New Zealand, Hiking, National ParksElizabeth AndersonNew Zealand, Mount Aspiring National Park, National Park, Hike, Hiking, Walk, Wanaka, Otago, Water, River, Makarora River, Beech forest, Forest, Swing bridge, BridgeComment

Blue Pools Walk

New Zealand, Hiking, National ParksElizabeth AndersonNew Zealand, Mount Aspiring National Park, National Park, Hike, Hiking, Walk, Wanaka, Otago, Water, River, Makarora River, Beech forest, Forest, Swing bridge, BridgeComment
Blue Pools Walk

Crystal clear blue waters. Need I say more?

This is a very easy and rewarding walk, not far from Wanaka. I had this on my mental “must see” list for a long time, and ended up having the time to stop by on a spontaneous day trip. We had a free day with gorgeous weather, so we hit the road from Queenstown to go for a swim at Lake Hawea. It turned out to be windy and cool when we got to the lake, so we (chickened out) continued onward to Blue Pools on the Makarora River.

Following the Haast Highway (SH6) north from Wanaka, parking is easily available on the side of the road about 8-9km from Makarora township. The trail is an easy walk through beech forest over a boardwalk and swing bridge to a viewing platform of the ridiculously blue pools. A second swingbridge leads you across the pools to a smaller walking trail with few people.

There were a few people swimming here, but the water was icy and the sandflies were voracious. If it had been in a heatwave, we would have jumped from the bridge and swam. Instead, we waded through the river and enjoyed the views.

Hike: Blue Pools Track
Distance: 1.5 km return / 0.9 mile
Elevation Gain/Loss: 50 m / 164 ft
Time: 1 hour