Off into the countryside today with a wonderful drive along the coast and then through wonderful rolling hills to Hamner Springs.

Our first stop was Goose Bay, a few miles out of Kaikoura where we were able to spy a few more seals bathing on the rocks next to the water.

The coast line was so stunning, we couldn’t help stopping to take in the views along with the wonderful sunshine.

As we meandered to our destination we passed through some open countryside and place names that reminded us of home, notably Rotherham, where we stopped again to take a landscape photograph of the valley below.

We have a brief lunch stop in Waiau, a small town in north Canterbury. It sits just 30 km east of Hanmer Springs on the northern bank of the Waiau Uwha River. That wasn’t much to it, just a small supermarket – see below, a DIY store and a petrol station.

We then made our way to our Hamner Springs passing through even more stunning scenery shaped by blue skies and clear views.

Hanmer Springs is a resort town known for its Thermal Pools and Spa, with its mineral waters.

The surrounding mountains are home to trails and seasonal ski slopes. The nearby Conical Hill and Heritage Forest offered an array of trails winding to a lookout point. We decided to do a circular hike taking in Conical Hill and the forest trails around the town.

The Te Tihi o Rauhea/Conical Hill Loop Trail was around 10k long, taking us roughly 2hrs to walk. 

As we climbed up the views just got better and better and had a real Alpine feel to them.

Once at the viewing point on the Conical Gill summit we stopped for lunch and our homemade sandwiches and snacks – like walking hols of our youth!

With the hike completed it was then time for a refreshment break and what better way of doing it than a drink in the local hostelry.

And then it was time for a local delicacy, well a Swiss themed one.

With the sun shining strongly and our bones feeling a little achy we decided an afternoon of relaxation in the thermal pools was just what we needed.

Each of the 22 pools had its own unique offering, from tranquil adult-only pools to child friendly freshwater pools and play areas.

The incredible selection of geothermally heated pools range from a comfortable 32°C , right up to a rejuvenating 42°C.

We found a few pools to chill in, a lap pool and lazy river being our preferred options, rather than the epic water slides, one that included the largest aquatic thrill ride in NZ.

Hanmer Springs gets around 520,000 visitors each year. Theres bungy jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, mountain biking, but we found the hiking to be our favoured pursuit and offering the amazing views of the alpine surroundings.

After our time in the hot pools we enjoyed an alfresco dinner in the nearby park and met the founder/surveyor that gave the town its name, Mr Hamner a Welsh man who helped to set out the centre plan.

With the sunshine remaining strong into the early evening we sat out in the hotel gardens and enjoyed our time with a glass of vino for Michelle and an IPA for Andy. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it…

Tomorrow we say goodbye to the country air and head back to the coast and the city of Christchurch where we are staying for 3 nights. We have arranged to meet with Kiwi friends who we have met on prior tours of Malaysia and SE Asia, as well as a day at the cricket on the 28th to watch England v NZ. Can’t wait.