6 ways to spend winter in Hanmer Springs

1. Catch the winter festival Immerse yourself in the alpine village as Hanmer Springs transforms into a winter wonderland from now until 18 July. With an ice rink, adult stargazing and grazing experiences, family fairy light walks, night light tree top climbing, and a bouncy castle, don’t miss New Zealand’s biggest winter festival. […]

Hanmer’s alpine winter festival

Returning for its fifth year, July’s MainPower Alpine Winter Festival in Hanmer Springs is set to build on 2025’s success, which drew a whopping 30,000 visitors to the village. Want to light up your winter nights? Head to Hanmer Springs from 4 to 18 July, where a mischievous mountain gnome will bring a […]

A race of resilience at Hanmer Half marathon

On Saturday 2 May, Dave Wilmott lined up for the 2026 Four Square Hanmer Half Marathon, after being told he wouldn’t walk again. His story is what the iconic race stands for – resilience. When Christchurch runner Dave Willmott traced the trail that weaves through some of Hanmer’s most iconic landscapes, he was […]

Soak, stay and unwind: Clear Ridge

When the cold bites, there’s nothing better than sinking into hot water and letting stress melt away. After a lacklustre summer, winter offers the perfect excuse for a change of pace – crisp air, snow-dusted mountains, and the simple pleasure of warming up after a day outdoors. Just under two hours from Christchurch, […]

Culverden comfort: Red Post Café

It’s a perfect time of year to take a road trip up to Hanmer Springs and enjoy its activities before winter sets in. One of the true delights of a road trip is pulling up to a roadside café to sample its coffee and food fare. Such a gem is Red Post Café […]

Hanmer Springs

Whether you’re a runner or a rambler, Hanmer Springs has a wealth of options for getting out into nature this autumn. For some Cantabrians, autumn is the ‘Goldilocks’ season and nowhere does it better than Hanmer Springs. Neither too hot nor too cold, at this time of year its rich bronze and golden […]