"Many parts of New Zealand have been hit hard by the loss of international visitors. More remote, high-volume internationally renowned destinations in national parks saw a huge decline in visitation.
"Acknowledging how tough the last year has been for many local economies, it was great to have been able to open the popular Milford and Routeburn tracks in Fiordland in time for the holidays, to support domestic tourism in the region," DoC director general Lou Sanson said.
DoC says New Zealanders are going to be camping at large, coastal campgrounds at Kiwi summer hotspots such as Northland, Coromandel and the upper South Island.
Tōtaranui Campground (near Abel Tasman Coast Track) has the highest number of bookings out of all DoC campgrounds in New Zealand this summer.
Waikawau Bay (Coromandel) and Otamure Bay (Northland) campsites are proving popular, too.
"While DoC is expecting a busy season, there is still lots of space over summer across the hundreds of conservation campsites, including campsites on Great Walks."
Most popular campsites
Number of nights booked between December 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021:
• Tōtaranui, Nelson/Tasman: 42,170
• Waikawau Bay, Coromandel: 17,580
• Otamure Bay, Northland: 16,710
• Uretiti Beach, Northland: 11,770
• Puriri Bay (Whangaruru), Northland: 9190
• Momorangi Bay, Marlborough: 8630
• Urupukapuka Bay, Northland: 6430
• Waikahoa Bay, Northland: 5100
• Port Jackson, Coromandel: 4420
• Cable Bay (Urupukapuka), Northland: 2430