Fantail Falls at a glance
Fantail Falls spread out in a fan shape as the water runs over rocks on the far side of the Haast River. The Department of Conservation (DOC) describes a short, easy forest track from the car park to the riverbed, where you get the view across the water. You do not need to cross the river to see the falls.
The car park is on State Highway 6, 85 km from Wānaka by DOC's figures. It is a stop of a few minutes, so it fits easily into a day on the pass. This site is an independent guide, not run by DOC, so check DOC and NZTA for the current state of the track and the road.
Plan the stop
Everything you need for a five-minute walk.
Getting there
Drive State Highway 6 from Wānaka through Makarora and over the pass. The car park is on the highway, 85 km from Wānaka. The published drive from Wānaka to the Blue Pools car park is 1 hour 10 minutes, and Fantail Falls lies further along the road, so allow a little more. Roadworks and slips can add time, so see the Haast Pass guide for the 2026 situation.
Toilets
DOC lists Pleasant Flat, about 10 km away, as the nearest toilets. The Blue Pools car park and Cameron Flat also have toilets, so use those if you pass them earlier in the day.
Rules
Dogs are not allowed on this walk. Flying a drone without a permit is prohibited. DOC says the same for Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy Falls.
What to bring
Sturdy shoes are enough, and a rain jacket is wise, because the pass is one of the wetter parts of the Southern Alps. If you plan to walk the Blue Pools Track later in the day, wear the same shoes.
Blue Pools Track →Tours that stop at Fantail Falls
Day trips from Wānaka that combine the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls and the Haast Pass, plus flights and jet boat rides from Makarora, with live prices and availability.
Stay safe near the Haast River
The Haast River is a large mountain river. The viewing spot on the riverbed is on your side of the water, and the falls are on the other. Nothing on the DOC description asks you to cross, and no safe place to wade is documented. Do not try to reach the base of the falls.
- Keep to the riverbed near the end of the track and stay back from the water's edge.
- Never cross a river that is high or fast. If you are unsure, turn around.
- Heavy rain changes the river quickly. Rainfall at the pass is roughly 4,500 mm a year according to DOC.
- Do not stack stones into cairns. At the Blue Pools, DOC asks visitors not to build stone piles because they harm the ecosystem. The same courtesy applies here.
- Take your rubbish with you.
Fantail Falls and the other waterfall stops
The three falls on the highway are all short roadside walks. Distances are DOC's figures.
| Waterfall | Walk | Where | Nearest toilets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantail Falls | 200 m, 5 min return | 85 km from Wānaka | Pleasant Flat, 10 km |
| Thunder Creek Falls | 200 m, 5 min return (2023 brochure) | 50 km from Haast | Pleasant Flat, 5 km |
| Roaring Billy Falls | 1 km, 25 min return | 30 km from Haast | Pleasant Flat, 20 km, or Haast Junction, 30 km |
At Fantail Falls and Roaring Billy Falls you look across the Haast River. At Thunder Creek Falls you stand on a platform opposite the fall.
Make a day of the pass
Fantail Falls works best as one stop in a longer drive. A common order from Wānaka is the Blue Pools first, then the Haast Pass Lookout, then Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls. Each of the last two takes about five minutes on foot, and Thunder Creek Falls drops 28 m. If you keep going to the coast, Roaring Billy Falls and the Ship Creek walks are the next stops.
Buy fuel and food in Wānaka before you leave, because Makarora has limited supplies. The Haast Pass guide lists every stop with distances and walk times. If you want to stay overnight along the way, read about camping on the pass.
Fantail Falls: frequently asked questions
How long is the walk to Fantail Falls?
DOC gives 200 m and about 5 minutes return. The track is a short forest path from the car park to the riverbed.
Do I have to cross the river?
No. DOC describes the view of the falls across the Haast River from the end of the walk. No crossing is part of it, and no safe wading spot is documented.
Can I bring my dog?
No. DOC lists the walk as dog-free.
Are there toilets at Fantail Falls?
DOC lists Pleasant Flat, about 10 km away, as the nearest toilets.
Can I fly a drone here?
Not without a permit. Flying a drone without permission is prohibited at Fantail Falls.
Is Fantail Falls worth a stop if I only have a day?
Yes, because it takes about five minutes on foot. If time is short, put the Blue Pools first and use Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls as quick extras on the way.