Holiday alert: Please note that kerbside collections between 25-27 December and 1-3 January will be pushed out a day (even recyclers need a holiday). For more on Rubbish & Recycling in our district, see our dedicated webpage.

Council offices will close at midday Wednesday 24 December 2025 and reopen 8.00am Monday 5 January 2026. For urgent issues, call us on 03 441 0499 (Queenstown) or 03 443 0024 (Wānaka). For non-urgent issues, please us the Snap Send Solve App. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Summer 101 - Alcohol Restrictions

Planning a picnic or a few drinks down at the lake or river this summer?  Make sure you know where alcohol restrictions apply.

Christmas and New Year Alcohol-Free Areas

The Alcohol-Free Areas in Public Places Bylaw supports a family-friendly environment by reducing the potential for alcohol related offensive behaviour in our district.

Alcohol-free restrictions apply from 6.00am on 25 December through to 6.00am on 6 January the following year in Queenstown and Wānaka. 
  
Alcohol-free areas are also in place from 6.00pm on 26 December to 6.00am on 6 January the following year in locations throughout Arrowtown, Frankton and Lake Hāwea. 
 
Check before you go – all the affected locations can be found on the maps below.  

Look after each other, drink responsibly, and have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 


Look after each other

If you're out and about enjoying a few drinks this festive season, please look out for your mates, drink responsibly and always drive sober.