Fancy a mountain lake, with spectacular views, and some hike and walking trail options.. all within 30 minute drive from Queenstown? Look no further than the unheralded Moke Lake. We had this stop as an option during our visit in 2025, but never managed to get to it (yes, there are so many great things to do in New Zealand). The photos below will illustrate the beauty of Moke Lake, and we found it had a lot less people than some of the other attractions closer to Queenstown.
Getting to Moke Lake is simple.. follow the main road towards Glenorchy and turn on Moke Lake road. It will take about 30 minutes. Be prepared that there is no cell phone signal out at Moke Lake. You can camp at the edge of the lake, but it is much more common to do a day trip.
There are a few hiking options, with the most popular being a few hour, flat and scenic Moke Lake loop. There is also a ‘trail’ that climbs up to a viewpoint above Moke Lake. This trail is somewhat unmarked, and is a little rough, so we advise to do it at your own risk (we take no responsibility for anyone who does it unprepared). If you want to get to the view point, head left on the Moke Lake loop track for a few 100m, turn right at the fence and follow it towards the mountain. You will see a little trail snake up the mountain. Hike up for 20-30 minutes to get to the view point. Note – the trail is rough, some what unsafe, and definitely requires good shoes and some hiking experience.
Should you visit Moke Lake as a day trip from Queenstown? We think so.. its calm, beautiful and well worth it.
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