Queenstown Lakes is bracing for another busy summer with more than 100,000 visitors expected to visit.
Queenstown, south island, new zealand looking over Lake Wakatipu with the remarkables in the distance. Photo: 123RF
Council chief executive Mike Theelen said it was well-prepared to run smoothly over summer.
"While our population surges dramatically for a few weeks over the summer, we're well-resourced to cope with all the extra people we're expecting," Mr Theelen said.
"We do ask that people are welcoming, patient and responsible and to make sure they plan ahead when travelling. Particularly around known pinch points such as petrol stations and town centres. We want to make sure everyone, whether they're residents or visitors, has a great summer break, and we're doing what we can to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible."
The Queenstown Lakes District Council will set up alternative route signage to ease the pressure off Frankton Road between December 17 and January 13 with free overflow parking available at Warren Park.
Queenstown traffic Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
In Wanaka, two ambassadors will be at the waterfront to direct campers and other motorists to the right locations with an additional warden in the town and overflow parking available at the showgrounds.
Responsible Camping Ambassadors will also be at camping and service hubs or around the district to educate campers about responsible camping and direct them to the right camping sites.
The liquor ban in central Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown, central Wanaka and Hāwea has been extended to 8pm and a 24 hour ban will be running from 27 December until 6 January.
Anyone caught drinking will likely be fined $250.
Additional public bin collections are underway to keep up with the demand in Queenstown, Wanaka, Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Kingston.
The district's streets have received an additional tidy with industrial vacuum, the Glutton, being put to use in Arrowtown.
Additional staff will be keeping the town centre public toilets clean in Arrowtown, Queenstown and Wanaka while portaloos will be installed at Glenorchy waterfront, Roy's Bay, Penrith Beach in Wanaka and along Marine Parade.
For those taking to lakes and rivers, the council said lifejackets must be worn in any vessels six metres and under, including paddleboards.
