As of today (Monday December 1) the district finally has a bylaw in place to manage freedom camping, and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says it will monitor sites and enforce breaches.

The much debated Freedom Camping Bylaw aims to balance community concerns about freedom camping while staying within the requirements of the Freedom Camping Act, QLDC community services general manager Ken Bailey said.

“This new bylaw strengthens our ability to manage freedom camping activities across the district to ensure areas remain safe, protected and accessible to everyone,” he said.

Read more: New QLDC freedom camping bylaw aims to balance complex issues

Freedom camping is prohibited in urban areas, but is permitted for certified self-contained vehicles on rural roads such as off-road laybys - subject to some conditions.

The bylaw also allows for freedom camping (in certified self-contained vehicles) in 15 designated carpark sites across the district - a total of 141 spaces. 

In the Upper Clutha these sites are the Wānaka Recreation Centre carpark (18 designated spaces), Beacon Point Road Carpark (three designated spaces), Allenby Place carpark (three designated spaces), and the Camp Hill Road carpark by the Hāwea River (10 designated spaces).

Campers who use these sites must use a certified self-contained motor vehicle, follow specific time rules, stay no more than two nights in a 30 day period, remove all waste, and not light fires.

Freedom camping is prohibited in urban areas - apart from four sites in the Upper Clutha.

Ken acknowledged concerns raised through community feedback.

“[W]e’d like to reassure residents that we’ll be monitoring sites, acting on poor behaviour and using enforcement when necessary,” he said.

Fines for breaching the Freedom Camping Bylaw or the Freedom Camping Act start at $400.

Ken said council’s summer ambassadors will be visiting freedom camping spots across the district from this month to share information on the new rules and how to camp sustainably. 

They’ll also be promoting local serviced holiday parks and Department of Conservation campsites and encouraging campers to make the Tiaki promise to care for Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Ken said urgent freedom camping issues can be phoned into the council 24/7 on 03 443 0024, and less urgent issues can be reported to [email protected] or via the Snap Send Solve app.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App