The Waitaki District Council has six camping grounds in the Waitaki Lakes area. The camping grounds provide access to the lakes, rivers, and local townships of Kurow, Otematata, Omarama and Twizel.
Waitaki District Council recreation officer David McFarlane said as Christmas approached "things picked up and over the holiday period our campsites were going gangbusters," he said.
He said there was a slower start to the season as both the South Canterbury anniversary day in September and Labour Weekend in October were hampered by wet weather.
Mr McFarlane said aside from the "odd dodgy day", it had been mostly clear, sunny and warm over the holiday period at the busy camp sites.
The council agreed to ban alcohol on the upper terrace of Loch Laird and the Benmore lake foreshore during Labour Weekend last year to "to protect the community and improve safety".
Loch Laird is the closest campsite to Benmore Dam and is a popular outdoor destination, particularly for camping, water skiing, walking and cycling.
Sergeant Blair Wilkinson, of Oamaru, said generally public behaviour had been good from Boxing Day.
"We’ve seen a decrease in alcohol-related disorder compared to previous years.
"The roads were very busy and we dealt with numerous driving complaints, with two drink-drivers being processed."
The police also attended three crashes in the district. There were no fatalities, he said.
Sgt Wilkinson said police attended "minor disorders" in the Waitaki Lakes campsites but these were less significant than last year.
Mr McFarlane said people left after New Year’s Day, "more to get back to work than due to the weather".
"The camps are still busy as families enjoy the school holidays," he said.
