A weekend in Hurunui
Escape the city’s hustle and bustle for a weekend getaway – it doesn’t take long. Just over an hour’s drive north of Christchurch, and you find yourself in Hurunui, a little district with a whole lot to offer.
Natural features have drawn people to Hurunui for some time. In Hanmer Springs Village, geothermal activity gave rise to one of the region’s most beloved attractions – the multi-award-winning Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. With 22 pools and a luxurious day spa, you’re guaranteed to spend a few hours here. If you happen to stay until evening, you’ll notice that after dark, the views of the night sky are seemingly endless. Local guides Manuka Skies take astrophiles to some of the region’s best spots to look out to the cosmos.
Hurunui is also smack bang in the middle of North Canterbury – wine country. Naturally, this means some of the best wines in the world are at your fingertips. Local makers say the secret is in the soil and North Canterbury’s unique microclimate, which is three to four degrees warmer than the city, so it’s perfect for wine production. These producers also have exciting foodie options available. The long lunch at Greystone Wines is a must. Talented chefs curate a four-course menu that is updated every two weeks. For a truly authentic foodie experience, don’t miss Black Estate’s cellar door, where you can sample exquisite food and wine.
If you’re staying in Hanmer Springs Village, the Saints Café Restaurant & Bar is worth a stop for a meal. Here, in a fitting connection to Hurunui’s geothermal activity, if you order off the Stonegrill menu, meals are cooked right at your table on super-heated volcanic stone – talk about dinner theatre!
The district also plays host to a range of events throughout the year, with a few to mark in the calendars for this month.
On Sunday, March 3, is the North Canterbury Wine and Food Festival, a celebration of local produce and award-winning wines. Held in the Glenmark Domain in Waipara, the wider region’s best winemakers, chefs, bakers, makers, and food trucks converge to offer up some of the best fare. On top of sampling wine and food, it’s a stacked day of entertainment with bands and DJs across three stages and plenty of family-friendly activities, including face painting and a petting zoo.
For an Alpine experience like no other, don’t miss the Bandquet on Saturday, 23rd March – dubbed the ‘Best Little Alpine Party in NZ’. With performances by renowned acts like AutoMatic 80s and 1 Drop Nation, coupled with a vibrant Kidtopian Zone featuring bouncy castles and face painting, there’s something for the whole whānau.
Families will find plenty of activities to enjoy together in the district. At Hanmer Springs Animal Park, little ones can interact with farmyard animals and hand-feed guinea pigs and giant Flemish rabbits. Hamner Forest, within Brooke Dawson Reserve, has fairy doors that are just waiting to be explored. For kids with a bit more energy to burn, the gentle hike to the top of Conical Hill offers superb views over the Hanmer basin, with the option for a return route to Hanmer Springs village. For more adventure, visit Dog Stream waterfall track, with stream crossings and bridges or the Forest Amble Sculpture Walk in Hanmer Heritage Forest, where kids can spot a big friendly giant, orangutan, tuatara, falcon, and dog along the way.
You don’t have to jet off to get away from it all. Pack the car and head to Hurunui for the weekend.
