Escaped youth tracked by Eagle helicopter, found hiding in New Brighton
The young person who escaped from a youth justice facility in Rolleston has been located...
Visitors to some of Canterbury’s most popular tourist attractions will soon have to pay for parking, as the Department of Conservation introduces charges at eight sites across New Zealand.
From December, motorists visiting Castle Hill and Devils Punchbowl near Arthur’s Pass will face charges of up to $20 a day.
The new fees follow a trial earlier this year, with DOC expecting to collect approximately $3 million in parking revenue nationwide between December 2026 and December 2027.
Most sites will offer 10 minutes of free parking for people dropping off or collecting passengers, followed by a charge of $2.50 per half hour or $20 for a full day.
The spectacular Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall, one of the highlights of Arthur’s Pass National Park on New Zealand’s South Island.
DOC Director of Heritage and Visitors David Butt said the charges would help fund conservation work.
“Following a successful paid car parking pilot programme earlier this year, DOC decided to extend the programme to several other popular sites as a way for visitors to contribute to nature and the experiences they enjoy.”
“The revenue raised will be reinvested into conservation regionally and nationally to support the most urgent projects for native wildlife, cultural heritage and visitor infrastructure.”
Other locations facing the charges include Tasman Glacier, the Kepler Track control gates, Blue Pools, Routeburn Divide, Deepwater Basin at Milford Sound and Goat Island Marine Reserve.
Different pricing arrangements will apply at Deepwater Basin and Goat Island.
Local residents living within designated boundaries will be able to purchase an annual parking permit for $10, covering two vehicles and providing unlimited access for 12 months.
Commercial tourism operators with valid DOC concessions will be exempt, while schools, volunteer organisations, community groups and DOC contractors can apply for exemptions.
Permits and exemptions will become available through DOC’s website in December.
Payment machines will be installed at the affected sites, with motorists who fail to pay facing $75 breach notices.
The notices will be enforced by Stellar, the company supplying the parking equipment and services.
DOC said the money collected would be directed towards conservation priorities, including native wildlife protection, cultural heritage and maintaining visitor facilities.
