Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Day 16 Hanmer Springs

My original itinerary had planned to drive from the glaciers to Kaikoura via the Lewis Pass with a stop at Hanmer Springs.
As it was dull early in Kaikoura, a day trip sounded like a good idea.

Hanmer Springs is to Christchurch as Daylesford is to Melbourne, only the hills are bigger and iced with snow.
There’s a very large heated pools and spa complex.
Very much a B&B weekend getaway type of town.

It’s a good drive and a stop at the Bridge on the River Waiau (pronounced like wire) provided the photos.

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“Thrillseeker Canyon” gives you the choice of bungy jumping from the bridge, white-water rafting or jet-boating on the river.
I took photos.

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In Hanmer Springs itself the 500 metre high Conical Hill asks to be climbed.

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So I climbed it  in 30 minutes, had an hour’s R&R at the top, and strolled down in 10 minutes.

The view was worth the effort, although the noon-time sun didn’t help the photos.

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After a 2 hour drive back to Kaikoura the day was finished off with a Roast Dinner – my first in months.

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