4 Awesome Places to Stay in Kinloch, Otago

If you’re exploring the South Island of New Zealand, spending a few nights in Kinloch should be on your bucket list. It’s a great place to hike and get out in nature (this is where the famous Routeburn Track starts), and these accommodations in Kinloch will be perfect for your stay!

Kinloch is a quiet little spot on the most northern bay of Lake Wakatipu, around 20 minutes from Glenorchy, and a great place to stay if you want to go hike a section of the Routeburn or Greenstone – or if you just want to enjoy some downtime in nature.

We’ve been to Kinloch a few times now and we love the change of pace there. We always go swimming in Lake Wakatipu (that fresh water will wake you right up), and you can also rent a kayak or canoe and go out and explore the lake if you want!

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4 Accommodations in Kinloch, New Zealand

In this post, you’ll find our suggested list of accommodations in Kinloch, Otago for your stay. Three of these hotels, hostels, and campsites are located right in the “town” called Kinloch (not to be confused with the Kinloch on the North Island by Lake Taupō) and the last option is located in Glenorchy, 20 minutes away!

Actually, Kinloch isn’t even really a town – more like a few buildings and basically the gateway into some incredible hiking in the mountains over here! Kinloch is a little gem on the north side of Lake Wakatipu.

The nearest town with cafes, restaurants, and hotels is Glenorchy which you will pass by on your way to Kinloch! But if you’re looking to escape the busyness of Queenstown into a more quiet part of New Zealand then this is the perfect place.

In the past few years, the prices in New Zealand have increased quite a bit, so we highly recommend you book your accommodation in advance to get the best possible price. Some places of accommodation also book out very quickly (like 3-6 months in advance).

We actually met a lady here in Kinloch during our most recent stay who only came to Kinloch because it was the only available place of accommodation she could find during the Lunar New Year (a lot of tourists from Asia visit NZ around this time). So another tip for you is to try to avoid peak season if you’re looking to save a bit of money!

Of course, there are going to be options, and there are also some great campsites along the way. We’ll talk about this a bit further down this post, but if you’re looking for campsites, having the DOC Campsite Pass can save you a lot of money as well (it’s $195 a year and makes a lot of campsites “free”).

Anyways! Avoid peak season if possible (January – February) and book early to make sure you get the place of accommodation you want for your stay and to get the best possible rate. Now, let’s get into the best places you can stay in Kinloch!

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This is one of the most beautiful accommodations you’ll find in all of New Zealand. EcoScapes is one of the newest additions to the Kinloch Wilderness Retreat and is the most modern unique accommodation you can find in the area.

EcoScapes offers you a full view of the beautiful Dart River (which connects to Lake Wakatipu) and the mountains behind it. You can also roll down the curtain and use the full-screen projector to watch a movie!

From hiking the Lake Rere Loop Track to watching movies at night on the projector, it’s the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to get out in nature and just enjoy the peacefulness that Kinloch and EcoScape offer.

It’s a really special place and this is hands down the most incredible accommodation in Kinloch and perfect for a couples getaway or if you’re looking to just get out in nature away from the crowds.

At the Kinloch Wilderness Retreat (which also owns EcoScapes), you have a wide variety of room options. This is amazing because it makes it affordable for backpackers who want to stay in the bunk rooms while also having options for couples and friends who want a bit more privacy.

Kinloch Wilderness Retreat basically has two sections: The Wilderness Area (backpackers) and the Heritage Lodge which is a more boutique hotel-style stay. The buildings are all on the same property, and those staying at the Heritage Lodge also have access to the backpacker facilities – but the backpackers do not have access to the Heritage Lodge facilities.

Based on the type of stay you’re looking for and your budget, you can take a look at the bunk rooms here and the private rooms here. As we mentioned, each has its own communal space to hang out and relax. Everyone also has access to the beautiful restaurant located on the edge of the property as well as the hot tub up behind with the most incredible view!

We’ve spent multiple nights here in Kinloch on different occasions and we always have the absolute best time. You have everything you need here for a little getaway and the Wilderness Retreat does their best to make sure your stay is great!

This is by far the most affordable way to stay in Kinloch – especially if you have already purchased the DOC Campsite Pass (an amazing pass to buy if you plan on camping a lot). 

This campsite is riverfront and you have one of the most amazing views from the north side of Lake Wakatipu where Dart River meets the lake. For this specific campsite, you need to book it in advance (especially if you’re coming during the summer months) because there are only 15 non-powered tent spots available.

If you’re camping around New Zealand and exploring near Queenstown, you should definitely make an attempt to come stay at Kinloch for a few nights. There are so many amazing hikes in the area and it’s such a beautiful pocket of New Zealand worth exploring!

As we mentioned earlier, Glenorchy is the main town that you will drive through on your way to Kinloch. This cute little town has everything from a golf course to cute coffee shops and the famous Glenorchy Wharf Shed.

The Glenorchy Retreat Apartments are within a 15-minute drive to Kinloch and it’s a great place to stay if you don’t want to be as remote as Kinloch and want shops, restaurants, and cafes around you while still being close to nature.

All the best hikes are within a short drive as well so staying in Glenorchy is a sweet spot to be near all the activities in the area. The apartments are super comfy and it will feel like a home away from home during your stay here! Add the beautiful nature surrounding you and you might never want to leave!

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Recap of the best accommodation in and around Kinloch

As you can see, there aren’t too many accommodation options in Kinloch – but you will still be able to find exactly what you need. From luxurious glamping cabins to boutique hotel stays, backpacker dorms, campsites, and private apartments, you can find a place of accommodation that’s exactly right for you.

Whether you go for the EcoScape or a room at the Kinloch Wilderness Retreat we’re sure you’ll fall in love with this place right next to Paradise. Truly, one of the nearby places is called “Paradise” and you might recognize some of it from the Lord of the Rings Movies.

It’s one of our favourite places near Queenstown because of all the epic hiking you can do and just how quiet it is without too many tourists! We’re sure you’ll have the best time hiking, Lake Wakatipu, and just the pure bliss of nature you get here in Kinloch. 

Please DM us on Instagram or leave a comment below if you have any questions about Kinloch or the surrounding areas. We love sharing our experience and the knowledge we have about this beautiful country, so please ask. And enjoy this amazing little area on the South Island!

📍 Want to know about all the best spots in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Then check out our New Zealand Maps with +200 locations around the country that we have visited during our 8 months of living and travelling in NZ! 🗺️