Moke Lake
4.5
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Restaurants
7 within 3 miles
Attractions
45 within 6 miles
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- EMG0117Auckland Central, New Zealand454 contributionsGreat findPleased I made the effort to see this stunning lake in the middle of nowhere. Be prepared for a gravel, narrow road that at times barely fits cars travelling in opposite direction, but peaceful, rural drive through farmland - calves and lambs in abundance when I was there - literally a touch away, The Lake circuit is an easy, pleasant walk. Looks like many families camp there often and what a fab spot to do so. Wear insect repellent due to the sand flies. A wedding reception was being held on the shore when I was there - imagine the incredible photo's they'd have, but it was a bit off putting to venture past the group for the circuit lake walkVisited October 2020Written November 13, 2020
- MilmineMAuckland, New Zealand583 contributionsHidden gemRead about this little lake in an Air NZ magazine. Almost didn’t go because the weather wasn’t too nice but so glad we did! Beautiful backdrop of mountains and valleys. There is a walk right round the whole lake which takes 2-3 hours. Just beautiful!Visited April 2021Traveled as a coupleWritten April 25, 2021
- Toni HDunedin, New Zealand58 contributionsspectacular scenic walkdefinitely worth the walk to this lake. We walked via the Mount Crichton loop Track past Dispute Lake and onto the Moke Lake. Great walk that took us nearly 5 hours. Definitely recommend the walk if you have time - the views are spectacularVisited August 2020Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
381 reviews
Excellent
253
Very good
104
Average
21
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Anne
Petone, New Zealand7 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We were fortunate to visit Moke Lake on a fine calm day, so the reflections were spectacular. We did the walk round the lake, parking in the DOC campsite which has toilets. The walk took us under 2 hours and was a delight because we had views all the way round. Not far from Queenstown and well worth a visit.
Written May 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bsumit26
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Dec 2019
The ride to Moke Lake took a toll on our old camper, but the lake was worth the drive. We did the Moke lake walk and it was really nice. Easy walk but be careful with kids. You can also freedom camp here.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
422sallyc
Auckland, New Zealand26 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
Very picturesque, was a still day and the reflections in the lake were amazing. Slight snow dusting on the peaks added to the beauty. Easy undulating walk, a little muddy in places so walking shoes or boots preferable.
Written July 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachael B
1,893 contributions
Feb 2020
This is a beautiful place to camp and stay the night. There are amazing sunrises here and super pretty landscape. You have to drive through some cow pastures, on a road, to get there but it is totally worth it. If the animals are on the road just keep moving slowly and they eventually move. The owners are super friendly and it is low cost. Best place to stay near Queenstown. We loved it so much we stayed here for 6 nights.
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gavin M
Auckland, New Zealand196 contributions
Dec 2021
I don't want to shout about this place in case it gets popular, but at 20 minutes from town (if that), this is a great walk.
Around the Lake takes just over an hour if you are fast.
Beautiful landscape. Worth the trip
Filing site of the Jane Campion series 'Top of the Lake'
Around the Lake takes just over an hour if you are fast.
Beautiful landscape. Worth the trip
Filing site of the Jane Campion series 'Top of the Lake'
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maree R
Christchurch, New Zealand1,093 contributions
Feb 2022
Absolutely stunning place, not to far on a gravel road to a beautiful doc site with a lake that so clear we had to swim in it. Cool but not freezing. Inviting place to camp so we will be back - need a little bug spray.
Written February 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Summerasalifestyle
Malibu, CA2,791 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Forgot to open my downloaded map on AllTrails. It never showed but trail
Is well marked.
Sprinkles and then full-on rain—left poncho and hat at hotel!
Good hike albeit rainy and wet.
15 minutes of gravel driving to trailhead
Good for most anyone
Is well marked.
Sprinkles and then full-on rain—left poncho and hat at hotel!
Good hike albeit rainy and wet.
15 minutes of gravel driving to trailhead
Good for most anyone
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sas
Montreal, Canada25 contributions
Jan 2020
The day was warm, the water cool, the location a bit out of the way (but surprisingly popular) but beautiful. There's a great 2.5 hr walking track around the lake / valley. Toilets are also there but be warned, not much in the way of shade.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kestonr2018
Wellington, New Zealand261 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
We Katie’s Moke Lake a couple of days ago. We walked around the bluff at the south end of the lake and then turned left and walked down the valley to Lake Dispute. From there we walked down the saddle to Lake Dispute itself and on down the Lake Dispute Track to Lake Wakatipu. This point to point walk took us two hours forty with two nine year old children and an eleven year old. This walk was around 8-9kms and mostly downhill after going around the bluff at Lake Moke and then an initial gentle climb up the valley south of Lake Moke. The walk is very scenic with a great view north across Moke Lake from the bluff on the south of the lake. I have seen other posts of the secret lookout point at the north of Moke Lake and that still probably rates higher than the view from the end we were at. The trip down the valley is good with a number of cyclists also doing the route. There are a few small creeks to Ford which were probably higher than normal due to the rain here recently. The view from the saddle down to Lake Dispute was awesome and also nice views on the track down to Lake Wakatipu. We were able to drop our car at the bottom of the Lake Dispute track and get a Blue Bubble taxi van to take us up to Lake Moke to allow us to do the point to point walk which was billed as being a bit longer than the standard round the lake track. Signs at the beginning said this route would take us 4-5 hours. As above, this very much overstated the time we took. Can’t wait to come back to Queenstown and do the walk from Lake Moke to Arthur’s Point along the Moonlight Track next.
Written January 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aus59
canberra101 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
This is one of the best walks around Queenstown with 360 degree mountain views. About 20 minutes by car from Queenstown. Take the Glenorchy Road from Queenstown and turn right onto Moke Lake Road (just before Closeburn). The first 5 mins are sealed, then a good all weather road takes you to the Moke Lake Camp Ground (costs $NZ10 per night to camp). There's a covered area to have lunch and a toilet block. We went in an anticlockwise direction. It took us about 1hr 40 with photo stops - we took a few photos. Moke Lake was very calm and reflections of the surrounding mountains were mirrored onto the lake. The view was awesome, even on an overcast day. There are several sections of boardwalk on this track to protect wetlands. The last couple of kilometers are on a dirt road where cars travel on.
In Summer/Autumn this place would be great but I imagine would get crowded. You can swim, kayak etc. No dogs are allowed. Word of caution - in wet/snowy weather tracks can be very boggy, so be prepared for mud. There are also sand flies, so spray yourself with insect repellent. Other wise I would highly recommended this walk.
In Summer/Autumn this place would be great but I imagine would get crowded. You can swim, kayak etc. No dogs are allowed. Word of caution - in wet/snowy weather tracks can be very boggy, so be prepared for mud. There are also sand flies, so spray yourself with insect repellent. Other wise I would highly recommended this walk.
Written August 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
da1danikakate
Hamilton, New Zealand10 contributions
Can you park up and see the lake straight away or is it a long walk to see it? Not wanting to do a big hike but definitely want to stop in and see the lake
rrfaris
Moorooduc, Australia16 contributions
The lake is right beside the road.
Glòria T
1 contribution
Can we come with a caravean?
NZBeerMonster
Queenstown, New Zealand143 contributions
Depends on the weather. Last night we had heavy rain so probably not because road will be muddy. And in winter road has ice.
But in the middle of dry weather you will probably be able to get through.
Note road is very narrow so cars coming towards you may struggle to get past. And you will possibly find it difficult to reverse out of their way because road is uneven and steering a caravan in reverse might be more unpredictable than usual.
gunners182
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia8 contributions
Hi.Does Lake Moke is accessible via normal sedan car? Thanks in advance
Lathkill
Auckland Central, New Zealand1,090 contributions
For the majority of the year a normal sedan will be fine. Don't drive it during the winter if there is snow & ice without having snow chains.
Enjoy the drive up to the lake as much as the lake it's self.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Moke Lake
- We recommend booking Moke Lake tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Moke Lake tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Moke Lake:
- (0.56 mi) Matakauri Lodge
- (0.41 mi) The Alpine Retreat
- (0.36 mi) Southerly | Private Hot Tub + Gas Fire + BBQ
- (1.96 mi) Azur
- (2.71 mi) Platinum Queenstown Villas
- Restaurants near Moke Lake:
- (2.27 mi) Nest Kitchen + Bar
- (3.71 mi) Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience
- (3.69 mi) Blue Kanu
- (3.59 mi) Perky's - Floating Bar Queenstown
- (3.56 mi) Sal's Authentic New York Pizza - Beach Street
Moke Lake Information
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