Hanmer Springs receives government funding for ‘Fly-Line’ tourist attraction

A ‘Fly-Line’ tourist attraction is one of the projects scheduled for Hanmer Springs following the announcement of a New Zealand Government investment of $3.1 million to support its domestic tourism market.

New Zealand Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today that “while COVID-19 has had an impact on international tourist numbers, we want to support Hanmer Springs to continue to be a top family friendly tourist draw card for domestic visitors from both the North and South islands.”

The projects announced today are:

• $2.123 million total investment to the Hurunui District Council to construct a family friendly ‘Fly-Line’ tourist attraction on the popular Conical Hill at Hanmer Springs ($2 million infrastructure funding and $123,000 Provincial Growth Fund)

• $977,000 in PGF funding to the Hurunui District Council towards creating a world-class day spa and developments at the Thermal Pools.

Under-Secretary Tabuteau added “the Fly-Line, is like a Flying-Fox without the risk, where riders will be able to glide through the forest, safely suspended in a comfortable seat under a supporting carriage that runs virtually silent on a stainless-steel track.

“The relatively short construction time for the project means the Fly-Line can be up and running by the start of spring 2021, and it is expected that the Fly-Line will create up to 25 new jobs with $4 million of economic benefit generated to the region over the first five years of operation.

“The PGF funded Thermal Pools and Spa expansion project involves investigating the construction of a luxury day spa on the site of the former Queen Mary Hospital and the provision of a new area of hot pools and a new hydro-slide.

“Over half a million people visit Hanmer Springs every year, so with the Fly-Line, and thermal pools and day spa, the anticipated increase in visitors to this already popular alpine village will make a huge difference to the local economy.”

Image courtesy of Hanmer Springs