Three arrests were made at Millers Flat on Saturday, in a complete turnaround from last year's Boxing Day mayhem when police closed the Bridge Tavern due to drunken disorder.
Sergeant Ian Kerrisk, of Alexandra, said this year's rodeo crowd was well-behaved, as were people within licensed premises in the area on the day.
He and four other officers were working on Saturday, and Sgt Kerrisk said their visibility probably helped deter offending.
"We are full of praise for the behaviour of the people both at the rodeo and in hotels within the vicinity.
We also want to thank the local tavern and hotel owners for their co-operation as we worked closely together to plan the day, and as a result things went well and people were able to safely enjoy themselves," Sgt Kerrisk said.
Two young men from Southland and Nelson tried to climb over the Millers Flat Bridge railing and were charged with disorderly behaviour.
The third arrest related to a vehicle crash on the bridge about 1.30pm, when an intoxicated 17-year-old Millers Flat woman was involved in a nose-to-tail collision with another vehicle while trying to drive over the one-lane structure.
When trying to get off the bridge she "T-boned" another vehicle, which was stopped at the State Highway 8 entrance to allow other traffic to pass, Sgt Kerrisk said.
No-one was injured in the incident, although all vehicles were damaged - two so badly they could not be driven.
Sgt Kerrisk said the driver had a breath alcohol level of 970 micrograms, well over the legal limit of 150mcg for her age.
"That is a major concern for us," he said.
She was taken home by police, and later barred from entering a local establishment due to her level of intoxication.
The woman will appear in the Alexandra District Court on January 20 charged with drink-driving and careless use of a motor vehicle.
Police, fire services and the harbourmaster in Queenstown had a very quiet Boxing Day weekend this year, attending only a few minor incidents.
Traffic was also relatively quiet.
Emergency personnel hope holiday visitors as well as local people will continue to act responsibly for the rest of the festive season.
Police have mainly been checking traffic over Christmas, with several checkpoints on the roads leading in to Queenstown.
Police said drivers had refrained from driving under the influence of alcohol, and road complaints had mostly been about impatient drivers speeding or tail-gating other drivers.
Sergeant Steve Watt, from Queenstown police, said the usual influx of Christmas tourists arrived late on Boxing Day.
"It might be partly due to the rain, but it has been quiet both on the roads and around town in the evenings.
But we are still bracing ourselves for New Years [eve], which should be a busy evening," he said.
Sgt Watt said Boxing Day only had a single arrest at 2am in the morning, when a 21-year-old man, from Wellington, was arrested for shoplifting after stealing two pies at the Night'n Day store at Shotover St.
When the man's details were checked, it was found he had also breached bail conditions.
The waters around the Lakes District had been equally quiet.
Harbourmaster Marty Black said yesterday was the first big day on the lakes for boat users.
"Late Sunday afternoon I saw over 100 boats in the water at Lake Wanaka, and at the same time the Christmas Regatta was on at Lake Wakatipu.
But everyone was behaving themselves and having a good time.
I hope that lasts throughout the festive season," Mr Black said.
Even Fire Services had a quiet weekend.
One incident, where a man from Glenorchy walked home around midnight (between Friday and Saturday) to find the back of his truck set on fire, is under investigation and being treated as suspicious.
