A Guide To Otago's Stunning Blue Pools
Within the lush beech forests of Mt Aspiring National National Park, in New Zealand’s Otago region, lies an icy treasure guaranteed to take everyone’s breaths away. Here’s our guide to Otago’s incredible blue pools.
Where the Blue River connects to the Makarora River a beautiful showcase of vibrant glacial waters comes into full view.
We’re talking about the South Island’s Blue Pools, which have become a popular attraction thanks to the compelling hues they are named after. As light refracts from these deep pools, the waters are doused with a distinctive blue tinge you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
Many people come to see this spectacular phenomenon as they’re navigating through the scenic Haast Pass driving route. From Wanaka, simply take State Highway 6 towards Lake Hawea to reach Makarora, then continue past it to reach the Blue Pools car park entrance. The drive between Wanaka and Makarora is 64.2 kilometres (40 miles) long, typically taking just under an hour to complete, and the Blue Pools car park is just off the Haast Highway, some 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the Makarora township.
It is through a smooth-sailing, 1.5-kilometre (0.93-mile) return journey over the Blue Pools Track that travellers get to see the pools in all their glory. The walk is easy enough for a child to handle – in fact, it only takes around 15 minutes to reach the viewing platform that will allow you to immerse yourself in those lovely water vistas.
Your path begins at the Blue Pools car park, then delves into the rich native forests before traversing the bridge that provides the ideal vantage point of the river gorge below. The only thing to note is that the suspension bridge can only handle a few people at a time – but other than that, everything about this trail is perfectly straightforward.
The Makarora and Blue Rivers are renowned for their optimal fishing conditions – so you might spot a few trout swimming past the Blue Pools on a quiet day.
Once you’ve finished admiring this photogenic beauty, consider exploring the other attractions within easy reach of the viewing platform. Avid hikers are sure to relish the Blue-Young Link Track, which extends from the Blue Pools trail onto a back country stretch as it ventures into the mouth of the Young River. Another interesting route is the Blue Valley track, which contours and rises above the Blue River before descending into Camp Flat as you reach the head of the valley.
If you have an affinity for waterfalls, the Blue Pools are within reach of some of the Haast Pass’s most famous. Notable examples include the boisterous Thunder Creek Falls, near the Gates of Haast bridge; the Fantail Falls, known for their beautiful fan shape formation as the water trickles down to the Fantail Creek; and the Roaring Billy cascades, which tumble down the huge boulders along the Haast River as it lands upon the broad gravel beds.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
