Kingston Lake Camp

Kingston Lake Camp

40 Rankers Reviews

2 Kingston

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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

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Queenstown Lakes District Council

Council organisation

Location

South IslandQueenstown RegionKingston

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-45.2936982367992

168.760778808594

Latitude
-45.2936982367992
Longitude
168.760778808594

Nearby

Reviews

    • Icon__tickStunning lake views

    • Icon__tickClean toilets

    • Icon__tickPlenty of parking space

    • Icon__tickIdeal for star gazing

    • Icon__crossBusy, can get crowded

    • Icon__crossUneven ground for parking

    • Icon__crossToilets often smelly

    • Decent little campsite with good views.

      Icon__personMil

    • We didn't get to camp here but it's gorgeous!

      Icon__personShelly

    • Beautiful spot!

      Icon__personRochelle 🥰

    • You HAVE to come here.

      Icon__personSophie Cooper

    • This is such a beautiful campsite.

      Icon__person5 stars!

    4.6 40 Reviews Analysis
  • Quiet place with nice view.

    It is a bit windy. Lots of parking spaces, but few with flat surfaces. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • Great lake side views.

    Gorgeous spot. There are toilets. It was busy when i stayed. Level ground is scarce. All round great spot

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

    Ben's avatar

    Ben

  • 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.

    Reviewed 5 months ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed 11 months ago

  • Very beautiful place, the lake is magnificent.

    The campsite is large and there are many trees and birds. Toilets available

    Reviewed 11 months ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    Gas's avatar

    Gas

  • Beautiful spot next to the lake.

    Lot of space. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 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

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • Beautiful spot, the views we're amazing!

    A lot of spaces, but not very flat.

    Clean toilets!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Ann's avatar

    Ann

  • 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.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • Super cool Camp.

    Beautiful Lake and nice people!

    2 Toilets, only one can be looked.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Val's avatar

    Val

  • Beautiful spot by the lake.

    Toilets on site. Plenty of space and pretty busy in the summer.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 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.. :)

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • Quiet place with nice view.

    It is a bit windy. Lots of parking spaces, but few with flat surfaces. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • Great lake side views.

    Gorgeous spot. There are toilets. It was busy when i stayed. Level ground is scarce. All round great spot

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

    Ben's avatar

    Ben

  • 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.

    Reviewed 5 months ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • Very beautiful place, the lake is magnificent.

    The campsite is large and there are many trees and birds. Toilets available

    Reviewed 11 months ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed 11 months ago

  • Beautiful spot next to the lake.

    Lot of space. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

    Gas's avatar

    Gas

  • 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

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 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.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • Beautiful spot, the views we're amazing!

    A lot of spaces, but not very flat.

    Clean toilets!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Ann's avatar

    Ann

  • 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.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • Beautiful spot by the lake.

    Toilets on site. Plenty of space and pretty busy in the summer.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • Super cool Camp.

    Beautiful Lake and nice people!

    2 Toilets, only one can be looked.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Val's avatar

    Val

  • 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.. :)

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • Brilliant spot nearby the lake, and...

    One of the few available spot near Queenstown so very much appreciated.

    Good toilet.

    The ground was a bit uneven so a bit challenging a night to know where you go. Lots of spots.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago and experienced in September 2023

  • Loved this spot.

    Amazing views of the lakes and mountain. Good for a swim. Peaceful. Would be a 10, but some of the worst long drop toilets we experienced.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • Great place for a free overnight stop.

    Nice views of the lake and several flat spots to park. Road is close but the noise didn't seem to bad. Several other vans around but plenty of room for everyone.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago