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Queenstown Lakes District Council has confirmed its Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025 will come into effect today, Monday, December 1, introducing clearer rules and support measures for campers ahead of the busy summer tourism season.
QLDC community services general manager Ken Bailey says the bylaw aims to balance community concerns with the needs of visitors, while ensuring compliance with the Freedom Camping Act.
“This new bylaw strengthens our ability to manage freedom camping activities across the district to ensure areas remain safe, protected and accessible to everyone,” Ken says.
“Having a bylaw in place over summer, along with a team of ambassadors to help visitors understand and comply with the new rules, is key to ensuring visitors continue to enjoy the freedom camping experience responsibly with respect for our communities and our environment.”
Under the bylaw, freedom camping is prohibited in urban areas, meaning camping is not permitted in on-road parking spaces. Certified self-contained vehicles may camp in 15 designated carpark sites across the district, with 141 spaces available, provided site conditions are followed. Certified self-contained vehicles may also camp on rural roads such as off-road laybys, subject to additional distance and safety requirements.
Further restrictions apply to reserves and private land. Most council reserves are prohibited for camping under the Reserves Act, although freedom camping will continue at Luggate Red Bridge Reserve in line with onsite signage. The bylaw does not regulate camping on private roads or private property.
From December, QLDC’s summer ambassadors will visit camping locations to share information on the new rules, promote serviced holiday parks and Department of Conservation campsites, and encourage visiting campers to make the Tiaki Promise. Information campaigns will run throughout the 2025/26 summer season.
Visitors will be able to use the Responsible Camping Map to check rules for specific locations. New signage includes QR codes enabling campers to check in to designated spaces, with an online dashboard showing site availability to assist with planning.
“We know most of our visitors want to do the right thing and will camp with care. In saying this, we acknowledge the concerns raised through community feedback, and we want to reassure residents that we’ll be monitoring sites, acting on poor behaviour and using enforcement when necessary,” Ken says.
Urgent issues can be reported 24/7 on: 03 441 0499 (Queenstown) and: 03 443 0024 (Wānaka). Non-urgent matters can be sent to [email protected] or lodged via the Snap Send Solve app.
