10 Good Reasons to stay in Kingston

1.  A base for exploring the Southern Lakes.  You can enjoy all that Queenstown   and the southern lakes area has to offer without paying Queenstown prices.  There are many places that you can visit for day trips. Check the driving times on our Location page.  We are booking agents for Real Journeys trips to Milford and Doubtful Sound and trips on the Earnslaw Steam Ship.  We can send you on a Dart River Safari.  And, as locals, we can give advice on activities that are not expensive, or a bit unusual.



2. Chill Out! The developers haven’t found us yet so come and experience the southern lakes as they used to be.  Can you live without shopping malls, expensive foreign-made souvenirs, contrived ‘tourist experiences’ for a few days? Yes! Then this is the place for you! Here you’ll find beautiful Lake Wakatipu edged by the reserve, over a km of accessible shingle beach, trees, mountains, walking tracks, incredibly starry night skies, birds and friendly locals. There’s a couple of playgrounds for the kids, a tiny library that was once a one-room school room, places to eat, places to photograph.



3. Count the Cribs  Kingston is small unspoiled town on the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu where kiwi’s still come for their holidays and you’ll find more kiwi’s than tourists. Check out the family ‘crib’ (South Island word for holiday home), home-made and quirky and which has been in the family for many generations. You can’t build like this now so walk around and take some photos while they’re still there.



4. The Kingston Flyer steam train    A great attraction and a little bit of history.



5. Dining Out You can eat great food in Kingston, either at the Tavern or at the Corner Café which is opposite Kingston Motels and Holiday Park – dine in or takeaways – but you won’t pay a fortune.   Or you can use a free BBQ in the Holiday Park and there’s a couple of BBQs on the reserve so you can enjoy the lake while you eat. Or take a picnic to the beach.



6. Walking Tracks There are walking tracks that begin in Kingston and we provide maps.  Or, you can explore the remote and little known Eyre Mountains Ta Ra Huka Conservation Park  which is a short drive from Kingston and suitable for walking and mountain bikes.  If you want to experience hiking on a privately owned working farm (guided or freedom walking), we recommend High Country Walks and we can book this for you.  If you want to join the locals on their weekly hike, check out the Wakatipu Walkers



7. Fishing   There are salmon and brown trout in Lake Wakatipu, and we’re a short drive from the Mataura River, one of the South Island’s best fishing rivers.  You’ll need a licence and we can organize this. Stu’s World Famous Fly Fishing Shop    is just down the road from us. Check out the fishing gear and ask about the best places to fish.



8. Golf/Tennis  There’s a nine hole golf course in Kingston, and we hire golf equipment. The locals meet every Saturday and you’re welcome to join them.  The tennis courts are next to the Holiday Park and you can borrow equipment from us.



9. Summer/Winter Events  There’s a lot going on in the summer and when you stay with us, we keep you informed.  The Community Association runs a summer programme during December/January and visitors (especially kids) are welcome to join in.  Don’t miss the famous Kingstock, Kingston’s answer to Woodstock, a day of music and fun. If you’re a gardener, check the programme of the Kingston Garden Group  Visitors are welcome to join us for a glass of wine and a tour of a local garden (no charge).  And, Kingston Motels & Holiday Park sponsors the Beach Sculpture Competition with lots of prizes and a chance to be creative with driftwood and flax.   And winter?  We’re a 25 minute drive from the entrance to the Remarkables Ski Fields and a great place to base for winter-time fun in the Southern Lakes area.



10. Kingston Motels & Holiday Park  Check our Facebook  page to find out what’s happening right now. We’re independent and family run so you’ll find that we’re a little bit different from the regular holiday park. We’re planting a woodland park, edible gardens (pick some herbs) and renovating the old-style cabins so that we retain the traditional holiday park atmosphere that’s appreciated by our overseas guests and fondly remembered by the locals.  But, our facilities are modern and our service is friendly, efficient and helpful.  And, if you want a little bit of luxury, stay in one of our four-star motel units.  We’ve got something for everyone. Welcome!