The Secret Moke Lake Lookout Track
The beautiful Moke Lake, located just out of Queenstown is a stunning spot to spend the day or camp out for an evening. Even better, there is a track that takes you straight up one of the hillsides and rewards you with the BEST views of the lake. It’s slightly off the beaten track and isn’t a signposted or maintained trail, so in this guide we’ll give you all the details you’ll need to know before you go!
Where is Moke Lake?
Moke Lake is located about 20 minutes out of Queenstown City. Heading along the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road keep an eye out for a sign to Moke Lake and take a right up a steep hill. After about 5 minutes you’ll come to a gravel road that will recommend a 4wd vehicle. The road is well maintained so most vehicles will have no troubles getting in, just be careful during the winter.
Camping at Moke Lake.
There is a DOC run campground (for tents and vans) with plenty of non-powered sites for $15 a night per person (paid on arrival in cash). In our opinion it’s one of the best camp spots in the South Island. If you go when the weather is good, no doubt you’ll be rewarded with calm waters and a cracker sunrise or sunset! As well as the campground Moke Lake has toilet facilities as well as picnic tables and plenty of space to park up for a day trip.
The Track
Honestly, the view from the top of this track is the best way to see Moke Lake. It gives you a totally different perspective and if you’re lucky enough, you might even end up above the clouds (like we did before they cleared). We highly recommend spending a sunrise or sunset up here!
The track itself is definitely not for everyone (it’s one for those who love a mission). Although it’s only about 30-45 minutes to get to the top, you’re basically walking vertically for half of it as the hike is super steep. The track heads straight up the side of one of the peaks until you reach a flatter bit with a clearing overlooking the lake.
Disclaimer: We did this hike after good weather so we couldn’t tell you what it would be like after heavy rainfall or snow! It could be a little dangerous so make sure you’re make the right decisions.
Finding The Track
As the sign isn’t signposted at all it can be a little bit tricky to find. We’ll do our very best to explain where you need to go.
From the Moke Lake Carpark you want to head right along the lake towards a little bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the track next to the farmers paddock (horse trek tours are run out here). Once you get to the end of the fence, stop and take a right following the fence line along the bottom of the hill, away from the lakeside. Continue following the fence until you reach a gate. Only 30 metres or so from the gate is a very faint track on your left hand side heading up the hill (opposite the fence). Once we were on the track we found it easy to follow to the top.
I will attach a screenshot with a white line to follow. Hopefully this will help.
A Few Things Extra Tips
If hiking for a sunrise or sunset make sure you’re comfortable walking in the dark with a torch. Care must be taken going up and coming down.
The track is hard to spot. The best way to find it is by looking up at the hillside from the bottom of the hill near the farmers gate. Here it’s easier to make out the track as you can spot a faint track and clearing.
Keep in mind there is nowhere to buy food or water in Moke Lake so make sure you’re bringing all your supplies in. There are also no rubbish bins so make sure you’re taking all your belongings home with you.
We know you guys are going to love this view as much as we did! We hope this guide makes the adventure a little more seamless for you. Enjoy and as always…