That was one of the findings when more than 1000 campers at popular freedom camping spots in Central Otago were surveyed during February and March this year.
The survey results were recently presented to the Central Otago District Council and council parks and recreation manager Mathew Begg said the questions replicated those in a survey carried out in 2011.
The survey, which cost $5500, was carried out ''face to face'' with campers but it was impossible to say how the survey sample related to the total number of campers in the district, he said.
However, it did represent the views and information of more than 1000 visitors.
''The majority of people who were camping in Central Otago were domestic privateers ... typified by people of maturity travelling in large self-contained motorhome-type caravans and who had previously visited the district on one or more occasions,'' Mr Begg said.
The combined expenditure in the district of the campers surveyed was $232,000, or an average of $468 per group.
Campers surveyed in 2011 spent an average of $67 a day per group while those surveyed this year were spending $91 a day.
''I think we can note that's a reasonably significant spend,'' he said.
The shorter the stay, the more people spent.
Those groups passing through in a day generally spent about $225 on the day in Central Otago, while the longest stayers might spend $25 a day.
''Spending by this group is quite significant to the community, even based off the limited information gathered in this survey,'' Mr Begg said.
The majority of the campers - 62% - were on holiday, although 7% were found to be people working in the district.
Ten days was the average stay and that figure had dropped from 18 days in 2011.
However, the average stay at each camping site was 2.9 days and many moved around various camping sites in the district.
More than two-thirds of the campers had been to Central Otago before.
Sites were generally found through the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) or other guidebooks, or just by spotting the site when passing by, Mr Begg said.
The most popular places were on the shores of Lake Dunstan at Lowburn and at Burton Creek, near Clyde, at the NZMCA site at Molyneux Park, Alexandra and by Pinders Pond at Roxburgh.
Freedom camping was more popular in the Cromwell basin than the Alexandra basin.
Many of the activities carried out by campers were inexpensive and accessible and the range of activities included walking, biking, sightseeing, swimming, fishing and shopping, he said.
''Those carrying out the survey said it seemed every van or every second one had bikes on the back.
''And the general consensus was how much the campers love Central Otago, the area and the people.''
Councillor Clair Higginson said it was interesting that walking, sightseeing and biking were the main activities enjoyed by the campers and reinforced the area's reputation as ''the bike capital'' of the country.
Happy campers
• More than 1000 freedom campers surveyed.
• Based mostly at Lowburn, Burton Creek near Clyde, the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association site at Alexandra, and Pinders Pond at Roxburgh.
• 78% from New Zealand.
• Average stay 10 days.
• Average spend in the district was $468 per group ($232,000 in total).
• 64% were aged in their 60s or older.
• Main activities were walking, biking, sightseeing, fishing, swimming and shopping.
