Kowhai Point Campsite

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Ranker's Qualmark Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism operation that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.

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Kowhai Point Campsite

Wairau River

5 Rankers Reviews

0 Face-to-Face

20 St Arnaud

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Accommodation

Standard

Kowhai Point Campsite

Unpowered Campsite

Number of tent sites - 9.

Adult	$8/night
Child	$4/night

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R Mitchinson

Kowhai Point Scenic Reserve

R Mitchinson

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Information

Small campsite on SH 63

Camp next to the Wairau River, tucked away among the kanuka. Fish or swim nearby.
Adjacent SH 63, Wash Bridge, Wairau River

Notices

Campsite fee payment issue Kowhai Point Campsite

The iron ranger at Kowhai Point Campsite has been temporarily removed for repair. It was vandalised. The iron ranger is how you would normally pay at the campsite.

Instead, you can pay your camp fees in person at Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre or Nelson Visitor Centre.

You can also pay via credit card by calling +64 3 546 9339.
First published on 20 December 2021. Last reviewed on 2 May 2022.

Details

Feature	Value	Info
Organisation	DOC Marlborough Central government organisation
Location	South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ St Arnaud
Categories	Basic Camping
Operating Season And Hours	All year

Reviews

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Angela

Ranking: 4/10

Should be free to stay here. Bush bash to get to the river, doesn't seem to be maintained very well. No tap.
I have stayed at many different DOC campsites this week and for the same price that i have payed here, some even included clean toilet and cold shower blocks.
Quite a disappointment really, cmon DOC you can do much better than this.

Reviewed over 1 year ago

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Don Marco

Ranking: 8/10

- A nice campground in the green with space between the camping spots
- street close but not noisy
- clean toilet
- no view but easy access to the beautiful river (good swim in the morning)
- some trash in the near bush
- had no problem with a good repelent

Reviewed over 2 years ago

Rick

Ranking: 2/10

Nice spot on the river but a little too far from town of St Arnaud. Mosquito infestation at sunrise and sunset was of biblical proportions. Could not leave quick enough.

Reviewed over 3 years ago

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H Harcourt

Ranking: 5/10

So many sand flies! The grounds were pretty unkempt which limited our options for pitching a tent. However we did see a groundskeeper mowing the lawns the morning we left. The road was kinda noisy too but for 6 bucks I shouldn't complain too much! Two long drops and no water supply. Close to Nelson Lakes NP.

Reviewed over 5 years ago

Sarah McKenzie

Ranking: 8/10

Nice campsite beside the river. Is right next to the road but it's not a busy road so the road noise didn't bother us through the night. Limited facilities, 2 long drop toilets, no tap but the river is very close for water. Would stay again!

Reviewed over 6 years ago

DOC Managed

Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍

Cymen Crick

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Low Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping and any vehicle Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.
Payment Requirement	Paid access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Maximum Sites Available	6 to 10 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in. 9 sites	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in. 9 sites
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. From stream - boil or treat before drinking	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. From stream - boil or treat before drinking
Shower	No shower Shower Is there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available.	Shower Is there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available.
Dump Station	No dump station Dump Station Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles.	Dump Station Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles.
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.
Powered Sites	No powered sites Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.	Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.
Vehicle Access	Vehicle accessible Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle.
Campfire Rules	Fires prohibited Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted.
Toilet	Public toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.
WiFi Internet	No WiFi WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.	WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Standard Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Standard Campsite Department of Conservation Standard Campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services. Toilets (usually composting or pit variety) water supply (tap, stream, or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbeques and fireplaces, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Standard Campsites generally can not be booked.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Standard Campsite Department of Conservation Standard Campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services. Toilets (usually composting or pit variety) water supply (tap, stream, or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbeques and fireplaces, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Standard Campsites generally can not be booked.

Land Activities

4WD Adventures

Bungy Jumping / Swing

Canyoning

Caving

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Horse Trekking

Outside the Square

Railbiking / Railcarting

Snow and Ice

Sphereing

Walking and Trekking

Water Activities

Boat Cruises

Diving

Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking

Jet Boating

Marine Animal Encounters

Air Activities

Visitor Centres

i-SITE Visitor Information Centres

Visitor Information Centres

Animal Attractions

Art & Culture Attractions

Natural Attractions

Stargazing

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Basic Facility Camping

Freedom Camping

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Rental Cars

Shuttle Buses

Water Transport

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Waikato

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Ruapehu

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Taranaki

Manawatu - Wanganui

Wairarapa

Wellington Region

South Island

Marlborough

Nelson Region

West Coast

Kaikoura Region

Canterbury

Central Otago

Mount Cook - MacKenzie

Wanaka Region

Queenstown Region

Coastal Otago

Fiordland

Southland

Kowhai Point Campsite

Kowhai Point Campsite

Wairau River

Accommodation

Kowhai Point Campsite

Unpowered Campsite

Online Maps

Camping NZ NEW

Photos

Information

Notices

Campsite fee payment issue Kowhai Point Campsite

Details

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Stay Rules