Moke Lake Explained

Moke Lake
Pushpin Map:New Zealand Otago peninsula
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of Moke Lake
Basin Countries:New Zealand

Moke Lake is a small lake near the suburb of Closeburn in Queenstown, in the South Island of New Zealand.

Names

Ngāi Tahu call the lakes Punamāhaka and Waikāmāhaka. Both mean “twin waters”, describing the peculiar shape of the lake.[1]

Moke Lake and Moke Creek were named after an old mule on a farm there.[1]

Description

The lake is a popular recreation spot, especially during summer. Popular activities there include boating, camping, horseback riding, and swimming. The boat speed on the lake is limited to 5 km/h.[2]

A track encircles the lake which also links up with Lake Dispute. Additionally, the Moonlight Track connects up with Arthurs Point.

The dirt access road which heads inland from the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road passes by the nearby, smaller Lake Kirkpatrick.

The Department of Conservation campsite and parking area is at the far end of the lake.

In popular culture

In the 2013 BBC miniseries Top of the Lake, the scenes in the women's commune were filmed at Moke Lake.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Atlas — Cultural Mapping Project — Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu . www.kahurumanu.co.nz . 18 October 2022.
  2. Web site: Moke Lake campsite. Campsites by region. Department of Conservation. December 2, 2013.
  3. Web site: Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake interview . Vulture . January 25, 2013 . August 31, 2014 .