Kingston on Lake Whakatipu

Kingston is located at the southern tip of Lake Whakatipu, between the Eyre Mountains and the Hector Mountains. If you’re looking for hotels in Kingston, the activities you have planned can help you decide whether the town is right for your stay: there are walking trails, lakeside spots, cycling routes and historic train rides to choose from.

Location and Getting There

From central Queenstown, you can reach Kingston via State Highway 6 in about 45 minutes. Travel time may vary depending on road conditions. Kingston therefore combines a clearly described road journey with a destination whose offerings are centred mainly around Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding landscape.

Walking on Two Different Tracks

The Shirt Tail Track starts at the Te Kere Haka Reserve car park in the Kingston area. Check track conditions before setting out on a walk.

The Te Kere Haka Track offers a different time commitment: this easy lakeside track is suitable for a walk of about an hour, with views of Lake Whakatipu and the Hector Mountains. The first 30 minutes are within the boundary of Te Kere Haka Reserve. The route includes stream crossings; it can be wet and muddy in places, especially after rain. The reference to the first 30 minutes applies to the section within the reserve, while the approximately one-hour duration refers to the walk.

Cycling Route: First Section and Full Route

The Around the Mountain Cycle Way runs for 186 kilometres from Kingston to Walter Peak. The first section, a 30-kilometre ride from Kingston towards Athol, is described as an easy cycling route. The two figures refer to different route lengths: 30 kilometres is the first section, while 186 kilometres is the full route. If you’re planning to cycle, check the trail surface and maintenance, as these may change.

Activities by the Lake

At Kingston Beach, picnic tables by the lake sit beside a sandy beach. Visitors can swim there on the shores of Lake Whakatipu. In summer, Kingston offers access to water sports on the lake; check locally which boating and safety conditions apply. Water conditions should also be taken into account when swimming.

Fishing on Lake Whakatipu is available from Kingston. The boat ramp in Kingston gives anglers with a fishing licence access to the lake for this purpose. Check fishing regulations and licence conditions separately. This makes it easier to distinguish the different conditions for swimming, water sports and fishing when planning.

Rural Experiences and Golf

The A Real Farm Show Experience on Kingston–Garston Highway includes a sheepdog herding demonstration. The Real Country Group Experience on Kingston–Garston Highway, by contrast, is a private group experience. Activities include clay target shooting, archery, air rifle target shooting and whip cracking. For this group experience, check group requirements and booking conditions before you arrive; booking conditions for the farm show should also be confirmed in advance.

In Kingston, the Kingston Golf Club offers the opportunity to play a round on a nine-hole course. Mountains and forest surround the course, while small streams and clusters of pine trees serve as natural hazards. The course description helps distinguish this offering from the walking and lakeside activities. Check operating conditions with the club before visiting.

Kingston Flyer and Transport History

The historic Kingston Flyer offers a scenic steam train ride from Kingston to Fairlight. Public train rides depart from Kingston, with the return journey leaving from Fairlight Railway Station. The privately owned, gently graded rail corridor is 14 kilometres long, or 28 kilometres for the return trip. The Kingston Flyer also offers rides in fully restored, 100-year-old wooden carriages. Seasonal timetable details may change; check times before your trip.

Kingston was once an important transport link between the Whakatipu goldfields and the ports of Dunedin and Invercargill. The town’s historical significance and today’s steam train ride offer two different perspectives on transport in the region: the former link for freight and passenger traffic, and today’s experience on the railway.

Discover more destinations: Closeburn, Mount Nicholas, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Makarora, Arthurs Point, Wanaka, Gibbston.

For the main travel overview: Queenstown Lakes District.