The Hurunui region lies between the mountain ranges to the West and the sea to the East, while it stretches from just North of the Conway River and almost to the Ashley River in the South with a land area of 8,660.43 square kilometres. Main centres of population are Amberley (local government administration centre), Hanmer Springs, Cheviot, and the larger villages of Waikari and Hawarden. While the economy of the region is predominantly farming, Hanmer Springs contributes greatly through tourist facilities centred around its thermal pools and forest.