![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JUCPJQ_mt_iron_wanaka_png.jpeg\")
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\nThe Queenstown Lakes District Council has taken over management of the public conservation land at Mount Iron from the Department of Conservation.
\nPhoto: Queenstown Lakes District Council\n<\/p>\n
Freedom campers will soon face a $800 fine if they stay in the carpark of a popular W\u0101naka attraction after a recent management change.<\/p>\n
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has taken over management of the public conservation land at Mount Iron from the Department of Conservation.<\/p>\n
This covers the State Highway 84 Mount Iron carpark and about 55 hectares of reserve land – the existing 100-hectare Mount Iron Recreation Reserve was already under council control.<\/p>\n
The change means overnight camping – in tents, campervans or vehicles – will be banned at the site.<\/p>\n
The council said summer ambassadors would advise campers of the change over the coming weeks and signs would be installed before enforcement started.<\/p>\n
The council’s freedom camping bylaw does not apply to reserve land.<\/p>\n
Council parks manager Dave Winterburn said the council’s Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan, which was adopted last April, would now apply to the reserve land.<\/p>\n
“Having all the reserve land at Mount Iron managed by one organisation is a great outcome for the community and will enhance the experience for Mount Iron users long-term,” he said.<\/p>\n
The Department of Conservation said the change formalised what had already been in place since 2024, as the council already managed the site on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n