New South Island thermal spa approaches opening

The new $17 million Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa on New Zealand’s South Island is counting down to its opening, anticipating its launch before the end of the month.

Located in Methven, 35 kilometres north of Ashburton, the new sustainable wellness tourism project is drawing on the healing properties of hydrotherapy and communal bathing and aims to cater for a broad spectrum of travellers and local guests, from families to luxury consumers.

Focusing on delivering a premium-quality and sustainable hot pools and spa experience, the project will use glacial water from the Southern Alps and be powered by solar energy.

Using the slogan ‘sourced from the mountains, powered by the sun’, the two-hectare project in Methven has been designed to deliver a sustainable hot pool and spa experience set against a mountain backdrop.

The offering will consist of an exclusive Adults-only Area and a family-friendly Hot Pool Area featuring an Aqua Play Zone to encourage curiosity and adventure.

All areas will be linked by an interconnected network of pools that follow the form of a river, allowing for private nooks, open spaces and ample room to explore.

The adult’s area will feature water jet massages, bubble therapy, sauna therapies, a cold plunge pool and a luxury relaxation area.

The offering will be completed by four secluded cedar hot tubs with views across the foothills of the Southern Alps, a pool bar, a social Spa Hutt and exclusive private cabanas for premium treatment and hot pool packages.

In addition, the spa will be home to five treatment rooms, including two for couples, a four-person Rasul and a relaxation lounge to complete the treatment area. Visitors will be offered a range of treatments supplied by French spa and skincare brand Yon-Ka.

Owned and operated by Methven Adventures Limited, the project has taken two years to complete with a $17 million investment. It was originally scheduled to open in January this year but development was slowed by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Spa and wellness consultants Spa Vision and Spa Guru Consulting have supported the Ōpuke project from its early stages and helped execute a turn-key approach.

Part of this involved working alongside product-house Kurland which has designed and supplied a custom Rasul and Soft-Pack-System experience.

Methven's traditional tourism activity has been as a base for skiing at the nearby Mount Hutt skifield.

Images: The Southern Alps as seen from Methven (top, credit: Tourism NZ) and concept tor the interior of the Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa (below, credit: Spa Vision).