Roaring Billy Falls and Ship Creek at a glance
Roaring Billy Falls and Ship Creek are the westernmost stops in this guide. Roaring Billy Falls is a waterfall seen across the Haast River from a platform at the end of a forest walk. Ship Creek Tauparikākā is a coastal stop with two short walks through swamp forest and past a dune lake. It lies outside the pass proper, so it is an extension if you are already driving to Haast.
This site is an independent guide, not run by the Department of Conservation (DOC). DOC publishes the walk details below, so check its notices and NZTA for the current state of the tracks and the road.
Plan the two stops
What to expect at each place.
Roaring Billy Falls
A forest walk of 1 km, about 25 minutes return, ends at a view of the waterfall on the far side of the Haast River. The car park is 30 km from Haast. Drones are prohibited without a permit, and dogs are not allowed on the walk.
Ship Creek Tauparikākā
Ship Creek is 20 km north of Haast and signposted from State Highway 6. It has a shared car park, toilets and picnic tables. DOC recommends a rain jacket and insect repellent.
Toilets at Roaring Billy
DOC names Pleasant Flat, 20 km away, or Haast Junction, 30 km away, as the nearest toilets. Use the toilets at Ship Creek if you drive on to the coast.
The road
Slips closed parts of State Highway 6 in late August 2026, and roadworks continued into October. Check NZTA before you leave. See the Haast Pass guide for the dated closures.
Tours on the Haast Pass and West Coast road
Day trips from Wānaka that cover the Blue Pools and the pass, plus flights and jet boat rides from Makarora, with live prices and availability.
The Roaring Billy Falls walk
The track runs through forest to a platform at the top of the riverbank. DOC says wheelchairs and pushchairs can reach this platform. Beyond it a gravel riverbed continues, but that part is outside the signed accessible walk, so stay on the track if you rely on level ground.
The falls tumble through the trees on the far side of the Haast River, and the river itself runs wide over gravel. As on the other waterfall stops along the highway, you view the fall across the water. Keep your distance from the river's edge after rain.
Ship Creek walks
Two short tracks at a coastal car park, 20 km north of Haast.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk | 800 m return | 20 min | Described by DOC as wheelchair suitable |
| Dune Lake Walk | 1 km loop | 30 min | Only the first dune section is described as easy and wheelchair suitable, then a short walking track |
Ship Creek is a coastal stop, so treat it as an add-on to the pass rather than a pass stop. DOC describes only the first dune section as easy and wheelchair suitable, not the whole loop. Bring insect repellent and a rain jacket.
If you plan to continue north, the Franz Josef Glacier guide picks up from there.
Which stop for which trip
Distances are DOC's figures.
| Stop | Walk | Where | Toilets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaring Billy Falls | 1 km, 25 min return | 30 km from Haast | Pleasant Flat or Haast Junction |
| Ship Creek swamp forest | 800 m, 20 min return | 20 km from Haast, coast | At the car park |
| Ship Creek dune lake | 1 km loop, 30 min | 20 km from Haast, coast | At the car park |
| Thunder Creek Falls | 200 m, 5 min (2023 brochure) | 50 km from Haast | Pleasant Flat |
| Fantail Falls | 200 m, 5 min | 85 km from Wānaka | Pleasant Flat |
From Wānaka this end of the highway is a long way. Driving to Ship Creek and back in a single day adds many hours behind the wheel, so people often stay a night near Haast. See where to stay for the areas to consider, and the getting there page for routes and bus times.
Haast River stops
The Haast River shapes this whole side of the pass. Gravel banks and turquoise water appear at several stops, and the river is wide and strong. Look from the viewpoints, keep out of the water at the edge and never cross a river that is high.
Roaring Billy Falls and Ship Creek: frequently asked questions
How long is the Roaring Billy Falls walk?
DOC gives 1 km and 25 minutes return. It is a forest walk to a platform with a view across the Haast River.
Can wheelchairs and pushchairs reach Roaring Billy Falls?
DOC says yes to the platform at the top of the riverbank. The gravel riverbed beyond it is outside the accessible part of the walk.
Where is Ship Creek?
It is 20 km north of Haast, signposted from State Highway 6, on the coast. It is an extension to the pass stops, not part of the pass itself.
What walks are at Ship Creek?
The Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk is 800 m and about 20 minutes return. The Dune Lake Walk is a 1 km loop of about 30 minutes. Only the first dune section is described as easy.
Are there toilets?
At Ship Creek, yes. For Roaring Billy Falls, DOC names Pleasant Flat, 20 km away, or Haast Junction, 30 km away.