The Government Lands Department excavated the main bathing springs to create swimming pools; one was fenced for privacy and protection from the wind.

An area of two hectares was enclosed around the springs.  Segregated nude bathing was the order of the day in the early years and hoisting the appropriate clothing (skirt or trousers) up a pole to indicate the gender of the moment controlled this.  Later, of course, separate pools were introduced and, finally, mixed bathing – clothed of course! 

The first bathhouse was built. It consisted of four private baths 2.4 x 0.6 metres.

The Government built an accommodation house described as a sanatorium. There were eight first-class rooms; 50 second-class visitors were put in tents. A hotel called The Lodge was also opened close to the springs. It contained two suites and 17 other rooms, and was very grand.

A massage room opened in the bathhouse.

The sanatorium grew to accommodate 18 patients, but was destroyed on the day that World War One began.

After 1918, Hanmer Springs was confirmed as a tourist resort and a hospital, but the functions were separated as the hospital did not use the water anymore.

The entranceway was shifted to the visitor information centre. The men’s and women’s changing rooms extended, and the rock pools were constructed. Private Sauna and steam rooms were constructed and improvements made to the Private Thermal Pools.

The Waterslide and Children’s Activity area and plant room was built.

The Waterslide end changing room was installed and the existing changing rooms were done up. The café deck was extended and the service yard and engineering depot constructed.