Blue Pools Track

About the walk

• River pools that look blue if it hasn't been raining
• Native beech forest, birds and mountain views
• Gravel path with rocky sections and two swing bridges

The Blue Pools are natural pools fed by snow from the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. They appear blue and crystal-clear if it hasn't rained recently.

The track to the Blue Pools is well signposted from Blue Pools car park.

Follow the track through native silver beech/tāwhai forest for 30 min until you reach the swing bridge over the Makarora River. Cross the bridge and follow the track to your left. After 2 min, you’ll reach the second swing bridge above the Blue Pools.

Cross the bridge for views of the pools and river gorge. From here, the track becomes Young River Link Track.

Return to the car park the same way you came.

Directions

Blue Pools car park is well signposted from Haast Highway (SH6), about halfway between Wānaka and Haast.

Driving from Wānaka, the car park is 10 km after Makarora township, on your left.

Open in Google Maps

Travel times (by car)

• Makarora township (10 min)
• Wānaka (1 hr 10 min)
• Haast (1 hr 10 min)

Parking

Blue Pools car park has:

• free parking for cars and campervans
• two marked mobility spaces.

The car park gets very busy during the summer season (November to April).

Safety and hazards

River safety: Rivers are unpredictable and can contain hidden dangers. No jumping off swing bridges.

When to go

• Blue Pools Track is popular year-round. The walk can get crowded, especially during the summer season (November to April).
• The Blue Pools are clearest when it hasn’t rained recently, and on a sunny day. After heavy rain, they are brown and muddy.
• New Zealand weather changes quickly. Check the weather forecast before you go, and be prepared.

Check weather forecast

Be prepared

Plan your visit

• Bookings are not required for Blue Pools Track.
• Toilets and an accessible toilet are located at Blue Pools car park.
• Drinking water is not available. Bring your own.
• Camping is available at Cameron Flat Campsite. The campsite is across the road from Blue Pools car park.
• Limited food and petrol options can be found at Makarora township (10 min by car). More services are available in Wānaka and Haast.

What to take

Sandflies can be fierce here. Bring insect repellent.

Short Walks gear list

Care for nature

• Rubbish bins are not provided. Take your rubbish with you.
• Rock cairns/stacks change natural ecosystems. Leave no trace of your visit.
• Soap and detergents pollute this pristine environment. No washing in the pools.

Protecting nature in Aotearoa

No drones

Flying a drone without a permit is strictly prohibited.

Drone use on conservation land

Birds

While walking Blue Pools Track you may see or hear:

• bellbird/korimako
• grey warbler/riroriro
• rifleman/titipounamu
• yellowhead/mohua.

New Zealand birds A–Z

Plants

Native silver beech/tāwhai is the most common tree on Blue Pools Track. The shrubland at the start of the track is dominated by bloodwood (Coprosma wallii).

Between October and January, you may see red-flowering native mistletoe/pirita.