Blue Pools Track
Located in Mount Aspiring National Park in the Otago region
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Introduction
Nestled among mature beech and podocarp forest, these pools of deep, clear water flowing into the Makarora River offer a moment of tranquillity. This is one of our best short walks.
Fitness required: Suitable for most fitness levels.
Gradient: Flat
Image gallery
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Blue Pools Track Image: Shellie Evans ©
![Blue Pools Track.]( "Blue Pools Track.")
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Blue Pools Track Image: Shellie Evans ©
![Blue Pools Track.]( "Blue Pools Track.")
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Blue Pools Image: Shellie Evans ©
![Blue Pools in Makarora River.]( "Blue Pools in Makarora River.")
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Children walking Blue Pools Track. Image: AllWays Rental NZ | Creative Commons
![Children walking Blue Pools Track.]( "Children walking Blue Pools Track.")
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Blue Pools edge Image: Julian Apse ©
![People standing at pool edge under swing bridge.]( "People standing at pool edge under swing bridge.")
An easy short walk through mature beech and podocarp forest leads to these natural wonders of pure glacial water gathered from the mountains. Travel through open flats for spectacular mountain views and enjoy the coolness of the beech forest to a swing bridge over the Makarora River.
Continue on a boardwalk to the second swing bridge, which is the viewing platform over the Blue Pools. Cross this bridge for great views up the river gorge.
There's a limit to the number people allowed on the swing bridges at any one time – be prepared to wait at each end if numbers allowed have been reached.
Return on the same track.
The Young River Link Track continues on from the Blue Pools bridge.
From Wānaka, drive north on the Haast Highway (SH6) to Makarora township. Continue along the highway for about 12 km. The track starts from the Blue Pools carpark off SH6, opposite Cameron Flat campsite.
What to expect
Change in elevation: +/- 30 m
The nearest toilet facilities are at the Blue Pools car park.
No visitor centre in Makarora
Contact the Awarua/Haast or Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park visitor centres instead.
All drone use must be authorised by DOC
You must have a permit to fly a drone on public conservation land.
The threatened yellowhead/mohua can often be heard in the canopy.
Contacts
| Tititea / Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | 03 4437660 |
| Email: | wanakavc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
1 Ballantyne Road Wanaka 9305 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 93 Wanaka 9343 |
| Full office details | |
