The main visitor attraction in Hanmer is the thermal pools and it’s well worth setting aside some time to make the most of them. With 15 steaming pools ranging in temperature, many with views up to the mountains, you could easily spend several hours here – whether it be during the day or early evening after other activities.

For something more active there are a number of walking trails around Conical Hill Heritage Forest, just outside the main town, ranging from short nature walks to a one-hour return trip to the lookout at the top – worth the effort for the magnificent views. The hill is home to over 200 species of sub-alpine flowering plants and ferns, some more than 100 years old, and should feature on any budding botanists to-do list.

It’s also an excellent place to go mountain biking, whatever your ability, and bikes can be hired locally so you can enjoy a selection of all-weather tracks from an easy beginner’s loop to a more challenging back-country circuit.

Finally, for golfers the 18-hole golf course is one of the highest in New Zealand and is open to all abilities, however, for those who take the sport a bit less seriously, there’s a fun crazy golf course which may be more suitable!