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- Responsible Camping
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Responsible Camping in the Queenstown Lakes District
Taupuni
Responsible campers share the responsibility of being guardians of this stunning landscape. We hope that you will make the most of our wild playground, and care for it as we do by leaving no trace and help keep our communities and natural environment free from pollution and waste.
Quick links
Be a responsible camper
There are many places you can camp in the Queenstown Lakes District, ranging from fully serviced holiday parks to Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites. Check out our Responsible Camping Brochure which includes tips for minimising waste.
Freedom camping is permitted only if your vehicle is certified self-contained. Learn more about Freedom Camping in the district by reading the FAQs. Read about the new regulations now in place for certifying self-contained vehicles.
Responsible Camping Map 2024-2025
Most council reserves are not permitted for freedom camping and fines may be issued for rule breakers.
Click below to view a map showing council reserve locations (that are prohibited for camping under the Reserves Act), campsites and public facilities across the district.
Freedom camping on other reserves managed by Department of Conservation may be restricted or prohibited. Freedom camping is not permitted anywhere on LINZ land in the Queenstown Lakes region.
Draft Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025
From Tuesday 8 July 2025 we're taking feedback on a draft Freedom Camping Bylaw that addresses responsible camping spaces while protecting our places.
The draft bylaw proposes 15 restricted freedom camping areas on public land, where freedom camping would be allowed but subject to conditions specific to each area.
Head to letstalk.qldc.govt.nz to make an online submission, read the draft bylaw, statement of proposal, and view maps of areas where freedom camping is proposed to be prohibited and restricted.
Campgrounds
There are many places you can camp, ranging from fully serviced holiday parks to DOC (Department of Conservation) campsites.
Visit CamperMate.co.nz or download the free app for full details.
Download the CamperMate App
We've teamed up with CamperMate to ensure all information on the map is correct and up to date for visitors! Download their free app on iOS or Android to find dedicated responsible camping sites and service hubs online.
Help minimise waste while camping
Whether you’re seeing our beautiful mountains and lakes for the first time or after decades of living here, they take your breath away. Our community shares the responsibility of being guardians of this stunning landscape, and we hope that you will make the most of our wild playground and care for it as we do by leaving no trace.
"Help protect our piece of paradise. Be a good guardian."
Putting recycling and rubbish in the right bin is helpful, but we want to change the game. Our Vision Beyond 2050 aspires to eliminate waste in the Queenstown Lakes.
So if you’re out and about in your campervan or you’ve got a tent ready and waiting in the boot of your car, get the thumbs-up from the locals by supporting our zero waste options while you’re here:
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Getting a delicious coffee? Say no to single use take-away cups - sit in, bring your own reusable cup or use a deposit/return system in participating cafes. Local loan cup examples include the Chunky Loan Cup System.
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The Wānaka bag makes a great souvenir and all profits support reduction of single-use plastics. For stockists see plasticfreewanaka.co.nz.
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Wastebusters was voted “top clothing shop” in Wānaka’s Local’s Choice Awards. Salvation Army and Hospice have shops in both Queenstown and Wānaka.
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Local tips are available in the waste-free shopping guide at plasticfreewanaka.co.nz or www.therubbishtrip.co.nz.
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You'll find a list of local repairers and upcoming repair events at www.wastebusters.co.nz.
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Some campgrounds have separate food scrap bins or you can drop yours to a local composter using the Sharewaste. Sharewaste connects people who wish to recycle their food scraps and other organics with their neighbours who are already composting, worm-farming, or keep farm animals.
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Put only the right things in the bin so recycling can meet quality standards. Recycling is available at campgrounds, in public recycling bins near the lakefront, at the Wakatipu Recycling Centre in Queenstown and at Wastebusters in Wānaka (a small fee applies). For more information on what can be recycled within our district please visit: How we recycle in the Queenstown Lakes District.
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