Kingston Lake Camp
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Kingston Lake Camp
With Queenstown banning all freedom camping, this is the closest free campsite to the city.
Thirty minutes south of Queenstown, along the shores of Lake Wakatipu lies this magnificent spot. As daylight breaks, the morning fog slowly lifts off the lake and you can see Queenstown and the surrounding mountains in the distance.
Trees cover the sloped grassy parking areas starting lakeside and going up the hill 100m – enough space for 30-40 campers. After a rainfall, the camping area is very muddy and campers can easily get stuck: we assisted a couple of folks in getting out.
Details
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Organisation |
Queenstown Lakes District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Kingston |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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4.5/5
Only free camping in the area halfway between Queenstown and Te Anau so it gets very quick very crowded.
Make sure you arrive early for a nice spot on the lake. The campground offer an awesome view on the lake and the mountains. There are only 2 long drop toilets so considering how many people camp there, it gets quickly very smelly but it's clean and there is enough toilet paper. Fine for a quick stop on the way to either of the towns. Actually had a night there both ways.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(212,18,29)" /><path d="m 150 661 Q 298 2 -361 150 Q 298 298 150 -361 Q 2 298 661 150 Q 2 2 150 661 z" fill="rgb(61,2,53)" /><path d="m 150 316 Q 182 118 -16 150 Q 182 182 150 -16 Q 118 182 316 150 Q 118 118 150 316 z" fill="rgb(194,253,202)" /><path d="m 150 133 Q 144 156 167 150 Q 144 144 150 167 Q 156 144 133 150 Q 156 156 150 133 z" fill="rgb(43,237,226)" /></svg>)
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3.0/5
Whilst this campsite could probably be very nice our stay was not the best.
It's a big site nicely located next to the water however it was extremely busy when we visited mid-week and we struggled to find a relatively flat spot. If we weren't so lucky we would have been sleeping on a big slope like many others.
The toilets appeared clean however the smell was absolutely the worst we have dealt with over months of travel. I unfortunately caught a glimpse and they were full to the top! Disgusting!
These were our only issues however and we may just have gotten unlucky on our visit.
O![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(124,161,9)" /><path d="m 150 682 Q 203 97 -382 150 Q 203 203 150 -382 Q 97 203 682 150 Q 97 97 150 682 z" fill="rgb(1,135,184)" /><path d="m 150 436 Q 73 227 -136 150 Q 73 73 150 -136 Q 227 73 436 150 Q 227 227 150 436 z" fill="rgb(254,120,71)" /><path d="m 150 289 Q 70 230 11 150 Q 70 70 150 11 Q 230 70 289 150 Q 230 230 150 289 z" fill="rgb(131,94,246)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Very beautiful place, the lake is magnificent.
The campsite is large and there are many trees and birds. Toilets available
MS![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(184,0,124)" /><path d="m 150 625 Q 65 235 -325 150 Q 65 65 150 -325 Q 235 65 625 150 Q 235 235 150 625 z" fill="rgb(152,126,105)" /><path d="m 150 513 Q 198 102 -213 150 Q 198 198 150 -213 Q 102 198 513 150 Q 102 102 150 513 z" fill="rgb(103,129,150)" /><path d="m 150 322 Q 273 27 -22 150 Q 273 273 150 -22 Q 27 273 322 150 Q 27 27 150 322 z" fill="rgb(71,255,131)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
It’s very muddy and slippery at this time of year.
Be careful many van got stuck. The freecamp down the road has two dry sites as a substitute with rubbish and internet connectivity.
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5.0/5
Fantastic free camp!
Thanks Kingston! We were able to get close to where the beach starts, but goodness, we witnessed 3 folks get bogged, locals and tourists. Don't arrive when it's dark, especially in winter, if it's going to get cold over night, don't go down the wee slopes, get out of your vehicle and have a look where you're going first. Big-rigs might struggle in here, however our friends towing a 24ft caravan did manage to fit and stay! Toilets and bins provided. Self-contained only, although there were a couple in tents. Keep it clean! Keep it free! @tasmantravels
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3.5/5
Beautiful view of lake and semi even ground.
Lots of space to park up and can enter any time. Toilets stink and are a hole under the seat so be prepared.
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5.0/5
This is such a beautiful campsite.
There has always been enough space, there are trash bins and toilets (athough we didn't use the toilets). Such a lovely sleep at the sound of waves breaking at the shore.
We stayed here two times; before our way to Milford sound and again on after Milford sound.
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4.5/5
Beautiful spot, the views we're amazing!
A lot of spaces, but not very flat.
Clean toilets!
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4.5/5
Great site right on the lake front with lovely views and beach access.
Toilet is clean, well supplied with hand gel. Natural toilet so no water or flush although did not smell and well maintained and modern.
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4.0/5
Beautiful spot by the lake.
Toilets on site. Plenty of space and pretty busy in the summer.
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5.0/5
Supernice location.
Fresh toilets. Lots of spots, the ones closest to the lake were around 10-15 so be there early. Blue and cold water.. :)
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4.5/5
Loved this spot.
Amazing views of the lakes and mountain. Good for a swim. Peaceful. Would be a 10, but some of the worst long drop toilets we experienced.
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5.0/5
Brilliant spot nearby the lake, and...
One of the few available spot near Queenstown so very much appreciated.
Good toilet.
The ground was a bit uneven so a bit challenging a night to know where you go. Lots of spots.
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5.0/5
Great place for a free overnight stop.
Nice views of the lake and several flat spots to park. Road is close but the noise didn't seem to bad. Several other vans around but plenty of room for everyone.
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5.0/5
We stayed 2 nights here.
On the way to Milford Sound and back. It snowed on all the surrounding mountains. Amazing views. Basic toilet and plenty of bins around. No water.
Need to come early for a better spot as this is the closest free site to Queenstown.
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4.0/5
Nice little spot.
Stunning scenery. Best to come a bit earlier to get flat areas. In saying that, we stayed in July and there were plenty of 'nearly' flat areas. The pebble beach is a nice walk with small boulders that I assume were once smoothed by glacier ice. Toilets are nice and new but are long-drop so expect the smell. Clearly not a current update for how full it was. It was nowhere near as full as the app said!
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4.5/5
Only free camping in the area halfway between Queenstown and Te Anau so it gets very quick very crowded.
Make sure you arrive early for a nice spot on the lake. The campground offer an awesome view on the lake and the mountains. There are only 2 long drop toilets so considering how many people camp there, it gets quickly very smelly but it's clean and there is enough toilet paper. Fine for a quick stop on the way to either of the towns. Actually had a night there both ways.
M -
5.0/5
Very beautiful place, the lake is magnificent.
The campsite is large and there are many trees and birds. Toilets available
MS -
3.0/5
Whilst this campsite could probably be very nice our stay was not the best.
It's a big site nicely located next to the water however it was extremely busy when we visited mid-week and we struggled to find a relatively flat spot. If we weren't so lucky we would have been sleeping on a big slope like many others.
The toilets appeared clean however the smell was absolutely the worst we have dealt with over months of travel. I unfortunately caught a glimpse and they were full to the top! Disgusting!
These were our only issues however and we may just have gotten unlucky on our visit.
O -
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5.0/5
It’s very muddy and slippery at this time of year.
Be careful many van got stuck. The freecamp down the road has two dry sites as a substitute with rubbish and internet connectivity.
G -
5.0/5
Fantastic free camp!
Thanks Kingston! We were able to get close to where the beach starts, but goodness, we witnessed 3 folks get bogged, locals and tourists. Don't arrive when it's dark, especially in winter, if it's going to get cold over night, don't go down the wee slopes, get out of your vehicle and have a look where you're going first. Big-rigs might struggle in here, however our friends towing a 24ft caravan did manage to fit and stay! Toilets and bins provided. Self-contained only, although there were a couple in tents. Keep it clean! Keep it free! @tasmantravels
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3.5/5
Beautiful view of lake and semi even ground.
Lots of space to park up and can enter any time. Toilets stink and are a hole under the seat so be prepared.
H -
5.0/5
This is such a beautiful campsite.
There has always been enough space, there are trash bins and toilets (athough we didn't use the toilets). Such a lovely sleep at the sound of waves breaking at the shore.
We stayed here two times; before our way to Milford sound and again on after Milford sound.
s -
4.5/5
Beautiful spot, the views we're amazing!
A lot of spaces, but not very flat.
Clean toilets!
A -
4.5/5
Great site right on the lake front with lovely views and beach access.
Toilet is clean, well supplied with hand gel. Natural toilet so no water or flush although did not smell and well maintained and modern.
L -
4.0/5
Beautiful spot by the lake.
Toilets on site. Plenty of space and pretty busy in the summer.
L -
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5.0/5
Supernice location.
Fresh toilets. Lots of spots, the ones closest to the lake were around 10-15 so be there early. Blue and cold water.. :)
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5.0/5
Brilliant spot nearby the lake, and...
One of the few available spot near Queenstown so very much appreciated.
Good toilet.
The ground was a bit uneven so a bit challenging a night to know where you go. Lots of spots.
C -
4.5/5
Loved this spot.
Amazing views of the lakes and mountain. Good for a swim. Peaceful. Would be a 10, but some of the worst long drop toilets we experienced.
C -
5.0/5
Great place for a free overnight stop.
Nice views of the lake and several flat spots to park. Road is close but the noise didn't seem to bad. Several other vans around but plenty of room for everyone.
S -
5.0/5
We stayed 2 nights here.
On the way to Milford Sound and back. It snowed on all the surrounding mountains. Amazing views. Basic toilet and plenty of bins around. No water.
Need to come early for a better spot as this is the closest free site to Queenstown.
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4.0/5
Nice little spot.
Stunning scenery. Best to come a bit earlier to get flat areas. In saying that, we stayed in July and there were plenty of 'nearly' flat areas. The pebble beach is a nice walk with small boulders that I assume were once smoothed by glacier ice. Toilets are nice and new but are long-drop so expect the smell. Clearly not a current update for how full it was. It was nowhere near as full as the app said!
G -
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4.0/5
Nice place on a hillside right beside the lake and only about half an hour from Queenstown.
I came late and left early though, so didn't really get to experience the gorgeous views until driving back through this area a few days later. The toilets I used were pretty rank though. Drop toilets, so smelly as usual, but these ones were also teeming with sandflies. Having said that, I'd still recommend this place if you're on a budget.
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