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What to see on the Haast Pass | Best stops
The Haast Pass is one of the carThe most spectacular waterfalls to see in New Zealand. With 140 kilometers, this route crosses the Mount Aspiring National Park, borders the lakes Hāwea y Wanaka, taking you from the charming town of Wanaka to the wild West Coast. A journey that combines turquoise lakes, lush forests, waterfalls and some of the best hiking trails in the country.
In this guide we tell you everything you need to know to Tour the Haast Pass, including the best stops, hiking routes and practical tips. Let's get to it!
- What is the Haast Pass
- Best stops and treks on the Haast Pass
- 1. Lake Hāwea Lookout
- 2. Isthmus Peak Track
- 3. The Neck and the detour to the lake
- 4. Blue Pools Track
- 5. Haast Pass Lookout Track
- 6. Wilson Creek Chasm: a magical corner
- 7. Fantail Falls
- 8. Brewster Hut – Glacier Cave
- 9.Gates of Haast
- 10. Thunder Creek Falls: The best waterfall to see in the Haast Pass
- 11. Roaring Billy Falls
What is the Haast Pass
The Haast Pass (State Highway 6) is one of the three carroutes that cross the Southern Alps, connecting the Otago region with the West CoastIt is famous for its lake landscapes and pristine forests of Mount Aspiring National Park.
Although many travellers use it as a passage route between Wanaka and the Franz Josef or Fox glaciers, the Haast Pass hides some of the most spectacular landscapes what to see in new zealand.
If you drive slowly, making short stops it will take you about 4-5 horas to reach the coast. If you plan on doing longer hiking routes, I recommend dedicatingcarAt least a full day. There are no hotels, but there are several DOC campsites where you can sleep if you're traveling in a campervan.
Tips for touring the Haast Pass
Before starting to tell you a little more about each of the stops, let's go over some things you should keep in mind.
- ⛽ Gas stations: Fill the tank in WanakaThere are no petrol stations within 140 km. In the opposite direction the last one is at Haast Junction.
- 🍽️ Food: Bring snacks and water, there are no restaurants or shops until you reach the coast, where there is not much to do until Fox Glacier.
- 📲 Mobile connection: Somecaroffline maps, there is almost no coverage anywhere in the carretera.
- (I.e. AccommodationsThere are no hotels, but there are DOC campsites along the carRetera, check it with the Campermate App.
- 🦟 Don't forget repellent, there's a lot sandflies in the zone.
- ⚠️ Weather: There are hiking routes that cannot be done depending on the season or if the river level has risen significantly.
Recommended hotels in Wanaka
($$) Altamont Lodge
($) Hampshire Holiday Parks
View all accommodations from Wanaka
Recommended Hotels in Fox Glacier
($$) Alpine Escape
($) Ivorytowers Accommodation
View all accommodations at Fox Glacier
Better stops and trekkings on the Haast Pass
Keep in mind we leave you the best stops arranged from Wanaka towards the West Coast. Many of them are short stops at viewpoints or trails that take just over an hour without any difficulty, others are challenging hiking routes. We'll tell you all about it!
1. Lake Hāwea Overlook
After leaving behind the charming Wanaka village You'll begin to circle Lake Hawea; on sunny days it's a blue mirror surrounded by mountains. One of the first postcard-perfect sights! What to see in the Haast Pass!
From your car or camper you will already have beautiful views, but along the lake you will also find corners where you can stop, the best is one that has a small mound to see it with a better perspective, I leave you the location.
2. Isthmus Peak Track
Between Lake Hāwea and Wanaka lies a little-known but spectacular hiking route, with a landscape very similar to that of Roys PeakIf you prefer off-the-beaten-track trails, Isthmus Peak is for you.
- Distance: 16 km (round trip)
- Duration: 5-6 horas
- Slope: +1,300 meters
- Difficulty: Hard
3. The Neck and the detour to the lake
En The Neck «El Cuello"The strait that separates Lakes Hāwea and Wanaka, just before reaching it there is a turnoff towards a carA dirt track leads to the lake's edge. It can be a quick stop while exploring Haast Pass, or you can take advantage of the opportunity to have breakfast, as we did. The place is inviting, and you might even want to take a dip on summer days.
4. Blue Pools Track
The Blue Pools are a must see! This trail takes you through the forest to a suspension bridge over the Makarora RiverThe water is so clear it seems unreal, and in summer, the brave can take a dip. When we were there, the bridge was closed, but the views from the car park and the river along the trail were worth it.
- Distance: 1.5 km (round trip)
- Duration: 30-40 minutes
- Difficulty: Very easy
5. Haast Pass Lookout Track
At the foot of carThe trail begins with a climb to the Haast Pass viewpoint; at the top you'll find panoramic views of the valley. Haast River and Mount Brewster snow cap behind the immensity of the National Park forest.
- Distance: 1.5 km (round trip)
- Duration: 30 - 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
6. Wilson Creek Chasm: a magical corner
This gorge is one of the best kept secrets what to see in the Haast Pass. The Wilson Creek Chasm is mossy, and inside it, a small waterfall falls on the crystal-clear stream. To access it you have to wet your feet, when we went almost up to the knee (the water is freezing!), so in winter it is quite inaccessible.
This is the exact locationThere are two sides to the carThere are parking areas (one before and one after the bridge). From there, you'll only have to walk a few meters into the canyon. The visit won't take more than 15 minutes.
7. Fantail Falls
An accessible and photogenic waterfall, Fantail Falls cascades in a fan over rocks. Access is very easy, it will not take more than 2 minutes From the parking lot, you can see them from the opposite end of the river or from the side.caryou will cross it if the level is low.
When we went there were days when it wasn't raining and they were very dry, but seeing other people's photos in the reviews of Google Maps It is appreciated as when they go carWater features are very beautiful.
8. Brewster Hut – Glacier Cave
From the same parking lot of Fantail Falls there is a route to get to the Brewster Hut. It is 6km and +1000 that takes between three and four hours to complete. It is one of the many cabins in New Zealand where you can stay overnight, after booking on the website of the DOC.
Once in the cabin another route begins that takes you to the foot of the Brewster Glacier, for us it is undoubtedly one of the New Zealand's best hiking trails, but keep in mind that it is demanding and has technical parts.
- Distance: 12km (round trip)
- Duration: 9 – 10 hours
- Slope: + 1.400m
- Difficulty: Very Hard
9.Gates of Haast
An iconic point of the Haast Pass where you cross the gorge of the Haast River across a single bridge carJust after crossing it, there's an area to stop and a path leading down to get a better view of the rapids in the gorge. It's a stop of no more than 10 minutes that's well worth making.
10. Thunder Creek Falls: The best waterfall to see in the Haast Pass
Very close to Fantai Falls and Gates of Haast is what we consider to be the best waterfall to see in the Haast Pass. Thunder Creek Falls is a jump of 28 meters high that falls into the turquoise waters of the river. It is super photogenic and you only have to walk 200 meters from the parking lot to be able to see it head on.
11. Roaring Billy Falls
The last stop we recommend you make before reaching the West Coast is the Roaring Billy Falls, a waterfall hidden in the middle of a native forest. To get there you will cross a forest full of ferns and moss of just 500 meters that takes you in front of them, in between you will have the Haast River which, as it could not be otherwise in the Haast Pass, is an intense blue color.
Once you reach the West Coast you will start driving through coastal landscapes where you will also see some places where you can stop to see the views and stretch your legs before reaching one of the most popular areas of New Zealand, the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, where we recommend you do the helicopter tour to know them.
I hope I have helped you organize your route through the Haast Pass, a must if you plan travel to new zealandTake your time, go hiking, and let yourself be surprised by every turn of this carEpic challenge. Have a good trip!
