Mackenzie Pass

Mackenzie Pass is a dramatic alpine saddle on the road between Haast and Wanaka, offering jaw-dropping views of the Southern Alps and the braided rivers of the Makarora Valley. This is a classic stop on the Haast Pass Highway, where the dense rainforest gives way to tussock-covered slopes and a glimpse of the high country beyond. The pass itself is modest in elevation – just 522 metres – but the scenery is anything but, with steep cliffs, waterfalls, and a sense of being on the edge of two worlds: the wild West Coast and the dry interior of Otago.

Highlights & What to See

• Fantail Falls & Thunder Creek Falls – Two short walks off the highway that lead to powerful waterfalls cascading over schist rock, perfect for a leg-stretch and photo stop.
• Blue Pools Track – A gentle 30-minute walk to a swingbridge over the Makarora River, where the water is an electric turquoise on a sunny day.
• The Pass Lookout – Just before the summit, a small pull-off offers panoramic views up the Makarora Valley towards Mount Aspiring National Park.
• Pleasant Flat – A riverside picnic area with mountain views, ideal for a lunch break among the beech forest.
• Makarora – The tiny settlement at the foot of the pass, with a pub, general store, and a sense of frontier isolation.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan for 1–2 hours to take in the key short walks and viewpoints, though you could easily stretch it to half a day if you linger over a picnic or explore a longer tramp. Most travellers treat Mackenzie Pass as a scenic drive with stops, so factor it into a half-day journey between Haast and Wanaka. The road is winding but well-sealed; allow at least 45 minutes to drive the 50 km from Haast to the pass summit, and another 30 minutes down to Makarora.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Haast – The gateway to the pass, with the Haast Visitor Centre, river jet-boating, and the wild beaches of the West Coast.
• Wanaka – A vibrant lakeside town 90 minutes beyond the pass, offering hiking, biking, and the famous Wanaka Tree.
• Mount Aspiring National Park – Accessible via the Makarora Valley, with world-class tramping tracks like the Rees-Dart and the Rob Roy Glacier walk.
• Jackson Bay – A remote coastal settlement south of Haast, known for its fishing community and the southernmost wharf on the West Coast.

Please check official sources for current details.