Where to stay for the Blue Pools
The Blue Pools are a short walk from a roadside car park on State Highway 6 (SH6). There is no town at the car park. You stay in Wānaka, in Makarora or in Haast, or you camp at a DOC site along the road. Each choice changes how much you drive on the day.
Prices and availability change with the season, so check rates for your dates on the booking site.
Wānaka, Makarora and Haast compared
Drive times to the Blue Pools car park, as published by DOC.
| Base | Drive to the car park | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wānaka | 1 hour 10 minutes | Town services and the most places to stay | Longest drive on the day, so start early |
| Makarora | 10 minutes | Short drive to the pools and the Makarora Bush Walk | Limited food and fuel in the village |
| Haast | 1 hour 10 minutes | Coming from the West Coast, with the waterfalls on the way | Far from Wānaka, beyond the pass |
| Cameron Flat (DOC campsite) | – | Camping on SH6 north of Makarora | About 15 minutes north of Makarora; online booking |
Wānaka accommodation
The town on the lake is the regional base.
Why choose Wānaka
Wānaka is the largest town on this route. It is also the starting point for the Roys Peak and Isthmus Peak tracks and for trips into Mount Aspiring National Park. See the Wānaka guide for what to do in town.
What it costs you
The drive to the car park is 1 hour 10 minutes each way, and roadworks can add waiting time. A guided day trip from Wānaka removes the driving. See the tours guide.
On the way
Lake Hāwea lies between Wānaka and Makarora and is a natural stop. See the Lake Hāwea guide.
Day trips from Wānaka to the Blue Pools
Guided walks, scenic flights and jet boat rides from Wānaka and Makarora, with live prices and availability.
Makarora, Haast and the DOC campsites
Beds closer to the pools or on the far side of the pass.
Makarora
Makarora is the closest village. DOC notes limited food and fuel there, so bring supplies from Wānaka. Do not assume a place with Makarora in its name sits at the car park. Ask for the distance before you book. The Makarora guide covers walks and services.
Haast
The Haast Beach Motel offers studios and larger units, each with a private bathroom and kitchenette. The address is 425 Haast-Jackson Bay Road. Check the current rate with the operator. Haast is the other end of the Haast Pass road, and Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy Falls lie between it and the pools.
DOC campsites
Cameron Flat and Pleasant Flat are booked online and cost NZ$15 per adult and night in 2026. Details are in the camping guide.
Siberia Hut: a backcountry night
Siberia Hut is not a hotel near the car park. It lies deep in Mount Aspiring National Park and is a separate backcountry plan. The hut has 20 bunks. From 22 October to 30 April it needs a booking. Between 1 May and 21 October no booking is needed, but the fees are still due.
For the 2026/27 season, hut fees run from NZ$32 to NZ$38 per adult per night from October to April, depending on the weekday and the date. Phone or in-person bookings carry a NZ$10 service fee. Check the booking page for the exact rate for your night.
Practical tips for choosing
- Check the distance: ask how far a place is from the Blue Pools car park, not just from the village named in its address.
- Plan the road: SH6 had a closure and convoys in late August and September 2026. NZTA announced continuous travel again on 9 October 2026, with roadworks delays on parts of the route. Check NZTA before you drive.
- Pick the right end: arriving from the West Coast makes Haast or the campsites more useful than Wānaka.
- Going on to the glaciers: the sister guide lists stays on that side: where to stay in Franz Josef.
Read the getting there guide for the full drive times.
Where to stay: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay for the Blue Pools?
That depends on your route. Makarora is closest at 10 minutes by car. Wānaka offers the widest choice and is 1 hour 10 minutes away. Haast suits trips from the West Coast.
Is there accommodation at the Blue Pools car park?
No. The car park is a roadside stop on SH6. Nearby options are Makarora and the DOC campsites on the same road.
Can I stay in Wānaka and visit the Blue Pools in a day?
Yes. The drive is 1 hour 10 minutes each way, plus roadworks time. Start early and check the road with NZTA first.
How much does a hotel cost in Wānaka?
Prices change by date and season, so check the rate for your dates on the booking site.
Are there campsites near the Blue Pools?
Yes. DOC runs Cameron Flat and Pleasant Flat on SH6. Both are booked online and cost NZ$15 per adult and night in 2026.