Haast by Campervan: The Gateway Between Wānaka and the Glaciers

Quick summary: Haast is the small settlement where the road over the Haast Pass meets the West Coast, and for campervan travellers it’s the natural overnight stop between Wānaka and the glaciers. The pass road runs past waterfalls, blue pools and beech forest, and the coast beyond is wild and empty, with dune lakes, rainforest walks and a long road south to Jackson Bay. Park the campervan or motorhome here for a night, then continue north to Fox Glacier, around 120 km away.

At a glance
Where	South Westland, at the western end of the Haast Pass
From Wānaka	Around 140 km, about 2 hours
To Fox Glacier	Around 120 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes
Services	Limited: fuel, a small store and accommodation
Highlights	Blue Pools, Fantail and Thunder Creek falls, Ship Creek, Jackson Bay
Tours	Nature and wildlife tours

Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Queenstown

Why stop in Haast?

Because it breaks a long day of driving into two easy halves. From Wānaka to the glaciers is around 260 km on winding mountain and coastal roads, with few services. Stopping at Haast lets you take your time over the pass, with its many short walks, and arrive at Fox Glacier fresh the next morning for a flight or heli-hike.

What are the best stops on the Haast Pass?

Stop	What’s there
Makarora	A small settlement at the head of Lake Wānaka, with a café and walks
Blue Pools	A short forest walk and swing bridge to clear, blue river pools
Gates of Haast	A bridge over a roaring, boulder-filled gorge
Fantail Falls	A waterfall a few minutes from the road
Thunder Creek Falls	A tall waterfall a short walk from the car park

What is there to see around Haast?

• Ship Creek, around 15 km north, with two short walks: one to a dune lake through swamp forest, the other along the beach.
• Jackson Bay, around 50 km south at the end of the road, a remote fishing settlement and the end of State Highway 6’s southern spur.
• Knights Point lookout to the north, with views along the coast.
• Lake Paringa, a calm lake on the road north, with a DOC campsite.

Is the Haast Pass road suitable for an RV?

Yes. The road is sealed and well maintained, though steep and winding in places, with one-lane bridges and sections where rockfall or slips can close the road after heavy rain. Check road conditions before you set off, fill up with fuel in Wānaka, and allow plenty of time for stops. See our guide to driving the West Coast.

Where can you stay?

• A holiday park and motels in Haast.
• DOC campsites along the pass and at Lake Paringa.
• Freedom camping is possible only at a few permitted sites, generally in certified self-contained vehicles, where Westland District Council or DOC allows it.

What should you know before you go?

• Services are limited. Fill up with fuel and food in Wānaka, and again in Fox Glacier.
• Mobile coverage is patchy on the pass and along the coast.
• Sandflies are common, so bring insect repellent. See our guide to packing for the West Coast.

Where does the trip go next?

North to Fox Glacier, around 120 km, or back over the pass to Wānaka. For the full pass route, see our sister site’s Haast Pass route.

Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Queenstown

Frequently Asked Questions