Getting to the Blue Pools
The Blue Pools car park is on State Highway 6 (SH6), the Haast Pass road, about 10 km past Makarora toward Haast. From Queenstown you first reach Wānaka, then follow the lake north to Makarora. DOC describes the SH6 section between Wānaka and Haast as 140 km long.
The times below are published guides for normal conditions. They are not a promise, and roadworks add waiting time. Do not add them up to a fixed arrival time.
Travel times at a glance
Published guide values for 2026. Add time for roadworks and photo stops.
| Route | Mode | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Makarora to Blue Pools car park | Car | 10 minutes |
| Wānaka to Blue Pools car park | Car | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Haast to Blue Pools car park | Car | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Wānaka to Makarora | Car | About 1 hour |
| Queenstown to Makarora | Car | About 2 hours |
| Queenstown to Wānaka | Bus | About 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Wānaka to Franz Josef | Bus | About 6 hours 25 minutes |
| Queenstown to Franz Josef | Bus | About 8 hours |
The bus times are not driving times. Do not use them to plan a car trip.
Queenstown to Wānaka
The first leg for most trips.
By bus
InterCity sells a Queenstown to Wānaka bus that takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. The page lists a daily service operated by GreatSights. It leaves from Athol Street in Queenstown and arrives at the Log Cabin on the lakefront at 100 Ardmore Street in Wānaka. Check the current timetable and fares before you go.
By car
A car gives you the Blue Pools, the waterfalls and the Makarora stops on one day. Drive to Wānaka, continue north along Lake Wānaka and then on SH6 through Makarora.
Without a car
The car park is on a highway, not at a town stop. If you travel by bus to Wānaka, a guided trip from town covers the transport. See the tours guide for options.
Tours from Wānaka and Makarora
Guided walks, scenic flights and jet boat rides that include the transport, with live prices and availability.
Driving the Haast Pass road
What to expect on SH6.
Road and traffic
New Zealand drives on the left. The road is narrow and winding in places, and average speeds are lower than the distances suggest. Allow extra time and do not drive tired.
Fuel and food
DOC notes that Makarora has limited food and fuel. Fill the tank in Wānaka, and carry water and snacks. There is no drinking water at the Blue Pools car park.
Parking at the pools
The car and campervan park is free and has two mobility spaces and toilets. See the Blue Pools Track guide for the walk from there.
The 2026 road situation
In late August 2026, heavy rain closed SH6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea after slips. Convoys ran for some days in early September. On 9 October 2026 NZTA announced continuous travel again, and roadworks delays continue on parts of the highway. Check NZTA for the current state before every drive.
Wānaka to Franz Josef
A short note for the trip north.
By bus
InterCity lists about 6 hours 25 minutes from Wānaka to Franz Josef and about 8 hours from Queenstown. The main stop in Franz Josef is on Main Road. The general page does not give a timetable for the current roadworks period, so check the latest times.
What is there
The glaciers, lake walks and helicopter flights have their own guide: getting to Franz Josef. Do not turn the bus times above into driving times.
Before you fly to New Zealand
Entry rules depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, and they can change. These points apply to many visitors in 2026:
- NZeTA: an electronic travel authority is usually valid for 2 years. Each visit is normally up to 3 months, and up to 6 months for British citizens. Allow at least 72 hours for processing.
- Fees: NZ$17 through the app or NZ$23 through the website, plus the NZ$100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy where it applies. That makes NZ$117 or NZ$123 per person.
- Passport: it should usually be valid for at least 3 months after you leave.
- Declaration: everyone files a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. For flights you can submit it from 24 hours before departure.
Check the rules for your own passport before you book. Then continue with the weather guide and where to stay.
Getting there: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Wānaka to the Blue Pools?
DOC gives 1 hour 10 minutes from Wānaka to the car park. One guided-walk operator quotes about 45 minutes to its start point. Use the longer time when you plan, and add time for roadworks.
How far are the Blue Pools from Queenstown?
Queenstown to Makarora is about 2 hours by car according to a local operator, and the car park is about 10 minutes and 10 km past Makarora. Roadworks can add waiting time.
Can I get to the Blue Pools by bus?
A bus runs from Queenstown to Wānaka. The car park itself is on the highway, so most visitors drive or join a guided trip from Wānaka. Check the current timetable before you plan around a bus.
How long is the bus from Queenstown to Wānaka?
About 1 hour 45 minutes. The page lists a daily service that leaves from Athol Street in Queenstown and arrives at 100 Ardmore Street in Wānaka.
How long does it take to get from Wānaka to Franz Josef?
The bus takes about 6 hours 25 minutes. Bus times differ from car times, so check the Franz Josef guide for driving advice.
Is the road over the Haast Pass open?
SH6 reopened to continuous travel on 9 October 2026 after the August closure, with roadworks delays on parts of the route. Check NZTA for the current state before you go.