Makarora in brief
Makarora is a small settlement on State Highway 6 (SH6) in the valley of the Makarora River in Otago. It is the last place with a few services before the Blue Pools car park, which lies about 10 km further on toward Haast. DOC lists limited food and fuel in Makarora, and there is no visitor centre here. DOC points visitors to Haast or Wānaka for that.
Most people pass through on the way to the pools, but the village has its own short forest walk, a jet boat on the Wilkin River, a scenic flight with a hike and the start of a hard backcountry route. This is an independent guide. It is not run by DOC, a tour operator or any business in Makarora.
Before you drive up
Three things that decide how smooth the day goes.
Fuel and food
Supplies in Makarora are limited. Fill the tank and buy food in Wānaka before you drive up, and check the cafe's opening hours if you plan to eat here.
Wānaka guide →The road
On August 28, 2026, slips after heavy rain closed SH6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea, and about 30 slip sites were reported either side of The Neck the next day. Convoys ran in early September, and NZTA announced round-the-clock travel from October 9, with roadworks and delays continuing. Check NZTA for the current state before you set out.
Haast Pass road →Sandflies
DOC says the Blue Pools season runs from November to April and that sandflies can be strong. Bring repellent and cover your arms and legs.
Blue Pools Track →Our picks: from Makarora
A scenic flight with a hike, and a jet boat ride on the river.
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.
Scenic flight, hike and jet boat from Makarora
A scenic flight with a window seat, an unguided hike with a route briefing and a 30-minute jet boat ride back to Makarora. There is no guide on the hike.
Check availability →
Jet boat ride into the national park from Makarora
One hour on the river with commentary, covering 50 km.
Check availability →Tours from Makarora and Wānaka
Scenic flights, jet boats and guided walks around Makarora and the Blue Pools, with live prices and availability.
Makarora Bush Walk
The Makarora Bush Walk is a loop through beech and podocarp forest, with an exhibit of historic sawing equipment. The car park is at the DOC office building, about 60 km north of Wānaka, and there are toilets in the village. An older DOC brochure from June 2023 lists 1 km and a loop of about 15 minutes.
It is a good short stop if you want a forest walk without the swing bridges, or if the weather turns and you want something short before the drive back.
Flights and jet boats from Makarora
Operator prices as listed in 2026. They change, and the products run on demand and in suitable weather.
| Experience | What it involves | Time | Price in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Siberia Experience | Flight, self-guided walk and jet boat | About 4 hours | NZ$549 to NZ$639, with glacier flight NZ$649 to NZ$739, per person including GST |
| Wilkin River jet boat | Jet boat on the Wilkin and Makarora rivers, 50 km | About 1 hour | Adults NZ$160 to NZ$170, seniors 65+ NZ$130, children NZ$110 |
| Wills Valley Track | Backcountry route from the Gates of Haast bridge | 5 to 6 hours one way to the hut (older brochure) | – |
Siberia Experience: a 25-minute flight, a walk of about 3 hours at your own pace and a 30-minute jet boat ride. The price list is valid until September 30, 2027 and shows two price groups per option, so confirm which one applies to you when you book. The version with the glacier flight is listed at 4.5 or 4.75 hours depending on the page. Check-in is at the Makarora Tourist Centre and Cafe, 5944 Haast Pass-Makarora Road. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, and expect a weather call at least 90 minutes before.
Wilkin River jet boat: an undated product page lists NZ$170 for adults, and a season price list valid until April 30, 2026 showed NZ$160. Children are NZ$110, and the age limit is given as 3 or 4 to 14. Younger children go free, and a family of two adults and two children was NZ$480 on the older list. The trip runs when enough people have booked.
Neither trip goes to the Blue Pools Track. The Siberia and Wilkin valleys are a different area. For the full comparison, see the tours page.
The Wilkin River joins the Makarora River near the village. Both rivers run through broad, forested valleys with mountains behind. If you only want to see the area from the ground, the Blue Pools car park and the Makarora Bush Walk are the easy options.
Wills Valley Track: not a family walk
For experienced trampers only.
The route starts at the bridge at the Gates of Haast. DOC describes an active, unstable slip at the start, a second slip and a steel ladder, and an unbridged river crossing later on. Wills Hut has 4 bunks. An older DOC brochure from May 2022 gives 7.5 km and 5 to 6 hours one way.
- Avalanche paths: usually from May to November.
- Flooded rivers: do not cross them. If you are unsure, turn back or wait.
- Gates of Haast: the bridge is a viewpoint for most visitors. The track beyond it is a different level of effort.
Camping nearby: Cameron Flat is a DOC campsite on SH6 about 15 minutes north of Makarora. In 2026 it costs NZ$15 per adult per night, NZ$7.50 for ages 5 to 17, and is free for ages 0 to 4. Book online first. See the camping page.
Nearby and next
What most visitors combine with Makarora.
Blue Pools Track
Distance, the two swing bridges and the rules at the pools.
Haast Pass
The road over the pass, its stops and what to expect.
Camping
Cameron Flat and Pleasant Flat, with 2026 prices and booking.
Lake Hāwea
The Neck, Kidds Bush and the hill walk above the lake.
If you continue over the pass to the West Coast, the Franz Josef Glacier guide covers the way north from there.
Makarora: frequently asked questions
How far is Makarora from the Blue Pools?
The car park is about 10 km past Makarora toward Haast, roughly 10 minutes by car.
Can I buy fuel and food in Makarora?
DOC lists limited food and fuel. Fill up and buy supplies in Wānaka first, and check opening hours for the cafe.
Is there a visitor centre in Makarora?
No. DOC refers visitors to Haast or Wānaka.
Does the Siberia Experience visit the Blue Pools?
No. It is a flight, a walk and a jet boat ride in the Siberia and Wilkin valleys, about 4 hours in total. The Blue Pools Track is a separate walk.
How much does the Wilkin River jet boat cost?
An undated product page lists NZ$170 for adults and a season list valid until April 30, 2026 showed NZ$160. Seniors 65 and over pay NZ$130 and children NZ$110. Confirm the current price when you book.
Can I walk the Wills Valley Track with children?
It is not a short family walk. DOC describes unstable slips, a steel ladder and a possible river crossing without a bridge, and it is meant for experienced trampers.