Blue Pools (Makarora)

A flat 3 km return track crosses the Makarora River on a swing bridge and ends on a second swing bridge over bright blue pools. In summer people swim here and the water is icy. The bridges were rebuilt in 2025 and have a limit on how many people can be on them at once.

Good to know

• Go early or late to avoid queues for the bridges
• The water is very cold and can rise fast after rain
• Great leg-stretch between Wānaka and Haast

Best time

Summer morning

Open

All year

Getting there

Car park off SH6 at Haast Pass, 3 km return walk

Vehicles

Campervans fine

Facilities

• Toilets

Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.