The Queenstown Lakes District Council, New Zealand Transport Agency and police were working together to try to keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible, but were braced for ''significantly higher levels of traffic'' over the summer holiday period.
Some traffic counts were already up 15% on last year.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said reserves in Queenstown and Wanaka would be opened up for additional parking to ease congestion in the town centres.
In Queenstown, Warren Park, beside Wakatipu High School, would have capacity for about 150 cars for day-time parking.
Another 40 car parks - with a four-hour limit - would be available at Queenstown Primary School.
At Wanaka, space would be provided at the Wanaka Showground.
All temporary parking would be free of charge, Mr Boult said.
The transport agency would use electronic signage to promote the Malghans Rd route into Queenstown to try to alleviate pressure on Frankton Rd, and would use permanent electronic signs in the Kawarau Gorge to advise of any traffic issues.
The traffic lights on the one-way Kawarau Bridge and both sets of lights on Stanley St would be actively managed by NZTA's Wellington transport operations centre to help the flow of traffic, with the council having traffic management personnel on standby to help manage the pedestrian crossings ''if the need arises'', as well as other pinch points on its roading network.
Mr Boult said delays would be ''inevitable'' and motorists should consider alternative transport, if possible, or factor in additional time, particularly if they were on the way to Queenstown Airport to catch a flight.
''Delays are inevitable, there's no denying that, but with a bit of foresight you can avoid the worst of it.
''There are a number of big projects under way that will have a significant impact on traffic over the next 12 months, but until then please use an equal measure of patience and good humour.''
NZTA has four live traffic cameras drivers could use to make travel arrangements to avoid congestion, either by delaying their departure, or taking an alternative route.
They could be accessed at nzta.govt.nz/traffic.
