Blue Pools Track
Located in Mount Aspiring National Park in the Otago region
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Introduction
The bridges crossing the Makarora River and Blue Pools are closed. The forest walk to the start of the Makarora River bridge is still open, but you cannot see the Blue Pools from this point.
Fitness required: Suitable for most fitness levels.
Gradient: Flat
3 km return via same track
Dog access
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
| Wānaka Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre |
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| Phone | +64 3 443 7660 |
| wanakavc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | 1 Ballantyne Road Wānaka 9305 |
| Hours | Visitor centre hours and services |