The New Zealand Herald was there just after midday when police arrived at the Crown Range Rd summit where a number of people were gathered.
Some were snowboarding, others sledding or playing in the snow.
And there were others walking dogs.
The area is a 45-minute drive from Queenstown.
It is understood police were also called to the area this morning to send an earlier group home.
At midday there were six cars in the parking area.
Given the area is so far from Queenstown it is unlikely authorities would consider it appropriate for people to be there under the current lockdown rules.
Under alert level 4 restrictions all New Zealanders have been instructed to "stay at home in their bubble other than for essential personal movement".
"Safe recreational activity" is allowed in a person's local area and travel is severely limited.
All gatherings are banned and all public venues closed.
The message - although blatantly clear and simple - is not getting through to some though.
A police spokeswoman said officers "noted" a gathering of people at the lookout at Crown Range at about 11.30am.
No further information was recorded.
"Also, late this morning police received a report of two people seen whitebaiting in Summer Hill about 7am," she said.
"In instances such as these police are reminding people of the restrictions in place under Alert Level 4.
"Any exercise should be local, and police urge people to avoid any activity which might lead to a rescue or emergency response, given the risk it poses to our emergency services and SAR volunteers."
The spokeswoman said there were plenty of safe exercising options to do at home or close to it.
"Which mean we can keep active while continuing to fight against the spread of COVID-19, and without posing further risks to others," she said.
Yesterday police reiterated they had a low tolerance of unlawful gatherings after a number of people left home to attend lockdown-related protests around the country.
"And the public can expect that we will look to enforce the current restrictions in place under alert level 4," a spokesperson said.
"We urge everyone to stay at home and we will continue to work with our partners and the public to ensure everyone complies with the restrictions in place under alert level 4," the spokesperson said.
"The vast majority of New Zealanders are doing the right thing and abiding by the alert level restrictions, and these protesters represent a very small number of people who are not.
People not following the rules and travelling so far from home to partake in leisure activities puts them at risk of accidents and needing emergency services.
This then takes police, ambulance, fire and hospital staff away from Covid-related duties and puts extra pressure on front line responders - as well as potentially exposing them to the virus.
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Her we go again; as if NZ is not the laughing stock for the countywide lockdown for one death, now we have police and many others apparently oblivious to the fact the virus hates fresh air and sunshine.
People should be encouraged to get out in the fresh air and sunshine.
Regardless of what you or I think, the simple truth is that if people are breaking the law by inessential travel, gathering in a group, or being outside their "bubble" for no good reason, they must accept the consequenses. Without any good reason for being there, these people should have been fined on the spot. They will be more likely to continue to flout the law now.
NZ is not a laughing stock, it's response to Covid and the results from it are the envy of the world.
The point is… driving 40minutes up the Crown Range from Wanaka or Queenstown (a road which is an accident hotspot anyway when there’s snow and ice) might mean you or your family are involved in an accident. Then the emergency services have to rescue you, take you to hospital and it is an unnecessary burden to hospitals and exposure to potential Covid for emergency rescuers. Yes get out in the fresh air if you live in the snow but don’t be daft and drive there.
I think this is called an official over-reaction. No cases in SI, no water testing suggestive of any infections, and so you take your protective 'bubble' to play in the snow. Wowserism. I can take my kid on local bike trails officially.
Beggars belief that some people think they're above everyone else. Driving up a dangerous road where there's snow and ice is just a stupid unnecessary risk. Stay home, exercise locally (WHERE YOU DONT HAVE TO DRIVE). how hard is that?