Blue Pools Walk

The Blue Pools Walk is a short, family-friendly stroll through ancient beech forest on the West Coast, leading to a stunning turquoise pool where the Makarora and Blue Rivers converge. The vivid blue-green water is so clear you can spot trout gliding over the riverbed, and on a sunny day, the colour is almost surreal. This is one of the most accessible natural wonders along the Haast Pass Highway, making it a must-stop for anyone driving between Wanaka and the West Coast glaciers.

Highlights & What to See

• Vivid Blue Pools: The star attraction – crystal-clear, glacier-fed pools with an impossibly bright turquoise hue. Cross the swing bridge for the best views.
• Beech Forest Walk: A 20-minute gentle trail through towering silver beech and red beech, alive with birdlife including tomtits and fantails.
• Swing Bridges: Two suspension bridges cross the Makarora River and Blue River, offering heart-thumping views of the churning water below.
• Trout Spotting: Peer into the pools from the viewing platform to see large brown and rainbow trout cruising in the clear water.
• Haast Pass Scenery: The drive to the walk itself is spectacular, passing waterfalls, river gorges, and dense rainforest typical of the West Coast.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for the return walk and time to soak in the views from the swing bridges and poolside platform. It's a perfect quick stop – aim to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy the best light for photography. Most visitors combine it with a half-day drive from Wanaka or as a break en route to Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Franz Josef Glacier – 90 minutes north, a world-famous glacier you can walk near or take a heli-hike onto the ice.
• Fox Glacier – Slightly further south than Franz Josef, with equally impressive ice formations and a dramatic terminal face.
• Punakaiki – Famous for the Pancake Rocks and blowholes, about 2.5 hours north along the stunning coastal highway.
• Hokitika – A charming gold-rush town known for its pounamu (greenstone) carving, wild beaches, and sunset views.

Please check official sources for current details.