Curio Bay campground may reopen for summer under new model
Friday 9 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Southland District Council
The Southland District Council is working to find a solution for the Curio Bay campground, which has been closed since April. The site, located in the Catlins, may reopen for the 2026/2027 summer season following the end of previous lease arrangements.
Key facts
4 facts
- Curio Bay campground has been closed since April
- The site recorded approximately 17,300 nights of use in 2025
- The council spent $84,000 on the site last financial year
- An extraordinary council meeting to discuss options will be held on Monday
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The Southland District Council is considering several options to reopen the Curio Bay campground for the upcoming summer season. The site has been closed since April following the expiration of a 20-year lease in June.
The council aims to find a new operating model that is financially sustainable. Under previous arrangements, the council spent approximately $84,000 last financial year on maintenance, rubbish, water, and trust contributions without receiving any revenue.
Three short-term options are being considered at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday. These include the council hiring an independent operator, using an automated system with a caretaker, or having the new Curioscape cafe operator manage the campground.
The South Catlins Charitable Trust, which owns the amenity block and Curioscape building, is currently seeking a cafe operator. Trust chairman Thomas Buckingham said the trust wants the site to stay open and would work toward an arrangement with the council.
Where reports differ
- One report notes the trust originally offered to operate the campground short term but later said this was unrealistic, while the other states the trust has agreed to include campground operations in the search for a cafe operator
Compiled from reports by 1News and The Press.