Whilst access to the Blue Pools is officially closed, there is still an easy way to access the stunning views at the Blue Pools below.
Read on for further details!
Firstly, it is important to note that the 2 bridges needed to access the Blue Pools in Mt Aspiring National Park have been closed since early-mid 2023. They were closed as they were no longer safe to access and replacement bridges are not anticipated to be completed until mid-2024. You can still access the Blue Pools track up until the first bridge, which in itself is a pleasant walk through the forest and follows a beautiful alpine stream. Is it still worth going just for this? Have a look at the photo below and make up your own mind – it was taken at the trailhead for the Blue Pools access track.
Now for those who didn’t want to miss one of the premier hikes in the region (that don’t involve a whole day commitment), I will tell you how to access the Blue Pools, without the bridges. Upon coming to the first bridge you will see it has been boarded up. If you go to the side of the bridge you will be able to access the riverbank. When we accessed the riverbank, we could see the river was shallow and was not flowing quickly. We also saw multiple other people walking across and were able to follow their path to avoid the deeper sections of the river. Overall, the crossing was shallow, but it did briefly for a few metres get as deep as mid-thigh. So, make sure to bring your bathers or some quick dry clothes, and if the conditions are favourable, you will be able to access the Blue Pools like we did. The water was cold, but I am glad we did it as the river crossing was a fun experience we will not soon forget. Certainly more fun than using a bridge!
Please exercise caution if attempting to cross the river. This can be extremely dangerous if the conditions are unfavourable. When we crossed, it hadn’t rained in days so the water was crystal clear, meaning we could see how deep it was. Also, because it hadn’t rained the water level was low and it wasn’t flowing fast.