Haast Pass/Tioripatea Highway short walks

Roaring Billy Falls

Time:  25 min return
Distance:  1 km

An easy walk along a track lined with tree fern, passing some fine examples of miro, matai and silver beech trees.  The broad gravel bed of the Haast River is in contrast to the jumble of huge boulders over which the aptly named Roaring Billy cascades.

Pleasant Flat

Time: 5 min return
Distance: 0.2 km

Starting from the carpark this is an enjoyable, short bush walk beside a tranquil mountain stream. Pleasant Flat is an attractive picnic and camping area with impressive views of Mount Hooker. Overnight camping is permitted; a small charge applies.

Thunder Creek Falls

Time: 5 min return
Distance: 0.2 km

An easy walk along a sealed track, that passes through kahāmi and silver beech to the 28 metre, spectacular and aptly named, Thunder Creek Falls.

Fantail Falls

Time: 5 min return
Distance: 0.2 km

From the carpark the short bush walk leads to a beautiful fan-shaped waterfall at the foot of Fantail Creek.

Haast Pass Lookout Track

Time: 1 hr return
Distance: 3.5 km

This track leads to a view point above the bushline with a stunning vista.

Cameron Lookout Walk

Time: 20 min return
Distance: 1 km

The walk takes you up through silver beech forest to a viewing platform overlooking the Makarora Valley and surrounding mountain peaks.

Blue Pools Walk

Time: 1 hr return
Distance: 1.5 km

An easy walk that starts at the carpark just north of Muddy Creek and leads through silver beech/tahina to a swingbridge overlooking the pools at the mouth of Blue River. Large brown and rainbow trout can often be seen feeding in the pools.

Makarora Bush

Time: 15 min
Distance: 1 km

Starting from the car park, just north of the Makarora Tourist Centre, this looped nature walk passes through podocarp and silver beech forest with good specimens of matai, miro, kahikatea and rimu. Another feature is a pitsaw display, illustrating this pioneering timber milling technique.

Kidds Bush Nature Walk

Time: 30 min
Distance: 1 km

Sawyer Burn Track

Time: 2 hr to the bushline and return
Distance: 2.5 km

Both walks start from the Kidds Bush Recreation Reserve, 6 km along the Hunter Valley Road – turn off SH6 at The Neck. The nature walk is an easy loop track through mountain beech forest.

The Sawyer Burn Track climbs through the forest to the bushline and has superb views of Lake Hawea and the surrounding mountains.

Haast Pass/Tioripatea is on SH6, the road linking Wanaka and Haast.

Adverse weather: The weather can change rapidly in New Zealand. Hypothermia is a real risk even in summer. Be prepared by having warm, windproof clothing and the appropriate footwear. Whiteout conditions caused by snow or low cloud may be present.

Be avalanche alert: This area has terrain that can produce avalanches that cross the track, usually from May into November. View avalanche information.