Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan

Developing a Mount Iron Trail Plan

Council is developing a Trail Plan for Mount Iron that will outline what an integrated network of walking, biking and horse-riding trails could look like in the future. We're working with Bike Wānaka, the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (who are inputting on walking and biking trails) and the Upper Clutha Lakes Equestrian Access Group on this plan.

Click here for more details on how the Trail Plan is progressing. 

Milestone achieved! Council to manage all reserve land at Mount Iron

We’re pleased to share that as of 22 January 2026, Council has taken over management of the public conservation land at Mount Iron in Wānaka.  This land was previously managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). More details here

The Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan (RMP) provides a community led vision for how the Mount Iron Reserve can be experienced and valued, now and into the future. The plan was adopted in April 2025 and guides Council officers in making day-to-day and long-term decisions about how the reserve is used, managed, or developed. It is a document prepared under the Reserves Act 1977.

The Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan only applies to the Council recreation reserve land on Mount Iron. It does not apply to the DOC scenic reserve land at Mount Iron. 

The Mount Iron RMP was developed through engagement with the Upper Clutha community. In 2023, the community came together to discuss what they wanted to see for the future of Mount Iron, and in 2024 over 400 people provided feedback on the draft plan.

We’re pleased to share that Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has taken over management of the public conservation land at Mount Iron in Wānaka.  This land was previously managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

This means QLDC is now the administering body of approximately 55ha of reserve land, which includes the State Highway (SH)84 Mount Iron carpark and the Mount Iron Scenic Reserve. This is in addition to the 100ha of Mount Iron Recreation Reserve Land that QLDC purchased in May 2023 from private ownership.

It also means the Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan, that the community guided and elected members approved in 2025, now applies to this land as well as the Council recreation reserve.

Why is this good outcome for the community?

QLDC already manages approximately 100ha of Mount Iron Recreation Reserve so including the public conservation land allows us to better manage the whole area as one reserve for community and visitor use. For example, the hugely popular 5km Mount Iron loop trail is now on land managed by one organisation. This will ultimately enhance the experience for Mount Iron users long-term.

Will this change how anything is currently managed on Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron?

QLDC has already been managing the day-to-day operations since 2024, so you won’t see any big changes when you’re out and about in the reserve. QLDC will take over some responsibilities previously held by DOC e.g. responsibility for agreements with community groups and commercial operators. A key change through this process is that the SH84 Mount Iron carpark is now part of the wider Recreation Reserve. This means freedom camping will be prohibited at the site following a period of education for visitors. 

It's important to note that QLDC’s Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025 doesn’t apply to reserve land, which instead is managed under the Reserves Act 1977. Overnight camping is not permitted at the Mount Iron Reserve and anyone found staying overnight in campervans, vehicles, or tents will be subject to a fine.

When did QLDC initiate planning for public conservation land on Mount Iron to be managed as one reserve?

This has been part of the planning direction and aspiration of QLDC and DOC since 2022 when a council paper was submitted as part of the proposal to acquire Mount Iron. The Council paper outlined the implications and risks to Council of applying to administer this land under the Reserves Act 1977.  Due to the proposal being initiated in these early stages, QLDC management was accounted for in the development of the RMP and throughout the community consultation process. This has allowed for a cohesive and joined up management plan for the entire reserve area.

Are QLDC and DOC planning to celebrate this milestone with the community?

QLDC and DOC will be in touch with groups operating on Mount Iron, along with the wider community, with an invitation to a morning tea held onsite in the coming months. Further details will be made available soon.

If you'd like to be kept up to date with the latest information relating to Council's management of Mount Iron Reserve, we've created a newsletter to share information. 

Now that we have Reserve Management Plan for Mount Iron Recreation Reserve these newsletters will come out every three months to share happenings of interest.

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