Queenstown Lakes District Council

02/08/2026

**Winter Road Report - 6.33am, Monday 3 August**

Mōrena Queenstown Lakes,

Did somebody order t-shirt and shorts weather? Not too much to report on in terms of winter road conditions this morning as temperatures are soaring as high as 12°C in the Whakatipu Basin and 11°C in the Upper Clutha (sorry Arrowtown, you're sitting between 1-4°C).

Roading crews have applied CMA overnight on key travel routes. MetService has a little bit of rain in the forecast as the day rolls on with the potential for light snowfall in the evening – so keep an eye out for that as conditions can change quickly during winter!

For those out near Albert Town today, remember the bridge will close at 9.00am as part of ongoing wastewater upgrades. We've put some details on social media with more information, otherwise check out our website.

As always, if you see anything that needs our attention give us a call on 03 441 0499.

I had tried to convince Luna the French Bulldog to write this week's reports, but it appears she has slept through my alarm and ignored all pleas. I guess I'll check back in with you tomorrow morning and for the remainder of the week!

Ngā mihi,
Ben.

Did somebody order t-shirt and shorts weather? Not too much to report on in terms of winter road conditions this morning as temperatures are soaring as high as 12°C in the Whakatipu Basin and 11°C in the Upper Clutha (sorry Arrowtown, you're sitting between 1-4°C).

02/08/2026

📢 Reminder: It’s almost go-time for the Albert Town Bridge closure. Plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey.

From 9.00am tomorrow, the bridge will be closed so crews can get digging 🪏

Things to know:

• The bridge will be closed on weekdays only, from 9.00am-5.30pm, Monday 3 August to Friday 14 August.
• Aim to arrive at the bridge at least 10 minutes before the closure begins to allow all queued traffic to get through before 9.00am.
• Shops near the bridge are still open for business.

To manage traffic peaks before and after the bridge closure, stop/go lights will be manually controlled:

• 7.00am-9.00am preference for Hāwea basin traffic traveling south bound in the morning.
• 5.30pm-6.30pm preference for Hāwea Basin traffic travelling north bound in the evening.

Pedestrians can still cross the bridge during the closure, but it will be narrower and cyclists must dismount.

Thank you for your patience while our crews do this work! 💜

01/08/2026

**QLDC Winter Road Report – 2 August 2026 6.50am**
Good morning

A return to mostly dry roads and clear skies today, although it's a bit overcast around Kingston and through the Kawarau Gorge.

It’s the Upper Clutha’s turn to be a bit colder than the Whakatipu Basin: Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea Flat have temperatures ranging from -1° to -4°, whilst it’s just above zero in Arrowtown, Jacks Point and Hanleys Farm. Queenstown CBD was showing 3° when the reports were sent to us.

It was -3° over the Lindis Pass but (positive) 3.5° at the Crown Range Road summit. Watch for loose grit at the top and down the valley to Cardrona township.

As always, if you see anything that needs our attention give us a call on 03 441 0499.

My last shift this time gives me the opportunity to thank our hard-working crews out there doing it every morning and sending in juicy tidbits for me to include in these reports. Without Alistair H, for example, none of us would know that today is both National Ice Cream Sandwich Day and National Colouring Book Day in the USA. Let’s import those traditions – sounds like a great combo for your Sunday in Aotearoa New Zealand!

Right, I’m off for a ski. Until next time – go well.

Cheers,
Sam

A return to mostly dry roads and clear skies today, although it's a bit overcast around Kingston and through the Kawarau Gorge.

01/08/2026

If you're traveling through Frankton overnight on Monday 3 August (9.00pm-6.00am), please note that a minor temporary lane closure will be in place on Lucas Place.

This closure is to allow for contractors to safely complete preparation work ahead of a 5G tower installation. Access to all businesses and residences on Lucas Place will be maintained throughout the duration of work.

Stop/go traffic management will be set-up with appropriate wayfinding signage. Please allow extra time for your journey.

Queenstown Airport / Frankton Community Association

31/07/2026

**QLDC Winter Road Report – 1 August 2026 6.53am**

Good morning - today's headlines:
- Black ice through Kawarau Gorge, all the way through Gibbston to Arrow Junction.
- Chains to be carried over the Crown Range Road.
- Black ice over the Lindis Pass where some snow is settling.

There are icy, wintry conditions across the network so slow down and drive with extreme caution. Roads are mostly wet and foggy with overcast skies.

Fresh grit has been applied where required.

As always, if you see anything that needs our attention give us a call on 03 441 0499.

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month - we're officially two-thirds of the way through winter.

Travel safe and I’ll be with you one last time tomorrow.
Sam

There are icy, wintry conditions across the network so slow down and drive with extreme caution. Roads are mostly wet and foggy with overcast skies.

31/07/2026

Good news for Arrowtown Memorial Pool users! 🥳

Work is underway to upgrade the old LPG boiler with a new electrified heat pump water heating system as part of energy upgrades at local aquatic facilities.

We have chosen a simple, proven solution to heat the pool for the upcoming summer season. It will be fast to deliver and reduce emissions by up to 83%, contributing to QLDC's Climate and Biodiversity Plan’s goals.

The upgrade follows a chilly 2025-2026 season, when the pool's LPG boiler failed just a week before the pool was due to open, leaving swimmers with a colder than usual summer.

📸 Pictured: Arrowtown Memorial Pool

31/07/2026

🚧 Update on the Hallenstein Street lane closure

Crews are making good progress replacing aging water connections along Hallenstein Street. The southbound lane has now been completed, and both lanes are set to reopen over the weekend.

The team will return on Monday 3 August to complete work on the northbound lane. We expect the road to be fully reopen on Friday 7 August.

See map below which outlines closure points and an available detour from Weaver Street onto Gorge Road.

30/07/2026

Elected members will soon meet to discuss next steps in government's Head Start Pathway – a streamlined, voluntary pathway for councils willing and able to reorganise before the 2028 local body elections.

This meeting will be held in public from 11.00am Monday 3 August at Council Chambers (10 Gorge Road). In person attendance is welcome, but the meeting will also be recorded and livestreamed for those who cannot make it – see comments below for details.

30/07/2026

**QLDC Winter Road Report – 31 July 2026 6.40am**
Happy Friday everyone.

A snowfall warning from MetService remains in place for the Crown Range Road:
“Snow is expected to lower to 700 metres Friday morning, and to 400 metres by Friday evening. Expect 1 to 3 cm to accumulate above 700 metres and lesser amounts to 400 metres.”

There’s also one for the Lindis Pass but starting late afternoon/early evening.

So, if you haven’t already, please ensure you have snow chains in the car and know how to fit them. There’s a high chance you’ll need them if you’re heading over our alpine passes today.

Whilst we only issue one email road report per day, if conditions change we do provide updates on our page () and issue text alerts if things get bad. Not signed up yet? Head to our website via the link in the comments to this post.

Currently, roads are wet given yesterday’s rain which is still falling in most places. But temperatures are on the plus side. Kingston probably coldest around 4 degrees.

Everything points to an interesting day ahead! Be prepared for things to change quickly.

I’ll be back with reports over the weekend too – yay!

Go well,
Sam

Snow is expected to lower to 700 metres Friday morning, and to 400 metres by Friday evening. Expect 1 to 3 cm to accumulate above 700 metres and lesser amounts to 400 metres.

30/07/2026

Consultation has begun on a proposal to amend the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025. The proposed changes would:

1️⃣ Permanently prohibit freedom camping at the Allenby Place carpark;

2️⃣ Prohibit freedom camping at the Beacon Point Road carpark during December, January, and February each year; and

3️⃣ Increase designated freedom camping spaces at the Wānaka Recreation Centre carpark from 18 to 21.

This consultation relates only to the existing restricted freedom camping areas at Beacon Point Road carpark, Allenby Place carpark, and Wānaka Recreation Centre carpark.

People are welcome to provide feedback on the bylaw more generally or on other locations across the district. While this feedback will be considered by Council, it falls outside the scope of the current consultation and will not result in additional changes through this consultation process – any broader feedback received will be provided to Council for consideration and may inform future work.

Public feedback is open until Monday 31 August, with oral submissions to be heard by a Council hearing panel on Tuesday 27 October.

📸 Image: Signage at Beacon Point carpark.