A panorama taken form a lay by near Haast Gate showing a swollen Haast River, filled with water from 24 hours of rain as a cyclone passed through the region. Clear skies were beginning to appear a couple of hours after the rain stopped and already the river levels were dropping quickly. Earlier in the day it had been difficult to see the hill on the opposite side of the river.

Haast River Lookout near Haast Gate - Haast visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Haast River Lookout near Haast Gate' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from West Coast.

The Haast River originates on the western side of the Haast Pass, near the boundry between the West Coast and Otago on the south Island of New Zealand. Descending rapidly through steep and dramatic mountain ravines, the river then flows through a large flood plain to the Tasman Sea near Haast. The area around the Haast Pass is filled with steep gorges and long waterfalls. The most famous of these are Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls.

Tourism plays an important part in the economy of the region, and Haast River Safari offers jet boat trips up the Haast River deep into Te Wahipounamu, providing a unique insight into the region and shore access during the trip.

Highway 6 follows the river's course from source to sea as it traverses the Haast Pass. The drive is often one of the highlights of any road trip to South Island. Three bridges cross the Haast River, the first is the famous Gate of Haast, a narrow, single lane bridge across a fast flowing gorge. The second crosses back again at Pleasant Flats Campground, at the beginning of the flood plains where the vista opens up dramatically. Finally, next to Haast township, the Haast Bridge, one of the longest bridges in New Zealand, crosses the mouth of the Haast River heading north up the coast.

Road: The Haast Gate is about 10km west of the highest point of the Haast Pass. It is 50km from Haast on the West Coast, and 30km from Makarora (90km from Wanaka) in Otgo to the southeast.