Parking
Start at the McChesney Road/Moonlight Track trailhead in Arthur's Point only where legally permitted, and arrange transport from the Moke Lake campsite. The Moke Lake access road is gravel.
Overview
About Moonlight Track
Moonlight Track is a one-way, point-to-point route between the McChesney Road trailhead at Arthur's Point and Moke Lake campsite. It follows the historic Moonlight goldfields route through open country, with views toward the Southern Alps and the Shotover River. The full traverse is about 14 km (8.7 miles) one way and usually takes 4–5 hours; it is not a loop, so arrange transport at the far end.
Why go
- Historic gold-mining remains at Sefferstown and the Moke Creek stone school
- Quiet Southern Alps and Shotover River views
- A genuine point-to-point route linking Arthur's Point with Moke Lake
Heads up
- One-way logistics require a pickup or shuttle at Moke Lake
- Rough, muddy and sometimes exposed sections with small stream crossings
- Crosses working private land with gates and livestock; alpine weather changes quickly
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Queenstown-Lakes District map
Full mapElevation478–669 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
1 active Queenstown-Lakes District alert
- ClosureSkippers Bridge closed to all trafficSkippers Bridge is closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians; do not cross.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide
Your drive to Moonlight Track, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Queenstown-Lakes District audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Moonlight Track: A Backcountry Gold Rush RouteListen
“Coming up near Arthur's Point is one end of the Moonlight Track. This is a challenging, point-to-point backcountry hike that links this area with the Ben Lomond Saddle, high above Queenstown.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Oxenbridge Tunnel: A Gold Miner's Failed Gamble
- Edith Cavell Bridge: River Views and a WWI Tribute
- Hamilton Jet: The Kiwi Speedboat Invention
- Queenstown Hill: A Rewarding Local's Hike
- 164 audio storiesacross Queenstown-Lakes District’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Kākā, Kererū, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 37 trails, 111 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Moonlight Track
RouteFrom the Arthur's Point trailhead, follow Moonlight Track through the Ben Lomond Station…
From the Arthur's Point trailhead, follow Moonlight Track through the Ben Lomond Station country toward Moke Lake, passing the Sefferstown gold-mining remains and the Moke Creek stone school site. The researched route finishes at the Moke Lake campsite access. Do not substitute the Ben Lomond Track from Queenstown, the Ben Lomond summit or saddle, the Moke Lake Loop, or the Lake Dispute track: those are different routes or optional connections.
Trail experienceExpect a long, quiet traverse on a mix of formed track, gravel/farm road and rougher path, with…
Expect a long, quiet traverse on a mix of formed track, gravel/farm road and rougher path, with muddy sections and small stream crossings possible. The route crosses private working land, so stay on the marked line, leave gates as found and keep clear of stock. Alpine weather can change quickly; carry navigation, food, water, sun protection and warm layers. Cell coverage is not continuous.
Logistics and accessThe route is point-to-point.
The route is point-to-point. Start at the McChesney Road/Moonlight Track trailhead in Arthur's Point and arrange a pickup or shuttle from Moke Lake campsite. The Moke Lake access road is gravel. Dogs are not assumed to be permitted across the whole route or at the campsite; check current land-manager and station rules before setting out.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Queenstown-Lakes District
189 sightingsKeaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
18 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
195 sightingsKererūMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
48 sightingsWekaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
239 sightingsTūīMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
97 sightingsBellbirdMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Queenstown-Lakes District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
