult pools providing a more tranquil experience.
We opted for the quiet, relaxation pools to the left of the entrance, allowing the warmth to soothe our muscles after the drive. As we sank into the geothermal waters, we felt our stress melt away. We spent approximately 3 hours soaking, it cost $40 per adult with an extra $5 for my towel hire. After drying off and getting changed you simply return your towel to the laundry basket on your way out. The sun was well set by the time we left, so we walked back to our car to return to the motel to change for dinner.
If you’re ever in need of a relaxing retreat, these pools are the perfect remedy. The pools offer both swimsuits and towels for hire, lockers to store your gear while you enjoy the pools and a cafe with plenty of tasty treats. The slides are heated, which help keep you warm even in winter weather.
Dinner at The Stag Restaurant
If anything is going to make you hungry, it will be spending a couple hours at the pool. After getting changed, make your way through the motel carpark to The Five Stags Restaurant for hearty, hunters lodge style fare.
Conveniently located behind the accommodation, the Five Stags is known for its hearty meals and friendly service. The menu featured a variety of classic New Zealand dishes, including lamb, steak, and seafood.
We ordered Korean Chicken Wings and Calamari bites for the table, before ordering mains. I opted for the steak with creamy mushrooms, which was cooked to perfection. We ordered 3 different desserts to share, with the table favourite being the chocolate fountain (chocolate lava cake with ice cream).
As we enjoyed our meal, we chatted about life, work, and everything in between. This kind of meaningful connection is one of the reasons why girls’ weekends are so special. Over delicious food and wine, we laughed, shared stories, and created memories that would last a lifetime.
Day 2: Ka kite (see ya) Hanmer, Kia ora (hello) Christchurch
After a restful night, we were ready to explore more of Hanmer Springs. This little village may be famous for its hot pools, but there’s so much more to discover. Head out to one of the many, easy walking tracks through the beautiful bush to get your steps up before breakfast. Located a short walk from Hanmer Spring, checkout the beautiful wooden sculptures on this 30minute walk through local bush.
You’ll be hungry after that, so pack up your things and start heading back to Christchurch. The first stop will be a little Highway town called Culverden for breakfast.
Breakfast at the Red Post Cafe, Culverden
Breakfast will be at a charming highway side cafe, called the Red Post Cafe in Culverden. This warm, rustic cafe offers up some of the South Island’s favourites like Cheese Rolls and Date scones. Along with eggs benedict, pancakes and the usual scrambled eggs on toast, you will find something to satisfy everyones cravings.
You can opt to sit inside or out, with a beautiful outdoor/indoor flow, if the weathers nice make sure you make use of the sun and enjoy the blossoming cherry trees.
I opted for a selection of cabinet food, I tried the date scone, cheese roll and of course an egg and bacon bagel. My friends ordered the pancakes and eggs benedict. The portion sizes were generous and the coffee was delicious.
Located next to a local arts and craft store, make sure you stop in to pick up some delicious homemade jam, hand knitted, woollen garments and even some of Canterbury’s best painters works.
I picked up a jar of raspberry and apple jam, a perfect memento from our trip and I do love me some homemade jam. Supporting local businesses is something I always try to do while traveling, and this little store was full of locally sourced and made treasures.
Cherry Blossoms in Hagley Park, Christchurch
Back in Christchurch, make sure you stretch your legs after that drive, in Hagley Park. Well known for its beautiful gardens and in the spring, a row of blossoming cherry trees, walking beneath the canopy of blossoms will feel like you’re stepping into a dream. If you’re a fan of sakura season in Japan, than Hagley park will be a great stop to remind you of those pink and white blooms.
We were also lucky to catch not only the cherry blossoms, but the daffodils as well. It was quite busy when we went, but people are generally respectful and give you plenty of room to walk under the canopy of pink and white. If you are wanting photos with the trees away from the crowds, head in towards the cherry blossoms in the centre of the park, just watch out for the golf balls (a local golf course that runs through Hagley Park).
Street Art and Christchurch Rebuild
Finish the weekend off exploring this rebuilt city of hope – Christchurch has undergone a remarkable transformation since the 2011 earthquake, and the city’s street art is a testament to its resilience and creativity. Large and colourful murals adorn many of the city’s buildings. Each piece tells a story, celebrating Christchurch’s vibrant arts culture.
We also took the opportunity to see some of the city’s rebuild projects, which have revitalised the urban landscape. It’s inspiring to see how Christchurch has rebuilt itself with such determination and artistic flair.
Some of the best street art can be found down by the Marketplace along the river in the centre in town. Checkout the lively atmosphere here and enjoy something delicious to eat before heading to the airport.
Conclusion: A Weekend to Remember
Our weekend in Hanmer Springs and Christchurch was the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and quality time with friends. From soaking in the hot pools and indulging in delicious food to exploring the charming streets of Christchurch, every moment was unforgettable.
If you’re looking for the ideal destination for a girls’ weekend, Hanmer Springs should be at the top of your list. With its stunning scenery, world-class hot pools, and cozy accommodations, it’s the ultimate spot to unwind and reconnect. And don’t forget to stop in Christchurch on your way back – the city’s rich culture and stunning landscapes make it the perfect bookend to a weekend getaway.
Whether you’re planning a weekend with friends or a solo escape, I hope this itinerary has inspired you to explore the beauty of New Zealand’s South Island. Checkout our other New Zealand Blog Posts here. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at nicola@prettyfarfromhome.com.