Haast is situated in the heart of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. There are national parks to the north, south and east.

Named for German geologist Julius von Haast, the Haast area includes three settlements - Haast Junction, Haast Beach and Haast itself. You get the feeling you’re on the edge of the frontier - helicopters fly deer hunters into the rugged ranges and local pubs make a feature of mounted animal heads.