Campervan operators are working to educate tourists and seeking consistent camping regulations as much as possible, say campervan and car hire company Jucy Rentals.
Jucy Group managing director Dan Alpe said as founding member of the Freedom Camping Forum of New Zealand, it supplied information to visitors before and after they arrive.
Promoting responsible freedom camping was at the top of its list.
"We give them as much information as we can around where you can and can't freedom camp, we have deals with the camp grounds through family parks and promote them in certain areas as well, so it's pushing the word of what is and isn't acceptable," Mr Alpe said.
The forum was set up by operators and the Tourism Industry Association in New Zealand to work with councils.
"With the freedom camping side of things, we've been quite vocal in trying to get some standardised ruling around how it's policed, what the rules and regulations are, and then basically try to educate our customers as much as we can."
Mr Alpe said he did not have an issue with the bylaw if it was policed and consistent.
The newest option in Queenstown, for sleepervans with showers and toilets, is the Q motorhome park. which opened at Christmas.
Q co-owner Peter Crowe said while they had the occasional tent stay, they were very much focused on motorhomes and the smaller sleepervans. The 50-site park had been running at 60% occupancy, and while it was still a matter of people knowing Q was there, the availability of camping sites in Queenstown was a problem.
"There's times that I see the One Mile car park and the library car park are pretty appalling. I agree that there is a huge problem with freedom campers, but there is also a problem that there are not many places offered at the right price.
"Queenstown has an awful lot of campervans coming through and that's going to increase, and with the Kawarau Falls ground closed down we just saw an opportunity in the market, and we are targeting these smaller vans," Mr Crowe said.
Mr Alpe agreed there were problems with camping grounds being booked out, especially in Coromandel and Central Otago area.
