Blue Pools Walk

On the edge of the Haast Pass, the Blue Pools Walk is a short, easy stroll that delivers an astonishing payoff: water so clear and turquoise it looks like liquid gemstones. The track winds through lush beech forest and over swingbridges above the Makarora River, ending at a viewing platform overlooking deep pools fed by glacier melt. On a sunny day, the colours are almost surreal, and if you're lucky, you might spot trout gliding beneath the surface.

Highlights & What to See

• The Blue Pools themselves – peer into the impossibly clear, blue-green water, with visibility up to 10 metres on calm days.
• Swingbridges over the Makarora and Blue Rivers – a gentle thrill with great views of the surrounding mountains and native bush.
• Beech forest walk – keep an eye out for native birds like fantails, bellbirds, and the occasional kererū (wood pigeon).
• Photography opportunities – early morning or late afternoon light casts the pools in shades of teal and sapphire.
• Nearby short detour – the Fantail Falls track, just a few minutes north, for another quick waterfall stop.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow 30–45 minutes for the 1.5 km return walk, including time to soak in the views. It’s an ideal leg-stretcher on the drive between Wanaka and the West Coast – combine it with a picnic lunch at the Makarora River mouth or a brief stop at Haast Pass lookout. If you’re after a longer day, pair it with the 1-hour walk to Fantail Falls or the 3-hour Rob Roy Glacier Track from Raspberry Creek.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Haast Pass – the scenic mountain pass itself, with several short walks and viewpoints along the highway.
• Wanaka – a 1.5-hour drive east, offering Lake Wanaka, hiking trails, and the famous Wanaka Tree.
• Haast township – 30 minutes west, with the Haast Visitor Centre, salmon farm, and jet boat tours.
• Jackson Bay – a scenic 40-minute drive south from Haast, with a remote beach, fishing village, and the Jackson Bay Wharf.
• Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers – about 2 hours north, for glacier walks, heli-hikes, and hot pools.

Please check official sources for current details.