Twelve stops around the Blue Pools and beyond Haast
This is a curated list, not an official ranking. It follows State Highway 6 from Lake Hāwea toward the West Coast. DOC describes the road between Wānaka and Haast as a 140 km stretch, and most stops are short walks from a car park beside it. The Blue Pools themselves have their own page: see the Blue Pools Track. They sit about 10 km past Makarora, between stops 2 and 3.
Walk lengths below come from DOC track pages and an older DOC brochure from 2023, so treat times as rough. Track conditions change after heavy rain. A storm closed the highway between Makarora and Lake Hāwea on 28 August 2026, and roadworks followed, so check the NZTA journey planner before you drive.
Stops 1 to 4: from Lake Hāwea to Cameron Creek
The lakes, the village and the first forest viewpoints.
1. Lake Hāwea and The Neck
The Neck is the narrow strip of land between Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka. Kidds Bush Nature Walk is a forest loop that starts at the Kidds Bush campsite, 6 km from The Neck along Meads Road. It lies in the Hāwea Conservation Park, not in the national park.
Lake Hāwea →2. Makarora Bush Walk
A forest loop through podocarps and beech with a display of old sawing gear. It starts at the DOC office building, which DOC places 60 km from Wānaka. There is no visitor centre in Makarora, and toilets are in the village.
Makarora →3. Cameron Flat
A DOC campsite beside the highway, booked online. It is a place to sleep and has no loop walk of the same name. Prices and rules are on the camping page.
Camping →4. Cameron Lookout
A forest climb of about 50 m to a platform above Cameron Creek. DOC puts the car park 70 km from Wānaka, with toilets at Cameron Flat, 2.5 km back. The Cameron Valley Track beyond the platform is much harder, at 5 hours one way.
Our picks: things to do
The Haast Pass stops in one day, a trip through to Franz Josef and a jet boat ride from Makarora.
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 →
Jet boat ride into the national park from Makarora
One hour on the river with commentary, covering 50 km.
Check availability →Tours for the Haast Pass stops
Guided days from Wānaka, jet boats and flights around Makarora, with live prices and availability.
Stops 5 to 8: over the pass
Higher ground, the first waterfall and the gorge.
5. Davis Flat and the Bridle Track
Davis Flat is a car park and a start of the historic Bridle Track, not a campsite. The track is 3.5 km and takes about 1½ hours one way, from Davis Flat or from the pass. DOC suggests two vehicles or going back the same way, and warns against walking back along the busy road. It also warns of washouts at the car park in heavy rain, so do not leave a car there overnight when rain is forecast.
6. Haast Pass Lookout
A gravel path of 1.5 km return, about 1 hour, with a climb of about 150 m to a view of the Southern Alps and Mount Brewster above the bush line. DOC puts the car park 80 km from Wānaka. It lists the pass at 563 m on its map, while other sources give 562 m. Drones need a permit.
Haast Pass →7. Fantail Falls
A walk of 200 m, about 5 minutes return, from the car park to the river bed, with a view of the fan-shaped fall across the Haast River. No river crossing is part of this walk. Dogs are not allowed, and drones need a permit. The nearest toilets are at Pleasant Flat, 10 km on.
Fantail Falls →8. Gates of Haast
A bridge over a rock gorge, and the start of the Wills Valley Track. Look at the gorge from the bridge, and do not mistake the track for a lookout walk: it begins over a large active slip and is for experienced walkers. DOC does not describe a safe footpath along the bridge, so keep clear of traffic.
Wills Valley →Stops 9 to 12: down to the coast
The Haast River widens, and the road drops toward Haast. The stops are listed in the same order.
9. Thunder Creek Falls
A 28 m fall seen from a viewing platform across the Haast River, at the end of a short sealed forest path. An older DOC brochure gives about 200 m and 5 minutes return. DOC places the car park 50 km south of Haast, with the nearest toilets at Pleasant Flat, 5 km north. Drones need a permit.
Thunder Creek Falls →10. Pleasant Flat
A DOC campsite with a picnic area and a short forest walk of about 200 m, 5 minutes return. Booking is online. DOC warns against camping under trees.
11. Roaring Billy Falls
A forest walk of 1 km, about 25 minutes return, to a view of the fall across the Haast River. DOC describes wheelchair and pushchair access to the platform at the top of the bank. The gravel river bed beyond is not part of that access. Dogs are not allowed.
Roaring Billy Falls →12. Ship Creek
A coastal stop 20 km north of Haast, beyond the pass proper. The Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk is 800 m, about 20 minutes return, and DOC calls it wheelchair suitable. The Dune Lake Walk is a 1 km loop of about 30 minutes, and only its first section is described as easy. There are toilets and a picnic area. Bring a rain jacket and insect repellent. From here the road runs north to the glaciers, which have their own guide at Franz Josef Glacier.
Walk lengths at a glance
DOC track pages and a 2023 brochure. Times are rough.
| Stop | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2. Makarora Bush Walk | 1 km loop | About 15 minutes |
| 4. Cameron Lookout | 1 km return | About 20 minutes |
| 5. Bridle Track | 3.5 km one way | About 1½ hours |
| 6. Haast Pass Lookout | 1.5 km return | About 1 hour |
| 7. Fantail Falls | 200 m return | About 5 minutes |
| 9. Thunder Creek Falls | About 200 m return | About 5 minutes |
| 11. Roaring Billy Falls | 1 km return | About 25 minutes |
| 12. Ship Creek swamp forest | 800 m return | About 20 minutes |
For a full day, start early and drive toward the coast, so each stop is on your way. The drive from Wānaka to the Blue Pools car park alone is about 1 hour 10 minutes. See getting there and weather before you set a plan.
Things to do near the Blue Pools: frequently asked questions
Which stops are the shortest?
Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls are each about 200 m and 5 minutes return. Roaring Billy Falls takes about 25 minutes return.
Can I do all twelve stops in one day?
Not comfortably from Wānaka and back. The stops cover a long stretch of road, and roadworks can add waiting time. Pick a few, or stay overnight in Makarora or Haast.
Are the walks suitable for children?
The short viewpoint walks at Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy Falls are brief. The Gates of Haast and the Wills Valley Track are not family walks.
Are drones allowed?
On the DOC pages for Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, Roaring Billy Falls, Cameron Lookout and the Haast Pass Lookout, flying a drone needs a permit.
Where are the toilets?
DOC lists toilets at the Blue Pools car park, in Makarora, at Cameron Flat, at Pleasant Flat and at Ship Creek. Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls have none of their own, so plan a stop beforehand.