Campers Congregate in Fiordland

Media release

14 May 2013

Campers Congregate in Fiordland

Record numbers of both local and international visitors have been using Department of Conservation campsites in Fiordland this summer.

Comparing this year to last, there were five to six thousand more individuals staying in Department of Conservation camp sites. An increase in visitor numbers has kept DOC staff busy managing the facilities, said DOC ranger Ren Leppens. This summer a total of 30,500 campers were recorded in DOC run campsites in Fiordland.

This season an upgrade to the DOC campsite at Henry Creek made more sites and facilities available for campervans and tents. Privately run campgrounds in Te Anau as well as DOC’s Henry’s Creek campsite proved very popular for those wanting to stay close to Te Anau, especially with the closure of Queens Reach as an overnight campsite.

On top of usual duties, January’s spectacular weather events added to the busy season. Mr Leppens said, “at one point, Deer Flat campsite had the Eglinton River running through it”. The same weather event threw trees across the road to Lake Gunn camp, closing it for several weeks. Despite these patches of bad weather it was a great summer overall, with many people out exploring Fiordland National Park and enjoying public Conservation Land, said Mr Leppens.

Rockfall hazard around the Homer Tunnel increased the frequency of Milford Road closures. Rangers found visitors whose plans changed last minute often stayed at campsites along the Milford highway while waiting for the tunnel to re-open.

Mavora Lakes, a popular summer camping destination, had a typically busy season. Some inconsiderate motorbike use affected other users, but was the only incident reported this season.

–Ends–

Background information

• The 2012-13 season saw a total of 30,500 individual campers and 15,200 campervans stay at campsites managed by DOC Te Anau. Approximately 24,000 people stayed at campsites along the Milford road, and approximately 6,500 people stayed at Mavora.

• The 2011-12 season, for comparison, had approximately 25,000 people and 12,500 campervans staying in DOC managed campsites with around 19,000 to 20,000 people staying at campsites along the Milford Road and approximately 6,000 people stayed at Mavora.

• In addition to the two Te Anau basin rangers, DOC also employs three seasonal rangers to service Mavora and the Milford Road.

• There are ten DOC campsites along the Milford Road.

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