Christchurch to Kairkoura via Hanmer Springs

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We picked up our hire car then sped off north. Our first stop was Hamner Springs where after a short stretch on a dirt road we parked the car for a two hours wlak up a lovely mountain valley following a stream most of the way. The weather was warm and sunny. We rewarded ourselves with a soak at the Hamner Springs which is a complex of geothermal pools at varying temperatures. It was very relaxing and soothing after the fairly strenous walk. We hurried on to Kaikoura on the coast through lovely mountain valleys seeing very few other cars. Our choice of hostel was the 'Lazy Shag'. Kaikoura is a very appealing little town and the hostel room was very comfortable.

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