Hanmer Springs Forest Adventures

If you’ve come to Hanmer Springs for the hot pools but secretly crave a dose of adrenaline, Forest Adventures is your fix. Tucked into a towering pine forest just minutes from the village centre, this outdoor playground offers a web of ziplines, swing bridges, and treetop obstacles that let you fly through the canopy like a local kea. It’s the perfect counterbalance to soaking – a place to earn your soak with a heart-pumping climb.

Highlights & What to See

• Forest Flyer Zipline – New Zealand’s longest dual zipline, stretching 650 metres across a valley. You’ll reach speeds of up to 130 km/h, racing your mate side-by-side with nothing but forest below.
• Tree Top Walk – A series of suspension bridges and platforms that take you 15 metres high among the pines. It’s a gentle, family-friendly option with great views of the surrounding mountains.
• Adventure Course – A high-ropes course with over 40 challenges, including wobbly bridges, cargo nets, and flying foxes. Choose from three difficulty levels – the black run will test your balance and nerve.
• Night Zip & Glow – On select evenings, the forest transforms with UV lights and glow sticks. Ziplining under the stars with neon trails is an unforgettable twist.
• Forest Walks – If you prefer terra firma, several walking and mountain-biking trails weave through the forest, connecting to the broader Hanmer Springs track network.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 2–3 hours here, which is enough for a couple of zipline runs and a loop of the adventure course. If you’re with kids or want to try everything (including the night experience), budget a full afternoon. The site is open year-round, but book ahead in peak summer and school holidays.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa – The classic post-adventure reward, just a five-minute drive away. Soak those tired muscles in the hot mineral pools.
• Conical Hill Walk – A short, steep climb from the village centre offering panoramic views of the Hanmer Basin – great for a morning leg-stretcher.
• Waiau River – Popular for kayaking, jet-boating, and swimming in summer. The river flats are also a lovely picnic spot.
• Molesworth Station – New Zealand’s largest farm, accessible via a scenic gravel road from Hanmer. A day trip here reveals high-country wilderness and historic homesteads.
• Kaikōura – About 1.5 hours north, famous for whale watching, dolphin encounters, and the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. Easy to combine as a two-centre trip.

Please check official sources for current details.