Summary of my walk around Moke Lake
Ok, so I’ll confess right now, I biked around Moke Lake instead of walking. I had my e-bike with me and just jumped on and rode it. Moke Lake is nestled in the mountains on Ben Lomond station located about 20 mins drive from Queenstown on the road to Glenorchy, turn off after 10 mins. The walk is a lovely loop right around Moke Lake, which would take you 2 and 1/2 hours if you walked it. Took me 1 hour to bike, but I was stopping for lots of photos. The track is mostly easy, with some steep parts along with rocky bits. There are lovely views of the lake all the way round. Go in the morning as early as you can before the wind gets up, then you’ll get those stunning photos of a mirror lake.
If you go walking just after it’s rained, expect muddy parts with little waterfalls beside the track. Walking in winter is more stunning with snow capped mountains, but much colder than summer.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
- Time needed: 2 & 1/2 hour walk or 1 hour bike ride
- Difficulty: Medium
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Route: Loop
- Elevation: 580 m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: Yes in the reserve
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: No
- Last Updated: March, 2020
Summary points about this walk
Points of interest along the walk
Drive into Moke Lake from Queenstown
The turnoff to Moke Lake is only a 10 min drive from Queenstown. Once you hit the gravel road the big mountain views start to look awesome. Depending on the time of year you go, (we went in summer) it would be even more spectacular with snow cap mountains.
Start of the walk around Moke Lake
The car park is huge at Moke Lake Reserve where the walk begins. There is even more parking on the big flat paddock next to the gravel car park. Plenty of room for a picnic and large motorhome parking. There are two toilets here, both long drop type, no flushing water!
First section around Moke Lake
Go early to see the stunning reflection on the mirror lake of the mountains. Unfortunately the day we were out there it was a bit windy, so no stunning reflections for us. We did go too late in the day though.
Boardwalk and styles
There are three lots of boardwalks at the southern end of the lake to protect a small wetland. The second two are a bit wider than the first. I’m a bit hopeless riding on skinny boardwalks and had to walk my bike on the first one. The styles are great for walkers but really hard for single person’s with a heavy e-bike.
