Kingston Lake Camp
4.6 43 reviews
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Kingston Lake Camp
With Queenstown banning all freedom camping, this is the closest free campsite to the city.
Thirty minutes south of Queenstown, along the shores of Lake Wakatipu lies this magnificent spot. As daylight breaks, the morning fog slowly lifts off the lake and you can see Queenstown and the surrounding mountains in the distance.
Trees cover the sloped grassy parking areas starting lakeside and going up the hill 100m – enough space for 40-50 campers. (Must not exceed 50 campers) After a rainfall, the camping area is very muddy and campers can easily get stuck: we assisted a couple of folks in getting out.
Must only camp between the hours of 5pm and 10am for 2 nights in any 3-day period.
Remove all waste. Fires prohibited.
Details
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Organisation |
Queenstown Lakes District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Kingston |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
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Reviews
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Stunning lake views -
Plenty of space
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Clean toilets
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Good for swimming
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Muddy and slippery when wet -
Some toilets smell bad
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Few flat parking spots
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Fantastic location.
Jodie Muller -
Lovely.
Rebecca S -
Minimal flat parking so need to get there early.
Chantal D -
Nice little spot.
Giki -
This is such a beautiful campsite.
5 stars!
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Perfect spot!
A dream.
But... thanks to all the freedom campers who pee everywhere (even despite the toilets) and leave their rubbish bags lying around... No wonder there are more and more regulations. Thanks.
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Lovely.
The drive from Queenstown was beautiful as well. If peak season, don’t even bother driving around looking for free camping in Queenstown… the options are minimal and the fines are high if you’re not in an approved spot… wish we had some straight here in the first place. We enjoyed stargazing on a clear night. Bathrooms were tidy. My husband counted over a hundred campers here, so it did end up fairly crowded and there were multiple campers pulling in around and after midnight. If you are in a tent it would be a bit noisy by the road and with the camping traffic.
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Quiet place with nice view.
It is a bit windy. Lots of parking spaces, but few with flat surfaces. Clean toilets.
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Great lake side views.
Gorgeous spot. There are toilets. It was busy when i stayed. Level ground is scarce. All round great spot
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Lovely Place next to the Lake.
Grass Path around Trees. Enough Space. Toilets were fine. Amazing Stargazing Spot at the Lake. Arrived around 6pm in June. Still Plenty of spots.
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Excellent freedom site, only 30mins from Queenstown.
Toilets clean and in very good condition and lots of rubbish bins. Don't miss the gorgeous sunset over the lake.
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Only free camping in the area halfway between Queenstown and Te Anau so it gets very quick very crowded.
Make sure you arrive early for a nice spot on the lake. The campground offer an awesome view on the lake and the mountains. There are only 2 long drop toilets so considering how many people camp there, it gets quickly very smelly but it's clean and there is enough toilet paper. Fine for a quick stop on the way to either of the towns. Actually had a night there both ways.
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Whilst this campsite could probably be very nice our stay was not the best.
It's a big site nicely located next to the water however it was extremely busy when we visited mid-week and we struggled to find a relatively flat spot. If we weren't so lucky we would have been sleeping on a big slope like many others.
The toilets appeared clean however the smell was absolutely the worst we have dealt with over months of travel. I unfortunately caught a glimpse and they were full to the top! Disgusting!
These were our only issues however and we may just have gotten unlucky on our visit.
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Very beautiful place, the lake is magnificent.
The campsite is large and there are many trees and birds. Toilets available
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It’s very muddy and slippery at this time of year.
Be careful many van got stuck. The freecamp down the road has two dry sites as a substitute with rubbish and internet connectivity.
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Fantastic free camp!
Thanks Kingston! We were able to get close to where the beach starts, but goodness, we witnessed 3 folks get bogged, locals and tourists. Don't arrive when it's dark, especially in winter, if it's going to get cold over night, don't go down the wee slopes, get out of your vehicle and have a look where you're going first. Big-rigs might struggle in here, however our friends towing a 24ft caravan did manage to fit and stay! Toilets and bins provided. Self-contained only, although there were a couple in tents. Keep it clean! Keep it free! @tasmantravels
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Beautiful view of lake and semi even ground.
Lots of space to park up and can enter any time. Toilets stink and are a hole under the seat so be prepared.
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This is such a beautiful campsite.
There has always been enough space, there are trash bins and toilets (athough we didn't use the toilets). Such a lovely sleep at the sound of waves breaking at the shore.
We stayed here two times; before our way to Milford sound and again on after Milford sound.
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Great site right on the lake front with lovely views and beach access.
Toilet is clean, well supplied with hand gel. Natural toilet so no water or flush although did not smell and well maintained and modern.
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Beautiful Campsite, BUT: if its raining the muddy ground can be very slippy and as we were there, some Idiots came in the middle of the Night to vandalize
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Perfect spot!
A dream.
But... thanks to all the freedom campers who pee everywhere (even despite the toilets) and leave their rubbish bags lying around... No wonder there are more and more regulations. Thanks.
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Lovely.
The drive from Queenstown was beautiful as well. If peak season, don’t even bother driving around looking for free camping in Queenstown… the options are minimal and the fines are high if you’re not in an approved spot… wish we had some straight here in the first place. We enjoyed stargazing on a clear night. Bathrooms were tidy. My husband counted over a hundred campers here, so it did end up fairly crowded and there were multiple campers pulling in around and after midnight. If you are in a tent it would be a bit noisy by the road and with the camping traffic.
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Beautiful Campsite, BUT: if its raining the muddy ground can be very slippy and as we were there, some Idiots came in the middle of the Night to vandalize
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Quiet place with nice view.
It is a bit windy. Lots of parking spaces, but few with flat surfaces. Clean toilets.
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Great lake side views.
Gorgeous spot. There are toilets. It was busy when i stayed. Level ground is scarce. All round great spot
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Lovely Place next to the Lake.
Grass Path around Trees. Enough Space. Toilets were fine. Amazing Stargazing Spot at the Lake. Arrived around 6pm in June. Still Plenty of spots.
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Excellent freedom site, only 30mins from Queenstown.
Toilets clean and in very good condition and lots of rubbish bins. Don't miss the gorgeous sunset over the lake.
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Only free camping in the area halfway between Queenstown and Te Anau so it gets very quick very crowded.
Make sure you arrive early for a nice spot on the lake. The campground offer an awesome view on the lake and the mountains. There are only 2 long drop toilets so considering how many people camp there, it gets quickly very smelly but it's clean and there is enough toilet paper. Fine for a quick stop on the way to either of the towns. Actually had a night there both ways.
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Very beautiful place, the lake is magnificent.
The campsite is large and there are many trees and birds. Toilets available
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Whilst this campsite could probably be very nice our stay was not the best.
It's a big site nicely located next to the water however it was extremely busy when we visited mid-week and we struggled to find a relatively flat spot. If we weren't so lucky we would have been sleeping on a big slope like many others.
The toilets appeared clean however the smell was absolutely the worst we have dealt with over months of travel. I unfortunately caught a glimpse and they were full to the top! Disgusting!
These were our only issues however and we may just have gotten unlucky on our visit.
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It’s very muddy and slippery at this time of year.
Be careful many van got stuck. The freecamp down the road has two dry sites as a substitute with rubbish and internet connectivity.
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Fantastic free camp!
Thanks Kingston! We were able to get close to where the beach starts, but goodness, we witnessed 3 folks get bogged, locals and tourists. Don't arrive when it's dark, especially in winter, if it's going to get cold over night, don't go down the wee slopes, get out of your vehicle and have a look where you're going first. Big-rigs might struggle in here, however our friends towing a 24ft caravan did manage to fit and stay! Toilets and bins provided. Self-contained only, although there were a couple in tents. Keep it clean! Keep it free! @tasmantravels
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Beautiful view of lake and semi even ground.
Lots of space to park up and can enter any time. Toilets stink and are a hole under the seat so be prepared.
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This is such a beautiful campsite.
There has always been enough space, there are trash bins and toilets (athough we didn't use the toilets). Such a lovely sleep at the sound of waves breaking at the shore.
We stayed here two times; before our way to Milford sound and again on after Milford sound.
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Great site right on the lake front with lovely views and beach access.
Toilet is clean, well supplied with hand gel. Natural toilet so no water or flush although did not smell and well maintained and modern.
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Supernice location.
Fresh toilets. Lots of spots, the ones closest to the lake were around 10-15 so be there early. Blue and cold water.. :)