Quick FactsOverview
About Welcome Flat Hot Pools
Welcome Flat Hot Pools, New Zealand are free natural backcountry thermal pools beside Welcome Flat Hut in Copland Valley, Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the South Island's West Coast. The pools sit 18 km from the State Highway 6 trailhead and are reached on foot via the Copland Track. There is no entry fee and no facilities at the pools. The Department of Conservation manages the hut and track; the pools are a natural feature with no infrastructure beyond the surrounding hut system.
The Copland Track was constructed from approximately 1901 to 1913 as a tourist route linking the West Coast with the Hermitage at Mount Cook. Workers discovered the hot pools during construction, and they quickly became a key attraction for early tourism in the region. The track is historically significant as the only track on the West Coast built solely for tourist use at that time.
The pools offer views toward the Sierra Range on clear days. The water entering the pools is hot at source; the hut warden manages inflow to maintain a comfortable bathing temperature. Among the natural hot springs in New Zealand requiring a long hike to reach, Welcome Flat is the most frequently visited backcountry thermal pool on the South Island.
Location & Access
Getting to Welcome Flat Hot Pools
Welcome Flat Hot Pools are reached via the Copland Track, starting at a car park off State Highway 6 approximately 26 km south of Fox Glacier. The turn-off is signposted on the northern side of the Karangarua River bridge; after turning off, drive approximately 150 metres down a gravel road to the car park. From there, the walk to Welcome Flat Hut is 18 km one way and takes approximately 7 hours at a moderate pace. The pools are a short stroll from the hut.
The track follows orange markers through temperate rainforest, with sections on river terraces and bouldery riverbed. Most side creeks are bridged, including a high swing bridge over Shiels Creek. The track is graded as suitable for people with limited backcountry experience but requires fitness and appropriate gear. Many visitors treat it as an overnight trip, staying at Welcome Flat Hut before retracing the track. Welcome Flat Hut has 31 bunks and must be booked in advance through the Department of Conservation booking system.
Bus transport from Fox Glacier to the trailhead may be available but must be booked in advance. There is no mobile coverage on the track. For visitors looking for natural hot springs near Fox Glacier accessible on foot through the West Coast backcountry, the Copland Track and Welcome Flat are the defining option in the region.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Welcome Flat Hot Pools
Welcome Flat Hot Pools suit experienced walkers who are fit enough to complete a 7-hour tramp each way with a full overnight pack, and who are comfortable with West Coast weather uncertainty, river crossings, and the absence of mobile phone coverage on the track. This is not a suitable trip for families with young children, beginners to tramping, or those expecting a straightforward day walk to a pool.
The track is not wheelchair accessible and offers no accessible route to the pools. The terrain involves uneven ground, rocky river terraces, bridged creek crossings, and sections of track that can become slippery and muddy in wet conditions. The risk profile is genuine: the Department of Conservation explicitly lists avalanche risk in winter and spring, the potential for flood-level closures at short notice, and the possibility of being stranded at the hut if the track floods during your stay.
For experienced trampers, the trip is genuinely rewarding. Multiple visitor accounts note the track is moderate in terms of elevation gain, with a gradual climb of approximately 420 metres to Welcome Flat, and well within the range of fit walkers used to carrying a pack for a full day. The experience of soaking in natural hot springs in a remote alpine valley after a long hike is the reason the track has attracted visitors since the early 1900s. Among the free hot springs in New Zealand that require real effort to reach, Welcome Flat is one of the most worthwhile. Plan around the weather, book the hut well in advance, and bring everything you need.
Safety & Etiquette
Welcome Flat Hot Pools Safety Tips
Welcome Flat Hot Pools are in a remote area with genuine natural hazards. The Department of Conservation lists the following risks on the Copland Track: flooded rivers and side creeks, rockfall, landslide, and avalanche in winter and spring. The track may be closed at short notice during heavy or sustained rainfall. If you are at Welcome Flat Hut when a closure occurs, you may be required to wait until the track reopens and water levels drop before leaving safely. Bring extra food to allow for this possibility.
At the pools, the water feeding the pools is very hot at the source. Do not touch the feed stream. The hut warden manages inflow temperature, but conditions can change. Test the water before entering. The Department of Conservation asks all visitors to keep their heads above water at all times. Do not use soap, shampoo, or any cleaning products in or near the pools. Do not dig new pools or modify existing ones, as the pools are a fragile natural environment.
Sandflies are a significant issue on the West Coast, particularly at the car park and around the hut. Bring strong insect repellent and apply it before leaving the car park. Carry drinking water or a treatment method; hut tap water is not treated and should be boiled. The car park is remote with no attendant. Do not leave valuables visible. Kea alpine parrots may damage vehicles; check for any protective measures recommended by DOC. Register your planned return with a trusted person before departing. There is no mobile coverage for the duration of the track.
