The Blue Pools Track at a glance
The Blue Pools Track starts at a car park on State Highway 6, about 10 km past Makarora toward Haast. DOC lists it in Mount Aspiring National Park in Otago. The path is gravel with some rocky sections and crosses two swing bridges on the way to the pools, where the Blue River meets the Makarora River.
The pools are natural, and the shade of blue changes with the weather. After heavy rain the colour can differ from the photos you have seen. There is no entry fee and no booking for the walk. This site is independent and not run by DOC, so check DOC for the latest track status before you set out.
Rules on the track
These come from DOC's page for the Blue Pools Track.
No jumping off the bridges
DOC states: no jumping off swing bridges. This is a rule, not a suggestion. Do not jump, and do not film others doing it.
No soap or detergent
Do not use soap or washing products in the river or the pools. Take all your rubbish with you.
Leave the stones where they are
Stacks of stones damage river ecosystems. Take photos of the pools as they are rather than building cairns.
Sandflies
DOC warns of heavy sandflies in the main season. Bring repellent and wear long sleeves if you stop for a while.
Our picks: tours to the Blue Pools
Two trips from Wanaka that pass the pools, if you would rather not drive yourself.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
One-way small-group trip over the Haast Pass to Franz Josef
Lunch, water and snacks are included, and the route runs past Lake Hawea, the Blue Pools, Thunder Creek Falls and Haast. The way back and accommodation are not included.
Check availability →
Blue Pools, Wilson Creek and Fantail Falls from Wanaka
Pickup in Wanaka and stops at the Blue Pools, Wilson Creek Canyon, Fantail Falls, the swing bridges and Haast Lookout. Meals are not included.
Check availability →Tours that include the Blue Pools
Guided walks from Wānaka and other trips around Makarora, with live prices and availability.
What the walk is like
The walk is short, but it is not a paved path. Expect gravel and some rocky ground, so wear shoes with grip. The two swing bridges are the highlights, and the pools lie beyond them where the rivers meet.
The bridges were rebuilt recently. DOC announced that the new, longer Makarora swing bridge, the extensively renewed Blue Pools bridge and a 160 m raised boardwalk would open on 31 May 2025. A closure that had lasted since 2023 ended then, so older blog posts that say the track is shut are out of date.
The track is 3 km return and takes about 1 hour by DOC's current figure. An older DOC brochure says 1 to 1½ hours, which is a more comfortable estimate if you want to take photos.
Facilities at the car park
What DOC lists at the start of the track.
| Item | What is listed |
|---|---|
| Parking | Free car and campervan park, with 2 mobility spaces |
| Toilets | Toilets, including an accessible toilet |
| Drinking water | None, bring your own |
| Entry fee and booking | None listed |
| Surface | Gravel and rocky sections |
| Opening hours | – |
Makarora has limited food and fuel, according to DOC, so fill the tank and buy snacks in Makarora or Wānaka before you drive on.
When to go and what the weather does
DOC describes the track as fully usable from November to April. Makarora is a wet place. The long-term average for 1981 to 2010 is 2,447 mm of rain a year, against 594 mm at Wānaka Airport. These are old climate normals, not a forecast, and they show that the pools sit in a much wetter area than Wānaka.
Because the colour of the water depends on recent rain, there is no best hour. Check the weather page and a current forecast. If a storm has hit the area, see whether State Highway 6 is clear: a late-August 2026 storm closed the road between Makarora and Lake Hāwea, and roadworks continued into October. Check the NZTA journey planner for the current state.
Getting to the start
Published driving times in good conditions.
From Wānaka or Haast
DOC gives 1 hour 10 minutes from each. One guided tour operator gives 45 minutes from Wānaka to its start, so treat the times as a range and add time for roadworks.
Getting there →Combine it with a waterfall stop
Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and the Haast Pass Lookout lie farther along the highway and are easy to add to the same drive.
Twelve stops →Continuing to the glaciers on the coast? Franz Josef is beyond Haast, and the Franz Josef guide covers what to do there.
Blue Pools Track: frequently asked questions
How long is the Blue Pools Track?
The return walk is 3 km. DOC's current information says about 1 hour, and an older brochure says 1 to 1½ hours.
Are the swing bridges open?
DOC announced the reopening of the Makarora and Blue Pools bridges for 31 May 2025, after a closure that began in 2023. For the latest status on the day, check DOC before you go.
Can I jump from the bridge into the pools?
No. DOC says there is no jumping off swing bridges. Nothing on this site encourages it.
Does it cost anything?
DOC lists a free car and campervan park and no booking for the walk. Guided tours that include it have their own prices, which are on the tours page.
When are the sandflies worst?
DOC lists strong sandflies as possible in the main season from November to April. Repellent and covered arms and legs help.