Moke Lake Campsite
Moke Lake Campsite
Queenstown
Reviews
Karin
Ranking: 9/10
(Travelling with husband and two small kids) Absolutely stunning view, lovely campsite. Nice DOC ranger with some good advice on how to be ‘accepted’ by the locals. Basic facilities, don’t expect much. Expect nature at its best and the reason why ‘free’ camping is so great.
Ju
Ranking: 9/10
Loved this place. Beautiful and so quiet and still so close from hectic queenstown. Would go back anytime.
Ashleigh Lim
Ranking: 10/10
I LOVE THIS CAMPSITE! It’s easily my favourite. The only facility is just a public non-flushing toilet however the setting is so peaceful, beautiful and it feels really remote. It was just what I was looking for to relax and just enjoy our surroundings. Do bring some sort of insect repellant though.
Lauren
Ranking: 10/10
Stunning spot, absolutely beautiful location and lovely walk around the lake. Horses and sheep are cool.
Dee Keys
Ranking: 10/10
Perfect place for scenic and tranquil camping with 3 generations of our family. Close to town yet tons of space in beautiful, pure wilderness. Basic facilities completely adequate. Has not got big shade trees but plenty of smaller bushes. Insect repellent a good idea. Walk around the lake lovely and just right for kiddies to get a feel for tramping. Lake nice for swimming in hot January weather. Camp wardens Roy and Dorita went out of their way to be helpful and friendly, very much appreciate their contribution to making our stay at Moke Lake so memorable.
Skyeandjoe
Ranking: 10/10
Absolute heaven. Brilliant views, lovely walk/jog around the lake (2hrs) our fave camping spot so far. (With a small tent)
Timothy Davies
Ranking: 10/10
A bit of a drive along a gravel road from the highway, but a gorgeous site with lovely views. Facilities were basic but clean. One of the best places we stayed. Get up early and walk around the lake, it was beautiful.
Will M
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful location so close to town. Much nice than the one on lake wakatipu
Mirandah
Ranking: 10/10
Unpowered site cost $26 for 2 pax, we only had a twenty and a tenner but the park ranger left us change on our windscreen in the morning which was a pleasant surprise. Toilets were a bit rank but were cleaned in the morning.
Wouldn't have found this spot without the Rankers App, so it was very peaceful and unspoiled. There's a paddock of friendly retired race horses that will come up and say g'day. Views are amazing especially at dusk. Fav spot on our 10 day trip, cheers
Tash & Laura
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful location
Gravel road bumpy but ok in a van
Long drop toilets generAlly ok but lots of flies one day.
Lots of sheep around (sheep safari vibe) , big spaces and lovely rural setting. Taps and covered area but no “kitchen” Perhaps not lots of facilities for 13$pp but beautiful secluded location
Dave Reynolds
Ranking: 10/10
Probably one of the most stunning campsites going. Wall to wall hills and mountains. Totally secluded and with a great little lake in the middle. Heaps of room for tents to be spread all over the place so you have plenty of choice. Lake is frequented by locals during the day for recreation but quiet at night. Facilities are clean but basic, as per a normal DOC campsite. 13 bucks per person but totally worth the little extra. Gravel road to get to but its in good condition. Can get cold at night even in summer so keep that in mind, the only disadvantage to being surrounded by mountains is the sun disappears early on. Highly recommend this place.
Kath Cox
Ranking: 10/10
This was absolutely the best place we stayed in 10 days - and the last night annoyingly!!! We got there early, about midday, which would be my tip to get a perfect secluded spot by the lake. Be prepared for a bumpy 30 mins getting too it but it's not steep, just bumpy. Swam in the lake a couple of times (it's January) and we could hear other people around but hardly saw a soul, so you get the illusion at least of camping in the wild. Your pass isn't valid, which is a bit annoying, and they def check you've paid!!!! Put a good bit of deet on and you'll be fine :)
Rosamund Gilligan
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful location, tranquil, reasonable fees, basic but clean facilities.
Rachael Dyson
Ranking: 9/10
Stayed here for a night in November, what a beautiful campsite. Not the easiest of drives down the gravel road to get there however definitely worth it. Basic toilets and no frills but what an amazing view to wake up to. Be careful of parking on the mud if it's raining as we got stuck. One other tent but felt like we were the only ones there.
Jordan & Jazlyn
Ranking: 8/10
Very pretty amongst the mountains and next to lake (very large grass area). Toilets only, with wash basin. Lots of sandflies. Half gravel road to get in (rough).
Yotakahron
Ranking: 8/10
Road is pretty crazy to get here but it’s a nice spot. Lots of space. $13 pppn in an honesty box. We stayed in May and froze our butts off. There’s a toilet and sink, along with a questionable fountain. Lots of money for what little was provided.
Derek Gillard
Ranking: 10/10
If you like being remote and waking up to a wilderness then this is it. Long drive down an unmade up road but in arrival i loved it.
Toilets basic but clean. We had a clear night and the stars were amazing
Manon Moreno
Ranking: 9/10
We went for just one night and then stay 3 nights! Beautiful and peaceful area. Would be perfect if there were hot showers available.
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Michael Talbot
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful area on the lake, awesome scenery and good facilities. Massive amount of space, easy to find secluded spot.
Nina Wildgoose
Ranking: 8/10
Big spacious campsite with nice views and clean facilities. A little bit pricey ($13pp) considering there were no showers and only drop toilets. Nice friendly warden.
Elke Peterson
Ranking: 10/10
Nice quiet spot by the lake, clean facilities, no service but stunning views make up for it.
Christer Moberg
Ranking: 9/10
Calm spot close to the city. Nice with horses nearby. Clean toilet. Friendly ducks.
Katherine Sanchez
Ranking: 6/10
No running water at least in early June in neither bathrooms nor kitchen area. No drinking water provided. Very empty when we went. Cheap place to stay within 20 minute drive from Queenstown. As you get close to the site the road is gravely. Good for 4WD but we slowly made it in our minivan.
Roger
Ranking: 9/10
Quiet, spacious and a great setting.
Limited facilities but advertised as such.
One of the best.
Alison Harway
Ranking: 10/10
This was a fantastic campground away from the bustle of Queenstown. There are basic amenities--toilets with running water and open kitchen washing up facilities. Lots of open spaces and a beautiful walk around the lake.
Rebecca Lindsey
Ranking: 10/10
Does it get any better than this? What a gorgeous remote campsite, framed by the lake and the mountains, and with a stable with handsome horses just next door.
The pros: location! Yes, you can get away from the crowds while still only being 15 mins. From Queenstown. Clean bathrooms, and a good "kitchen" facility for a DOC site.
The cons: Long drop toilets with no lighting, and no showers or internet, as you may expect from a DOC campsite.
We paid $26 for two people on an unpowered campervan site.
Di Bennett
Ranking: 10/10
What an amazing location right by the lake! Bit of a long drive down a gravel track but well worth it. Met by the warden ('Bear') who was very helpful. Great spot for swimming, walking and horse riding - bit expensive but very well run and lovely horses. Probably our favourite spot.
Bob
Ranking: 9/10
Great campground on a lake. Little bit expensive, considering they only have toilets. $13 per person.
Daniel Andersson
Ranking: 10/10
Gorgeous spot, really one of the best situated campsites we've seen. Plenty of space so everyone gets a nice view and isn't too close to each other. Simple facilities (just toilets and water), but clean. And you get to pretend you're in Top of the Lake (the Paradise scenes were filmed here). $13 per adult, $6.50 per kid.
Catherine Kay
Ranking: 10/10
A beautiful setting. Very basic facilities - showers and a sink area but no gas etc. Quite busy but so much space that it didn't feel over crowded. Camped right on the lake side, ran round the lake in the morning (3.7 miles) followed by a quick swim. Beautiful. Probably my favourite campsite and certainly well worth the drive down the gravel road, which wasn't that bad!
Alyssa Barbieri
Ranking: 10/10
Great campsite; quiet and off the beaten track but still close to Queenstown. Private and open spaces to set up camp depending on your preference. Cooking shelter. Basic facilities (drop toilet) but clean. Camp warden is friendly and there are some nice walks to do nearby.
vaylenmoothia
Ranking: 10/10
Really nice spot: very quiet, plenty of space and amazing views. The warden is super friendly and the facilities are well looked after..
Martine Baars
Ranking: 7/10
You definitely pay for the location with awesome views but facilities are very basic (water supply and drop toilets), $26 for two people.
Maaike Goudriaan
Ranking: 10/10
Stayed here two nights in a row. Lovely quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of Qtown but still close enough. Easy gravelroad to reach the grounds. Lovely lake for swimming and kayaking. Plenty of sheltered spots. Some cool sheep wander the campground and there's a few nice walkingtracks nearby. Cooking shelter provided and the warden is super friendly.
Peter Moore
Ranking: 10/10
Quite a steep road in. Lots of private spaces as well as wide open areas. Great kitchen and facilities. Good information board about walks and activities there.
Chris
Ranking: 10/10
The location at this place is awesome! Toilets are drop toilets, but they are clean and well maintained. It's a rocky road to get there, but we did not have any trouble in our campervan. I would highly recommend that you check this place out.
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Meghan Maloney
Ranking: 9/10
This is such a pristine spot - loved our night here - apart from finding a possum behind the toilet bowl in the toilet block at 5.30 in the morning - scared the crap out of me! The drive here is beautiful going past lots of newborn lambs and the beautiful Lake Kirkpatrick too!
Sue Harrington
Ranking: 10/10
Amazing location - wonderful views in all directions. We stayed one night at beginning of September - one of only 3 campervans there. Facilities are basic but fine, long-drop loos with plenty of paper. It's approximately 8km from the main road, and the last 5km is a gravel track. There's a sign saying 4WD only in winter and spring, but it was fine in our campervan. There was one short stretch of road that was rutted from the rain, but no problem in the dry. The view and the peace were worth the drive.
York Tüchelmann
Ranking: 10/10
One of the best DOC campgrounds during our two month trip through New Zealand. Only a 3km gravel road. We didn't have difficulties to reach this great place near a mirror-lake nestling between mountains and sheep. We were lucky to pass the overcrowded Queenstown, 7 km away. The basic facilities were very clean.
Sam Smith-Palomeque
Ranking: 9/10
4km of windy gravel but totally fine road is worth it to get to this gorgeous site in the basin next to the lake. Very friendly wardens on arrival. 10 dollars is a fine price. Horses right there with you which is lovely and great signpostes walks round the lake start there. Toilets long drops but clean and sinks with water that we drank from. Kitchen facilities of a shelter with lots of room and some sinks to wash up your stuff. Lots of room in and out of the bush. No flies.
Beautiful sunset and sunrise! Would recommend/return.
Felicity Fay
Ranking: 10/10
Awesome scenery, camp wardens are friendly and knowledgeable, facilities clean and well cared for.
Ed Linklater
Ranking: 9/10
Huge field with some regularly cleaned long drops and running water. Beautiful surroundings though, and very well priced for Queenstown. The warden is very friendly and the place feels very safe. Only thing that'd make it better would be some form of showers.
Tony Maroulis
Ranking: 10/10
Great location, about 20 minutes outside of Queenstown. Lots of open grassy areas to tent. A few good places to enter the lake to swim as well. Nice size cooking shelter, toilets were a bit smelly but always had toilet paper. Water taps generally available and the water was drinkable.
Nathaniel Sutherland
Ranking: 10/10
Moke Lake was amazing! The wardens were so incredibly nice and you can tell they love being there just as much as we did. Beautiful scenery. Our favourite campsite in all of the South Island. Very close to Queenstown and the drive down the gravel road is totally worth it. After staying here, we headed down south and eventually had to come back because this place was so amazing. Could have stayed here for weeks. Although no showers, we hardly noticed with the lake right there to fill up our solar shower :). Drinkable water was amazing and all the facilities were clean. Stay here for sure.
Ives van Neck
Ranking: 8/10
Off the beaten track, small DOC camping ground with enough spots. The road to the site is an adventure, enjoyed it while it lasted but wouldn't recommend to do it every day if you love your car.
Gravel road, sandflies, dirty toilets, loud people. $20 for two people in an honesty box - camper without power.
Sandy Bell
Ranking: 10/10
Awesome campsite, beautiful nature around and good facilities.
Lisa Conradie
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful setting, very friendly staff greeted us at the gate. Definitely worth the bumpy road to get there. No showers but clean and basic toilet block. All water drinkable. Stunning scenery!
mathieu boustie
Ranking: 10/10
The campsite we preferred during our South Island trip in December 2013.
So peaceful, a site in the middle of such terrific views.
Along the rough road you wouldn't expect to have such beautiful campsites once arrived.
Sarah Gurney
Ranking: 9/10
Beautifully located campsite fairly close to Queenstown but it felt like it was a million miles away from all the hustle and bustle. The site was quite big with lots of small areas separated by bushes and a bigger field at the back. Facilities were fine, a few clean longdrop toilets and a cooking shelter with sinks. There were signs saying the water should be OK to drink but you might want to boil it but when we got some it was cloudy so we decided not to drink it. The best part about this site was the location, a beautiful glistening lake and stunning mountains. Payment was by an honesty box ($10 per person) and a ranger came to collect in the morning. The only thing I'd day is that we've paid the same elsewhere and had showers included. Overall a great little site.
Antoine Germaine
Ranking: 7/10
Nice place to stay, for $10 per person (you have to put the money in box, no change) with clean toilet, water supply. Good view of the lake and mountain.
Evelyn
Ranking: 8/10
A nice campground for $10 p.P. It's near a lake and has toilets. But the road to get there by car is quite bad.
Shelly Weissbrem
Ranking: 10/10
The only location near Queenstown! A 13km bumpy road which is worth the drive. A beautiful lake view. No showers but clean toilets! Best place to start the day.
Vincent S.
Ranking: 10/10
Amazing surrounding. Beautiful lake. Open space. Not crowded in february. Highly recommend.
Wilma Senior
Ranking: 9/10
A long (about 6 km) drive along a rough gravel track to get there but worth it. Spacious site with no obvious boundaries. New long drop toilets with sinks! Cooking shelter. Friendly hosts.
We stayed in February and the temperature dropped to just about freezing overnight. We woke up to snow on the tops of the surrounding hills/mountains!
Bert Gielen
Ranking: 10/10
One of the best campsites we found. The 6km gravel road is easily done with a van. The site has an on site manager. 10 $ pp. You can stay as long as you want the next day. The lake is clean and good for swimming. It can get hot during the summer so it's a perfect way to cool down.
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Ruben Sanchez
Ranking: 10/10
Stunning place with awesome views. $10 pp. Toilets and kitchen shelter pretty clean.
20 min from Queenstown. Last 7 km dirt road. Plenty of spots. The beginning of different tracks. Good place to go by mountain bike. Extremely quiet and peaceful.
We drunk water from the tap.
Alex Leo
Ranking: 9/10
Love this place. The two wardens are good fun living in their renovated bus. Ducks are particularly fun. I swam across the lake. I'm not a good swimmer so it's a big deal. Was pretty tired after, wasn't sure I was going to make it back but I did. Don't think an ordinary person would. Great campsite, brings out your inner survivor. Very peaceful, aside from the nosey ducks. Those guys need to.chill.out.
oren schnabel
Ranking: 10/10
don't even think about staying any other place around QTWN. this remote 20 mt. drive lake in the middle of the mountains is one of the best spots ever. theres only toilet there but its clean. the views and solitude are the best. we stayed there one night and found our selfs returning for another one. its a DOC 6 $ camp (pp) - and the road is fine for all vehicles.
Lisa Quayle
Ranking: 7/10
Moke Lake has great scenery and a different experience with all of the farm life around. A long gravel road leads up to the site which is quite large and can be rough. They're were rams roaming around the site, which means there was a lot of sheep poo. The facilities are two long drops which were a bit smelly. It can get a bit windy and not a lot of shelter. There are also sandflies around. Be wary on weekend nights for party goers who come out and make a lot of noise which can be quite disturbing.
Daniel Jarrett
Ranking: 10/10
Excellently located campsite next to a wonderful lake which is perfect for walking around. I did the walk at sunrise and the colours were incredible. Surrounded by mountains and wildlife. Brilliant place!!
Manuel Bleiker
Ranking: 10/10
Best value in Queenstown. Located about 30 minutes drive from town near a lake. Very friendly staff.
Lilli Erni
Ranking: 9/10
Nice and quiet. Private space for everyone. Nice walking track around the lake. Very friendly staff.
Robert Erni
Ranking: 9/10
Very nice location at the lake. Friendly staff. Nice walking track around the lake. It is a bit away from Queenstown on an unsealed road but definitely worth it.
Julien Joubert-Gaillard
Ranking: 8/10
Remote place, a lot of unsealed roads, very large, nice toilets, good drinking water, nice lake, nice view. Beside horses if you want to ride.
Claudia Hillebrand
Ranking: 7/10
Bit far from the main road, but nice scenery and heaps of space.
Nadia Somat
Ranking: 9/10
A quick drive from Queenstown will take you to this beautiful campground, Clean toilets and taps, with a beautiful loop track along the lake just next door.
Friederike
Ranking: 10/10
Very clean and beautiful scenery.
Marine
Ranking: 9/10
Really nice campsite. The only negative point were the sandflies.
Stuart Wilson
Ranking: 9/10
Beautifully maintained, clean, good road, filled in potholes and perfect setting.
Gilad Itzkovitz
Ranking: 9/10
Cheap and beautiful.
Andrew Young
Ranking: 10/10
Utterly wonderful DoC campsite location with pitches right next to the lake and with outstanding views across the lake to mountains beyond to wake up to.
Long gravel road to get to the site but well maintained and an easy drive.
Facilities very basic but don’t be put off. Well worth visiting.
Emmanuelle Brevier
Ranking: 10/10
Unique place surrounded by mountains, peaceful quiet, clean facilities and very nice manager, not crowded as the doc near Queenstown. $6 per person.
Kellie
Ranking: 10/10
A gorgeous setting with rolling hills, mountains and lake for swimming/fishing. Rangers were so welcoming and helpful. Lots of space to park on the grass or amongst the bushes.
Jonathan
Ranking: 10/10
My favourite DOC campsite on the south island. We visited in Oct and yes the track is exciting but adds to the wilderness! Great for mountain biking/fishing!!
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Jen
Ranking: 7/10
It was dusk when we arrived at the Moke Lake turnoff, and unfortunately missed the sign, "4WD only in winter"...wish we had seen THAT sign! Once on the road, there was nowhere to turn around, so after a long, hair-raising drive, slipping and sliding in mud in our motorhome, we arrived at the camp ground. It didn't take long before we were thoroughly bogged, along with another couple who had also missed the sign. There is no mobile coverage at Moke Lake, so no "AA".
A big "thank you" to Danielle (a local ranger) for helping us to escape, along with the ingenuity of my husband!
In spite of our negative experience, what a beautiful, peaceful and picturesque location! I wish I had been in a better frame of mind to enjoy it more :) Jen
Pokari
Ranking: 10/10
My favorite campground. Stunning setting by lake and hills/mountains. A 7km drive in from the main road - the second part gravel but I liked this for the adventure (we took a large campervan in no problem). A great feeling of being away from everything. Basic toilet and cooking but we were not looking for more. Lots of grassy space.
Jiri van Straelper
Ranking: 7/10
Good location, a bit grassy and not so many facilities. Lake = okay.
Kathryn Pisco
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful views!! John the camp warden was helpful and friendly. Only one out house was the downside.
Francois Marchar
Ranking: 10/10
Great place, great people.
kimbeveridge
Ranking: 8/10
Fantastic spot and scenery, have a sense of being out in the middle of no where in the shadows of the large mountains. Good clean drop toilets. No drinking water or dump point. Was very cold when we camped but was great.
Francis Runge
Ranking: 9/10
Very nice location and excellent facilities.
David
Ranking: 10/10
The best DOC campground of our one month trip, good facilities, nice place however difficult to access :-)
Very friendly caretakers over there!
N Zitscher
Ranking: 10/10
Best location and view.
William Notcutt
Ranking: 8/10
by far the best camping area in Queenstown and well worth the journey out of the town to find it. lovely DOC staff to welcome you
Chew (Peter)
Ranking: 8/10
Worth gravel road in for views of hills and lake.
Jacquemard
Ranking: 8/10
Very nice place.
Jenben
Ranking: 9/10
Dont be detured by the 3km gravel road to the campsite. It adds the character to the camp site. Lovely and in the middle of nowhere with only the sheep and ducks as company.
Bandzior
Ranking: 10/10
One of the most beautiful places we stayed in NZL. Clean toilets with water. Easy access via unsealed road. Beautiful views. Highly recommended.
Barbara Berkhout
Ranking: 10/10
$7 per person. Peaceful place, long access down gravel road.
Marion Hassink
Ranking: 9/10
Very beautiful, large DOC campsite. Swim in the lake on a sunny day. Quite close to Queenstown. Gravel road access.
Christina Greymann
Ranking: 10/10
Fantastic location when sun is shining, great swimming in the lake,
Andreas Schacke
Ranking: 9/10
Wonderful location/setting, plenty of space, great views.
Harry Ruys
Ranking: 9/10
Silent environment.
Congratulations Moke Lake Campsite - Queenstown
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Pete & Pat Etheridge
Ranking: 10/10
Long dusty track but beautiful lake, lots of space, shelter, privacy - middle of nowhere. Well worth $7 each. All DOC sites have been winners especially off the beaten track.
Emma Bagguley
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful, only $7.
Tadej Ferjan
Ranking: 10/10
Cheap campsite near Queenstown. Its on a very peaceful and beautiful location.
sidcupjon
Ranking: 8/10
Very nice DOC site, about 3km down a gravel track, nice lakeside camping, only $7 pp, facilities are of the basic DOC hole in the ground toilet kind.
Roberto Hallblom
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful place. Have everything: mountains, lake and good campsite. WC + water. Fee = $7.
Balonno
Ranking: 10/10
Great DOC place. A lot of space. Your place can be very private.
Faith Whitcraft
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful spot. Scenery cannot be beat!
Marii Joekalda
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful and peaceful campsite on a lakeside. Lovely scenery, wide open, loads of place for tents and cars. however, DOC guard knocking on the car window at 8am to gather the fees.
cassie
Ranking: 9/10
Gorgeous spot to camp. The walk around the lake is really lovely and worth doing. Close to Queenstown so you get the wilderness and all the adrenalin and action of QT. A great combination.
Jen Fyfe
Ranking: 9/10
$7.10pp. Beautiful surroundings, good private sites and toilet.
Keely & Mark Haynes
Ranking: 9/10
Picturesque setting with a beautiful walk around the lake. Gravel track to get there but no issue in van. Needs more loos and upgrade on existing ones.
Carolin Moberg
Ranking: 10/10
Beautifully situated amongst mountains and green hills. Great tracks nearby.
Jesper Hassel
Ranking: 9/10
Awesome location close to Queenstown. Great tracks and nice lake to swim in.
Mike Howe
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful spot to camp right next to the lake and away from the hubbub of Queenstrap.
Not much shelter from the elements so be prepared. The wind came up in the middle of the night and we had to pack the tent into the back of the car and sleep there to avoid getting blown into the lake.
claudian
Ranking: 10/10
Absolutely stunning. The best campground we visited in NZ.
Nathalie
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful, peace and nature
Thomas K
Ranking: 10/10
15km west from Queenstown. Beautiful and peaceful camp in Lord of the Rings "Rohan" land.
Jules
Ranking: 9/10
Priivacy, tranquil and swimming in mountaineous area. Perfect.
MichaelS1
Ranking: 8/10
Simple camping around a beautiful lake. Nice walking track around lake.