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Hiking

Moke Lake Loop: a lakeside walk near Queenstown

ReGear

A practical guide to the 6 km Moke Lake loop near Queenstown: allow 2–3 hours, with undulating grassland, wetland boardwalk and gravel-road access.

Moke Lake reflecting the mountains near Queenstown.

Moke Lake gives you open mountain views on a manageable half-day walk. The track follows the lake through rolling grassland, so expect small climbs rather than one big summit push.

Quick facts

  • About 6 km loop; allow 2–3 hours plus stops.
  • Easy to intermediate walking on undulating ground.
  • Start: Moke Lake campground area, reached by Moke Lake Road.
  • No dogs or fires.

Getting there

From Queenstown, take the Glenorchy Road then turn onto Moke Lake Road. The final approach is steep, winding and gravel, passing Lake Kirkpatrick. Allow extra driving time; winter road conditions can require a 4WD.

Location and route

Moke Lake Loop location relative to Queenstown on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Moke Lake Loop mapped walking track highlighted orange on real aerial imagery, with its entrance marked and north up.

Open DOC’s track page and official map. Follow the signed route on the ground.

What the walk is like

  1. From the campground, follow the signed lakeside loop. Stay with the lake circuit rather than the Lake Dispute route.
  2. Continue around the lake through grassland and small rises. The open slopes make the mountain views the main reward.
  3. Use the boardwalk at the southern wetland. Complete the loop along the eastern lakeside road back to the campground, watching for vehicles.

Six kilometres is a useful step up from a short lookout walk. Wear grippy shoes and take your time on wet or uneven sections. The exposed grassland offers little shelter from wind or strong sun.

What I would bring

I would take drinking water, lunch, a windproof rain jacket, a warm layer and sun protection. Pack enough for the full circuit rather than relying on a quick stop back at the car.

Before you go

The campground is the base for the walk. Carry your own drinking water; DOC says the campsite water is turned off in winter. If you want to stay overnight, book the campsite before travelling. Some sections are unsuitable for bikes, so riders should check DOC’s separate cycling instructions.

Check the current DOC alerts and weather before leaving. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.

Reading the weather before a hike

Sources and photo credits

Source checks: 28 September 2026.

Maps: aerial imagery from LINZ Basemaps and its imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0; location labels and track highlights added. Track and road geometry: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Photo: Moke Lake.jpg — André Richard Chalmers. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for display.