Short answer: DOC confirmed on 2 July 2026 that paid parking continues at Dolomite Point in Punakaiki, Franz Josef and White Horse Hill at Aoraki / Mount Cook. Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island is next, with DOC aiming to start charges in December 2026. Explera DMC New Zealand builds these stops into coach timings and confirms parking at quotation.
The Department of Conservation ran paid parking as a pilot over the 2025–26 summer at three of its busiest South Island car parks. It has now made the scheme permanent there, and the money goes back into conservation and visitor facilities.
Which DOC sites charge for parking?
- Dolomite Point, Punakaiki. The car park for the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes walk. See our West Coast guide.
- Franz Josef. The glacier car park on the West Coast. See our Franz Josef and Fox glaciers guide.
- White Horse Hill, Aoraki / Mount Cook. The start of the Hooker Valley Track. See our Hooker Valley Track guide.
- Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island, Leigh. The marine reserve north of Auckland is the next site, and DOC is aiming to start charges in December 2026. DOC said the final pricing would be released in October 2026, so we check it before we quote.
DOC also said it is looking at other sites and expects to name any new ones before Christmas 2026.
What changed after the pilot?
- Half-hour charging. Charges now run in half-hour steps rather than by the hour.
- One day, several visits. Paying for a day's parking covers several entries and exits on that day.
- A shorter free period. At Punakaiki and Franz Josef the free period is now 10 minutes, down from 20, and it is for drop-offs and pick-ups only.
- Concession permits. Concession holders who had a permit during the pilot have it extended to 30 June 2027.
What does it mean for a group?
- Coach groups. Commercial operators on conservation land work under a DOC concession, so we confirm with the coach company how parking is covered before we quote.
- Self-drive and minibus groups. Drivers pay at the car park. We add it to the trip notes so it is not a surprise on the day. Our self-drive briefing covers the rest.
- Time on site. A 10-minute drop-off is not long enough for the Pancake Rocks walk, so the coach either parks or comes back for the group. We plan the stop length first.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We plan coach days that allow for parking and drop-off rules at busy natural sites. See coach and private transfers, group tours and our national parks overview.
FAQ
Which DOC sites have paid parking? Dolomite Point in Punakaiki, Franz Josef and White Horse Hill at Aoraki / Mount Cook. DOC confirmed on 2 July 2026 that the scheme continues there.
Which site is next? Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island in Leigh, where DOC is aiming to start charges in December 2026.
How long is the free period? At Punakaiki and Franz Josef it is 10 minutes, for drop-offs and pick-ups only.
Does one payment cover several visits in a day? Yes. Paying for a day's parking covers several entries and exits on that day.
Where does the money go? DOC says the revenue is reinvested in conservation, cultural heritage and visitor projects.
Sources
- Paid car parking to continue at DOC sites, Department of Conservation, 2 July 2026
- Goat Island next site for paid parking to support conservation, Department of Conservation, 3 August 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
