Russleigh Whitaker and Alan Sorrel were packing up their tent site at the Albert Town Camping Ground when the Otago Daily Times visited during a downpour yesterday morning.
Mr Whitaker said the group were heading back to Dunedin.
They had travelled to Wanaka after an initial stint of camping in Twizel.
"It was rain, rain, rain, over there, so we decided to get a break from it and its been rain, rain, rain, over here as well".
Constable Nigel Buckingham, of Wanaka, said there were more motorists on the roads as the holidays wound down.
The rainy weather had also swelled traffic on the roads in and around Wanaka.
"We've had a few complaints about dangerous passing on the highways around Cromwell," he said, adding motorists should be patient, given the wet roads.
Glendhu Bay Camping Ground manager Julie Gray said the New Year holiday rush was over.
A second wave of guests was arriving to replace those who had left, and were scheduled to stay until mid-January, she said.
Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park manager Kelly Campbell said there had been tent sites available since January 5.
Outlet Camping Ground manager Glen Tattersall said there had been a drift back towards large groups of several families camping together over the New Year break.
"We've had very strong numbers. We've also had a lot of Christchurch folk here, saying they wanted to get away from their shaky city," he said.
