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Home >> Hot Pools >> Sylvia Flats Hot Springs
 Sylvia Flats Hot Springs
Canterbury Region
State Highway 7, 15km south of Lewis Pass
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Description Sadly we don't have a decent description for this hotpool.
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Approx 20kms south past the Mururia Springs thermal resort. Access is via the picnic area on the right hand side of the road at the up stream end of the car park, only a couple minutes walk via a stony track, right on the river edge (its obvious, and if you can smell it, your nearly there!). 2 small pools when we saw them. Only just enough for two people, and one smaller pool, about 50cm deep. Free, natural, and heaps of sandflies, but fun and warm!! [John Pollard, New Zealand]
Coming from the West Coast:
1.1 kms from 'Dans Creek' bridge
2.7 kms south of the NZDA hut and 'nina valley track' entrance
Coming from Christchurch:
2.7 kms north of Magdalen Valley road/ Boyle River turn off
Turn into the rest stop, track is beside the river down a short track. The smell tells all when you're getting near! Definitely well worth going. [Hunter Family, Invercargill]
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18 Bather Reviews Write Your Review Now
- Great experience, been twice recentl. First time river was high and so best pools washed out. Second time - much better. Pools generally well scooped out on arrival and if it's not winter (no sandflies) get some repellent on your face and immerse yourself horizontal up to your neck
Julian - Timaru
Rating: 8/10 7th February 2010
- was great after a long day trip to Nelson, to be shown this natural beauty during the day, ppl are right about sandflies they are painful, but i was fortunate to go back about one in the morning for a stop off. it was fantastic especially on a clear night its so peaceful and a great place to relax with a loved one or with friends. Ill be back
anna - Timaru
Rating: 10/10 20th January 2009
- i give it 10 out of 10 for the location, and only at nite as its safe without any sandflies and its heavenly!
naveen - australia
Rating: 10/10 1st January 2009
- these pools are incredible - we love this place and drop in whenever we are near. Don't be fooled by negative reviews... if the pools are "murky" it just means they've cooled down enough to allow algae to grow - go dig a new one. If it's just a "puddle" you need to dig... don't be so soft!
1] take something to dig with.
2] take a lot of water
3] go at night when the sandflies are sleeping (don't pollute the water with your insect repellent!)
4] don't get upset if you see people there without clothes - it's the done thing.
5] take something warm to wear in winter when you're getting in and out.
it's a great place to sit back and explore new ideas with people...
glen - christchurch
Rating: 10/10 20th November 2008
- i wonder if you just found the 1st hole then turned around and went back? myself and some family members stayed there a sat night about a week after the big storm and snow july/august and the pools were bigger than ever thanks to some ppl doing a lot of digging. took my wet beanie off inside the camper and in the morn it was frozen solid and another guy had serious frost on his dash haha. Interesting in the morning to see more steam rising from 3 or 4 spots on the other side of river and evidence of some rocks been moved, have to wait til the summer trip for further exploration was just to bloody cold
dave
26th October 2008
- a horrible, sandfly-infested murky, luke-warm puddle. lovely surroundings, but hardly worth the effort. don't mean to sound negative, but i'd like to be honest to save others the disappointment and trouble. It was fun hunting it out and discovering a real thermal spring in nature, but honestly, if you want thermal pools, just go to maruia thermal resort up the road. OK, it cost $15, but they have 3 huge natural-looking outdoor pools (with rocks and shrubs and stuff) with views across the river and up the mountains and tranquil native bush surroundings. Also various indoor pools and bathhouse.
But would not recommend Hamner Springs at all, as it is a municipal facility in the town center, much like soviet-style public pools and is way too commercial and full of wrinkly old folk from the nearby nursing facility.
Brendon
Rating: 2/10 23rd October 2008
- dave - blenheim
Rating: 10/10 11th July 2008
- June visit is the answer - no biting insects and water warm enough to soak for and extended period. Cold getting in/out though!
Steve
Rating: 8/10 15th June 2008
- This place was introduced to me as "Sandfly Flats" for good reason.
I have been to that pool many times, liberally covered with repellent to minimise the biting. It makes for a welcome stop on the road to/from Nelson.
Rob - Auckland, NZ
Rating: 8/10 28th April 2008
- Located in riverbed on the trueleft of the river. The pools are quite shallow and require redigging after flooding of the river.
Pete Hurst - ChCh
18th April 2008
- Quirky and unexpected. Easy access, and a good point to stop on the road between east and west.
Coming from Christchurch, you pass a sign that says Welcome to the Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve. Just a few seconds after that you see a blue picnic area sign. Turn down a gravel road which has some big pot holes. A picnic area by the river has a toilet at the downstream end. At the upstream end of the picnic area, a track follows beside the river for about 2 to 3 minutes walk to the hot springs which are identified by their mild sulphurous smell. Not hot, just warm normally. Usually one pool big enough for 2-3 people. Sometimes more than one pool. Sandflies are a big problem. DEET insect repellent necessary for the face and any body parts not underwater!
James - Christchurch NZ
Rating: 7/10 31st October 2007
- The best way to enjoy this pool is to drape yourself in a mosquito net before getting in, otherwise you will be driven mad by the sandflies.
Rod - Nelson
Rating: 5/10 1st October 2007
- Maruia was closed so tried to find the mythical Sylvia Flats and we were richly rewarded, beautiful natural spot, snow capped peaks, wish the sandflies hadn't eaten my face though!
Sally - Nelson
Rating: 9/10 31st August 2007
- Watch out for the sand flys
Mike
15th March 2007
- S42.49034 E172.38672
Well worth it!
Graeme - NZ
Rating: 5/10 10th February 2007
- Lovely, isolated small pools, surrounded by beautiful New Zealand bush and mountains, with a stream running right beside it. Very well worth it! Would definitely recommend these!
Hunter Family - Invercargill
Rating: 8/10 19th January 2007
- man o man what a night was had in the hot pool, about 6 hours for 5 people, awesome setting, thought it was getting cold about midnight, awoke to fresh snow on the tops
Dave - Blenheim/ NZ
Rating: 9/10 23rd January 2006
- Usually a choice of 3 or more pools which are largely maintained by members of the Deerstalkers Assn. Lots and lots of sandfly's - repellant a necessity.
Pools recommended just for the hell of it - great in Winter with snow.
Diane - Nelson, New Zealand
Rating: 8/10 6th September 2005
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Photos
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Taken Jan 2010 by Julian (Timaru, NZ) featuring Paul (Hampton, Arden, UK)
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Dontated by the Hunter Family, Invercargill
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Dontated by the Hunter Family, Invercargill
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Donated by Bernard Smith, Dunedin
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