Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORTH CANTERBURY
Heading south from Kaikoura, SH1 crosses the Hundalee Hills and heads into Hurunui Dis-
trict, an area known for its wine and the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs. It's also the start
of the Canterbury Plains, a vast, flat, richly agricultural area partitioned by distinctive
braided rivers. The region is bounded to the west by the Southern Alps. If you're crossing
into Canterbury from either Westport or Nelson, the most direct route cuts through the Alps
on the beautiful Lewis Pass Rd (SH7).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Lewis Pass
The northernmost of the three main mountain passes connecting the West Coast to the east,
907m-high Lewis Pass is not as steep as the others (Arthur's and Haast) and the forest isn't
as dense either. Mainly it's comprised of beech (red and silver) and kowhai trees growing
along river terraces.
The area has some interesting tramps, passing through beech forest with a backdrop of
snowcapped mountains, lakes, and alpine tarns and rivers. Popular tracks include the
St
James Walkway
(66km; three to five days) and the paths through
Lake Sumner Forest Park
; see the
Department of Conservation (DOC) pamphlet
Lake Sumner & Lewis Pass
($2). Subalpine
conditions apply, so make sure you sign the intentions books at the huts.
Maruia Springs
( 03-523 8840;
www.maruiasprings.co.nz
;
SH7; d $179-199; pools 8am-7.30pm; )
is a small, Japanese-style hot-spring resort on the banks of the Maruia River, 7km west of
Lewis Pass, with elegant minimalist accommodation, a cafe-bar and a Japanese restaurant
(breakfast and dinner only). In the thermal pools (adult/child $20/9, free for guests), water
with black mineral flakes of 'hot spring flowers' is pumped into a gender-segregated tradi-
tional Japanese bathhouse and outdoor rock pools. It's a magical setting during a winter
snowfall, but mind the sandflies in summer. Massages (30/60 minutes $48/90) and private
spa houses (45 minutes $26) are available.
From Lewis Pass the highway wiggles east for 62km before reaching the turn-off to
Hanmer Springs.
