Blue Pools Track
Blue Pools Track
4.5
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4.5
574 reviews
Excellent
355
Very good
160
Average
46
Poor
7
Terrible
6
Stephen & Sue
Canberra, Australia2,767 contributions
Jan 2023
The Haast Blue Pools are the one spot along the Haast Pass where you will come across crowds. At just over an hour’s drive from Wanaka, and 2 from Queenstown, the Blue Pools are part of every tour itinerary in the region and the car park is filled with buses and cars, and the track, while never crowded, is a constant procession of people walking to and from the pools.
There’s a decent sized car park, and pit toilets, and the walk is, for the most part, a simple, wide, well graded track that only becomes an issue for mobility when you reach the suspension bridge, and the tighter narrower track after it.
The walk to the bridge is well-shaded, and passes through a nice, if unspectacular piece of native bushland.
There are lovely views from the bridge, but the blue pools themselves are a bit further along at the 2nd bridge.
If you’re brave, you can also scramble down to the river and swim in the freezing waters.
We’ve been twice now, and on the most recent visit the waters were green/brown, due to recent rain washing sediment into the pools. Still a nice walk and view, but nothing special, and we found the Hokitika Gorge far more rewarding, spectacular, and brilliant, vibrant blue.
There’s a decent sized car park, and pit toilets, and the walk is, for the most part, a simple, wide, well graded track that only becomes an issue for mobility when you reach the suspension bridge, and the tighter narrower track after it.
The walk to the bridge is well-shaded, and passes through a nice, if unspectacular piece of native bushland.
There are lovely views from the bridge, but the blue pools themselves are a bit further along at the 2nd bridge.
If you’re brave, you can also scramble down to the river and swim in the freezing waters.
We’ve been twice now, and on the most recent visit the waters were green/brown, due to recent rain washing sediment into the pools. Still a nice walk and view, but nothing special, and we found the Hokitika Gorge far more rewarding, spectacular, and brilliant, vibrant blue.
Written 19 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joyman L
Perth, Australia1,716 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Visited in May 2023
Free entry and located outside of Wanaka (1hr drive one way), the Blue Pools have a decent amount of parking as well as ones that are big enough for campervans.
The track is approximately 20min (one way) and is an easy walk that is suitable for all ages. Majority of the trail is along the roaring Makarora River past some very jungle-y ferns scenery until the confluence of the Blue River where the sight of the blue pools are. There is a suspension bridge that crosses this confluence which allows visitors to admire this turquoise beauty over the top of it.
At the Blue pools before the suspension bridge, there is a track that goes down to the river bed which during low water level, you could walk on the exposed river bed of rocks.
Beautiful stop for a short hike and free entry makes this a good stopover even if it is just to see the clear turquoise blue waters. Suitable for all ages.
Free entry and located outside of Wanaka (1hr drive one way), the Blue Pools have a decent amount of parking as well as ones that are big enough for campervans.
The track is approximately 20min (one way) and is an easy walk that is suitable for all ages. Majority of the trail is along the roaring Makarora River past some very jungle-y ferns scenery until the confluence of the Blue River where the sight of the blue pools are. There is a suspension bridge that crosses this confluence which allows visitors to admire this turquoise beauty over the top of it.
At the Blue pools before the suspension bridge, there is a track that goes down to the river bed which during low water level, you could walk on the exposed river bed of rocks.
Beautiful stop for a short hike and free entry makes this a good stopover even if it is just to see the clear turquoise blue waters. Suitable for all ages.
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nikaus21
Newcastle, Australia157 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This track is worth the walk, allow about 30 mins each way. The water is azure blue, just gorgeous!! Remember to pack wet weather gear, as it can turn rainy v quick. Recommend wearing good grip shoes
Written 14 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Honey-UK0123
Manchester, UK12 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Don’t know how this is traveller’s choice when the bridges are closed due to reaching end of their life. Website/google and the signs there clearly tell you the bridge to the pools is shut so you cannot walk to them.
You can still do a forest walk to the shut bridge and around the area or to the river. If you want to get to the pools try paying for a speedboat - we saw some on the river although don’t know where they’d come from.
You can still do a forest walk to the shut bridge and around the area or to the river. If you want to get to the pools try paying for a speedboat - we saw some on the river although don’t know where they’d come from.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqui T
Sydney, Australia400 contributions
Jul 2022
The walk is very accessible to different fitness levels and ages. It is about 30 minutes each way, and it is the most beautiful thing you'll ever see! I would've definitely gone for a dip if I had a towel, but the winter temperatures mean you really need a towel and quite a few layers if you swim. We saw a trout too!
Written 27 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MegsM
Auckland, New Zealand624 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The whole track could so easily have been accessible to anyone save for 10 steps! This is an all too common feature of DOC pathways and starting to get a bit depressing! The track to the bottom of the swing bridge was listed as accessible so we made our way down to there. The view at the end - nothing! You cant even see the river through the trees. Luckily we have two strong teenagers who made sure their dad didn’t miss out and lifted him up the 10 steps onto the first swing bridge (which is plenty wide enough!) and then the rest of the track is board walk to the next swing bridge, which is even wider.
The blue pools themselves are stunning and should be able to be appreciated by everyone. Not good enough DOC.
The blue pools themselves are stunning and should be able to be appreciated by everyone. Not good enough DOC.
Written 25 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gkolanchick
Kittery Point, ME113 contributions
Feb 2020
What a pleasant surprise! Misty rain greeted us this morning and stopped just before arriving at this 15 min roadside trail. The low light actually helped bring out the color of this unique water feature. We’ve ben’ to the Canadian Rockies where you see this color glacial water but not in this intimate a surrounding with suspension bridges over it so you can get great photos to boot. Ethereal on an early quiet morning with few other people around.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan T
Howick, New Zealand133 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
The Blue Pools was everything we expected. Extremely scenic. The water was super clear and blue when we were there. It gets quite busy because the walk is quite short and easy. Relatively flat with 2 bridges.
If you are up for it, take a swim. Be warned that the water is very cold, I read that it’s around 9 or 10 deg Celsius. If you are thrill seeking, people do jump off the bridge often. The water is deep enough but I’d recommend first getting into the water to scope out where the rocks are.
WARNING. There are tons of mosquitoes. Do not leave your doors open (especially in a camper) for more than a few seconds otherwise they’ll fly in and bite you. Take bug spray and spray before you walk and after you swim.
If you are up for it, take a swim. Be warned that the water is very cold, I read that it’s around 9 or 10 deg Celsius. If you are thrill seeking, people do jump off the bridge often. The water is deep enough but I’d recommend first getting into the water to scope out where the rocks are.
WARNING. There are tons of mosquitoes. Do not leave your doors open (especially in a camper) for more than a few seconds otherwise they’ll fly in and bite you. Take bug spray and spray before you walk and after you swim.
Written 31 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FyingKiwi
Christchurch, New Zealand1,130 contributions
Jan 2020
Beware if you are travelling from the West Coast end, as the first carpark indicated for the Blue Pools is in fact an overflow parking area, leaving you to walk another kilometre either along the road or via a connecting track to the "official" Blue Pools carpark. Admittedly, the latter becomes very full, very quickly, and for lengthy periods of time.
The Blue Pools track itself is well formed and of a steady downhill gradient one way (to the pools) and therefore the opposite on returning. Each leg takes around 20 - 30 minutes to complete.
Just before the Blue Pools is a swing bridge, which can provide excitement for some, followed by another over the Blue Pool itself (yes there is only one).
Appears to always be very crowded by families and tourists alike, but if glacial pools and swing bridges are your thing, then worth a look.
The Blue Pools track itself is well formed and of a steady downhill gradient one way (to the pools) and therefore the opposite on returning. Each leg takes around 20 - 30 minutes to complete.
Just before the Blue Pools is a swing bridge, which can provide excitement for some, followed by another over the Blue Pool itself (yes there is only one).
Appears to always be very crowded by families and tourists alike, but if glacial pools and swing bridges are your thing, then worth a look.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul D
London, UK17 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
About a 30 minute drive there and back from Hokitika but well worth the effort.
There is a circular route crossing two suspension bridges which takes about an hour, but there are some stunning views along the way.
The suspension bridges do sway when you step on them and the more people the greater the movement. It can make taking photographs a little difficult.
It was relatively quiet when we visited so we waited for the bridges to empty before we went across. There are great views up and down the gorge from the centre of the bridges.
There is a circular route crossing two suspension bridges which takes about an hour, but there are some stunning views along the way.
The suspension bridges do sway when you step on them and the more people the greater the movement. It can make taking photographs a little difficult.
It was relatively quiet when we visited so we waited for the bridges to empty before we went across. There are great views up and down the gorge from the centre of the bridges.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are dogs on leash allowed on this track?
Written 15 January 2021
As far as I know, yes they are. I definitely saw some dogs while we were there.
Written 15 January 2021
Is this a good place to visit in July (Middle of winter) when I am travelling from Christchurch to Queenstown or is it only good in summer?
Written 30 April 2019
Hi Paul, it's a valley track with a good bridge over the Makarora River. I imagine in heavy rain could get a bit boggy and with some boardwalks a hard frost/ice could make things slippery. Having said that, on a fine day the glacial blue waters are well worth the visit.
Written 9 June 2019
I want to take my elderly Auntie on this walk..is there many steps, shes fine a flat surfaces
Written 4 December 2018
There are some steps up and down to get onto the first suspension bridge. This bridge moves quite a bit as one walks across. Is your Aunt good with the bridge swaying?
The walk is all downhill to the first suspension bridge and back is a reasonable climb, I'm not sure is an elderly Aunt will be able to walk back up the trail.
Written 4 December 2018
Hi, how’s the drive there? We’ll be in a hire car so can’t do unsealed roads. Traveling in mid August. Thanks!
Written 28 July 2018
Roads are in good condition, there is parking nearby with a beautiful walk to the pools. Enjoy!
Written 8 August 2018
Does the water freeze over in winter? I am visiting NZ end of July and am looking at doing to Rob Roy glacier walk as well. Thanks
Written 22 January 2018
Hi there, extremely unlikely that the pools freeze over in winter. The water will be very cold and the it will be shady in there. Rob Roy glacier walk will be very shady, not much sun on the walk in, enjoy, they are both fabulous places to visit. K
Written 17 February 2018
estimate about 8m to 10m. jumping seems risky as the depth isn't consistant and the water is cold. If you have to do it have a friend below just i case.
Written 15 January 2018
It's only a dirt walking track, it's a bit rough and steep at points - but could be possible with help!
Written 12 September 2017
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