Although it’s thought that there were no permanent settlements in the area, Māori used the thermal springs in pre-European times when they were travelling across the South Island between Kaikoura, Oaro, Omihi, Kaiapoi and the West Coast.
The first European to see the springs was William Jones, who noticed steam rising from the ground near a walking track in 1859. The newly-discovered hot springs became very popular, with many visitors.
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A series of hot pools was dug by the Lands Department and the first bathhouse built in 1883; nude bathing was considered the healthiest option, and at first the sexes had to take turns using the one fenced pool. Later, segregated bathing was introduced, and then mixed (clothed) bathing.
Eventually the Hanmer Thermal Sanatorium was built, and visitors were encouraged to “take the cure” by bathing, inhaling hot steam and drinking water from the springs. The original sanatorium burnt down in 1914, and Queen Mary Hospital was built on the site for wounded soldiers and shell-shock cases. After World War I Hanmer Springs became a retreat for “nervous cases” owing to the quiet, restful nature of the town. The hospital, at the time an addiction centre, was closed in 2003, and a new luxury spa, owned by the local council, opened in 2007 in the grounds of the old hospital.
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