Heat up with some good vibes this spring at Canterbury’s top hot pools. Rain, snow, beautiful sun or even starshine, a steamy soak is the perfect situation.

Right here in Christchurch you’ll find He Puna Taimoana hot salt water pools. Sitting right on the edge of the beach at New Brighton, this is the perfect place to gaze out to sea while keeping toasty warm.

Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa in Methven is the newest entry on the Canterbury hot pools scene. No kids are allowed, so you can enjoy the views of the Alps in peace and swim up to the bar for a cocktail.

There’s nothing quite like watching the spring snow drift around while you soak in hot water, and there are several places around the region you can do just that.

A little further up the hills and into Mackenzie District, hit up Tekapo Springs. This is a hot spring experience unlike anything else in the world: opt for the night-time stargazing experience to take advantage of the International Dark Sky Reserve’s ultra-clear skies from a floating hammock.

Over Lewis Pass ways, there are two famous options: Hanmer Springs and Maruia Hot Springs. The cute mountain village of Hanmer is always worth a visit, and the pool complex is massive, with naturally heated thermal pools, hot spas, kids’ play area, hydroslides and lazy river.

Maruia Hot Springs is technically six kilometres past the Canterbury border and into the West Coast, but we love it enough to include it in our guide – it’s a full-on wellness retreat complete with hotel rooms, glamping pods, massage, and daily sauna infusions.

And finally, something for the adventurous: head out into the mountains and find a wild spring to soak in. It’s best when you’ve earned it with a hard day’s hike! The exact locations of these springs are local secrets and we’re not about to give them away, but you might start by looking around the upper section of the Hurunui River, Hope River, and in the hills out back of Hanmer.