Kingston between lake, mountains and steam train

Kingston lies at the southern tip of Lake Whakatipu, between the Eyre Mountains and the Tararua Range. The lakeshore, walking tracks and a historic steam train give the town its different facets: a day might take you to the water, on a stroll or on a longer cycling leg.

Walking tracks with different conditions

The Shirt Tail Track starts at the Te Kere Haka Reserve car park in the Kingston area. It follows Shirt Tail Stream to the bushline and offers views of Lake Whakatipu and Kingston. Along the way, the track passes through red beech forest and subalpine scrub. It is well marked as far as the waterfall; beyond that, it becomes very steep, is unmarked and is not maintained. Check track conditions before your walk and take this significant change into account in your planning.

The Te Kere Haka Track offers a different kind of outing: this easy track follows the lakeshore and is suitable for a roughly one-hour walk 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; after rain, some sections can be wet and muddy. This gives you two clearly different options for your schedule: a longer walk to the bushline or a shorter lakeside walk.

Kingston is also a starting point for cyclists: the Around the Mountain Cycle Way runs for 186 kilometres to Walter Peak. The first 30-kilometre section from Kingston towards Athol is described as an easy ride. This rating applies to that section; the surface and maintenance may vary.

Lakeshore, water and time outdoors

At Kingston Beach, picnic tables sit beside a sandy beach on the lakeshore. Visitors can also swim in Lake Whakatipu from the shore; check the water conditions locally. In summer, Kingston offers access to watersports on the lake, without specifying particular activities. Fishing in Lake Whakatipu is also available as a recreational activity. At the boat ramp, anglers need a fishing licence. Check the applicable fishing rules and licence requirements separately.

For another land-based activity, Kingston Golf Club has a nine-hole course surrounded by mountains and forest. Small streams and groups of pine trees provide natural obstacles. The club offers the opportunity to play a round of golf in Kingston; check current operating conditions and access with the club in advance.

Steam train and rural experiences

The historic Kingston Flyer combines a scenic steam train ride from Kingston to Fairlight with a private, gently graded rail corridor. The route is 14 kilometres long, with the round trip listed as 28 kilometres. The Flyer offers rides in fully restored, 100-year-old wooden carriages. Public train rides depart from Kingston and return from Fairlight Railway Station. As seasonal timetables may change, it is advisable to check train times in advance.

On the Kingston–Garston Highway, A Real Farm Show Experience includes a demonstration of sheep mustering with dogs. The Real Country Group Experience, by contrast, is specifically a private group experience: it includes clay target shooting, archery, air rifle target shooting and whip cracking. For both experiences, check booking conditions before travelling; for the group experience, group requirements are also important.

Kingston’s role as a transport link

Kingston was once an important link between the Whakatipu goldfields and the ports of Dunedin and Invercargill. The historic railway reflects this former transport significance while also offering a different focus from today’s lakeside and walking experiences. The journey there is also worth noting: Kingston is about 45 minutes from central Queenstown via State Highway 6; actual travel time depends on road conditions.

Whether you want to focus your stay on lakeside walks, cycling, golf, the railway or rural experiences, Kingston offers a range of themes to guide your travel planning. Discover more destinations: Queenstown, Speargrass Flat, Cardrona, Arthurs Point, Wanaka, Glenorchy, Dingle Burn, Arrowtown.

For the broader travel overview: Queenstown Lakes District.