Haast to Wānaka over the Haast Pass by Campervan

Quick summary: The Haast Pass is the southernmost campervan and motorhome route across the Southern Alps, linking the rainforest of the West Coast with the dry, golden lake country of Wānaka. In around 140 km you pass a string of waterfalls, the famous Blue Pools, the tiny settlement of Makarora, and two vast lakes, Wānaka and Hāwea, with roadside lookouts at every turn. It takes around 2 hours to drive without stops, but most travellers make it a full, unhurried day.

At a glance
Start and end	Haast to Wānaka
Distance	Around 140 km
Pure driving time	Around 2 hr
Recommended time	1 full day, or 2 days with a night at Makarora or by the lakes
Road character	Sealed; winding, with a steep, narrow section at the Gates of Haast and a gentle pass summit at 563 m
Key stops	Roaring Billy Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, Fantail Falls, Haast Pass summit, Blue Pools, Makarora, The Neck, Lake Hāwea
Overnight options	DOC campsites along the Makarora River and lakes, holiday parks in Haast, Makarora, Lake Hāwea and Wānaka
Nearest pickup city	Queenstown
Best for	Waterfalls, short rainforest walks, lake views and a dramatic change of landscape

Why is the Haast Pass such a memorable drive?

Because you cross from one world into another in a couple of hours. Leaving Haast, you are surrounded by dense, dripping rainforest, with waterfalls pouring off the valley walls and the Haast River roaring beside the road. Climb over the pass, and the forest thins into beech woodland. Then, after Makarora, the valley opens out and the road runs along the shores of Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, with dry brown hills, wide skies and water of an astonishing blue.

Much of the drive passes through Mount Aspiring National Park, part of the Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The short walks along the way are some of the best in the country, and most take less than 30 minutes.

What are the best stops between Haast and Wānaka?

Stop	Distance from Haast	Time to allow	Campervan notes
Roaring Billy Falls	Around 30 km	30 min	Short forest walk to a waterfall across the Haast River
Gates of Haast	Around 48 km	10 min	Bridge over a boulder-filled gorge; steep, winding section
Thunder Creek Falls	Around 51 km	15 min	Five-minute walk to a 28 m waterfall
Fantail Falls	Around 58 km	15 min	Short walk to a fan-shaped waterfall over a stony riverbed
Haast Pass/Tioripatea summit	Around 63 km	15–45 min	563 m summit with a short lookout walk
Blue Pools	Around 75 km	45 min to 1 hr	Swing bridges over clear blue river pools
Makarora	Around 80 km	30 min to overnight	Small settlement with café, campground and tours
The Neck	Around 110 km	15 min	Lookout between Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea
Lake Hāwea	Around 125 km	30 min	Lakeside township and lookout
Wānaka	Around 140 km	1–2 days	Lakeside town with full services

Roaring Billy Falls

A short walk through podocarp forest leads to the bank of the Haast River, where Roaring Billy Falls cascades down the far side of the valley. It is a good introduction to the rainforest walks to come.

Thunder Creek and Fantail Falls

These two waterfalls are the most famous on the pass. Thunder Creek Falls drops 28 m through the forest, a five-minute walk from the road. Fantail Falls spreads in a fan over mossy rocks into the stony riverbed, where visitors have built hundreds of small stone stacks.

The Haast Pass summit

At 563 m, the Haast Pass/Tioripatea is the lowest of the main Southern Alps passes, and the summit itself is gentle. A short walk leads to a lookout over the surrounding beech forest and mountains, and the longer Bridle Track follows part of the original pack route.

The Blue Pools

The Blue Pools walk is the highlight of the drive for many travellers. A track through beech forest crosses swing bridges over the Makarora River, where the water in the pools is so clear and blue you can see trout holding steady in the current. Allow about an hour return.

Makarora

Makarora is a tiny settlement with a café, a campground and the starting point for some of the best wilderness experiences in the region, including jet boat trips and scenic flights into remote valleys.

The Neck and the lakes

After Makarora, the road follows the eastern shore of Lake Wānaka, then crosses a narrow isthmus called The Neck, where Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea almost touch. The lookout here has one of the finest lake views in the South Island. The road then follows Lake Hāwea before reaching the township of Lake Hāwea and, finally, Wānaka.

What tours and experiences are available along this route?

• Jet boating on the Haast River. Trips from Haast travel upriver into the rainforest, with a commentary on the area’s history and wildlife.
• Wilderness fly, walk and jet boat trips from Makarora. Scenic flights land in remote valleys of Mount Aspiring National Park, followed by a bush walk and a jet boat ride back down the river.
• Jet boating on the Wilkin and Makarora rivers, deep into the national park.
• Scenic flights over Mount Aspiring from Makarora and Wānaka.
• Lake Wānaka cruises and kayaking at the end of the leg; see our Queenstown Lakes route guide.
• Fishing in the lakes and rivers, which are renowned for trout.

Where can you stay overnight on this route?

• Haast has holiday parks and makes a good base before crossing the pass.
• DOC campsites along the Makarora River and the lake shores, including sites on Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, have simple facilities and superb settings.
• Makarora has a campground in the valley, ideal if you want to explore the Blue Pools early or take a wilderness tour.
• Lake Hāwea and Wānaka have holiday parks with full facilities.
• Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is available at some lakeside spots where permitted; check locally and see our freedom camping guide.

Sandflies are common on the western side of the pass and near the rivers, so keep insect repellent handy.

What are the driving conditions like?

The road is sealed throughout and suitable for motorhomes. It is winding for much of the way, and the section around the Gates of Haast, on the western side, is steep and narrow, with a single-lane bridge over the gorge. Take it slowly, use a low gear when descending, and pull over to let faster traffic pass.

Heavy rain can cause slips that close the road for a time, and snow and ice can affect the summit area in winter. Check road conditions before you set off from Haast or Wānaka, especially after heavy rain. Mobile coverage is limited for much of the pass.

Is it better to drive the Haast Pass east or west?

Both directions are spectacular. Driving from Haast to Wānaka, as described here, you move from rainforest to open lake country, which is a wonderful reveal. Driving from Wānaka to Haast, you see the lakes in the morning light and descend into the rainforest. Choose the direction that fits your overall route; our guide to one-way trips explains how to plan without backtracking.

Where are fuel, supermarkets and dump stations?

Haast has fuel and a small store. Makarora has very limited services. Wānaka has large supermarkets, fuel and dump stations. Fill up in Haast or Wānaka before crossing, and see our dump stations and water guide.

What should you check before driving an RV over the Haast Pass after heavy rain?

Check the road status before setting off from Haast or Wānaka. Heavy rain on the western side can bring slips down onto the road, and closures happen from time to time. Mobile coverage is limited on the pass itself, so look it up while you are still in town.

Which routes connect to this leg?

• Before: the West Coast glaciers route from Hokitika to Haast.
• Next: the Queenstown Lakes route from Wānaka to Queenstown, or the Lindis Pass in reverse towards Twizel and the Mackenzie Country.

This leg features in our South Island 10-day loop and South Island in 14 days itineraries.

Plan this route from Queenstown

Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Queenstown

Frequently Asked Questions