Cowshed Bay Campsite
Pelorus Sound
3.9 25 reviews
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Cowshed Bay Campsite
Explore Kenepuru Sound by boat, walk or mountain bike the nearby Queen Charlotte Track or relax by the water surrounded by native bush.
Getting here involves a winding but very scenic drive until you get to Portage Bay Recreation Reserve, the Cowshed Bay Camping Ground is right on the waterfront just before Portage Resort.
Brand new toilet blocks, showers (cold) and cooking shelters make this popular spot an even nicer place to stay. An easy walk to the Queen Charlotte Track from the back of the campground.
! From Marlborough Council: Kenepuru Road and its side roads, including Moetapu Bay Road, are restricted to residents and emergency services only. They are not suitable for visitors.
Check Council website for current road conditions.
Notices
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Windfall/track damage on Queen Charlotte Track
There are multiple windfalls and some track damage on Queen Charlotte Track from recent storms. Allow extra time to complete the track and be prepared to find your way around various obstacles. There is windfall on a section of the track from Anakiwa to Bottle Bay. See indicative map (PDF, 483K). Once track repairs begin, there may be short delays. Follow all directions from staff and contractors.
First published on 21 April 2026. -
Ungulate control operation on Queen Charlotte Track and campgrounds
From 10 May to late June 2026 an ungulate control operation is occurring on public conservation and private land from Lochmara Bay to the south side of Endeavour Inlet in Queen Charlotte Sound. View a map of the operation area (JPEG, 228K)
The operation is targeting deer, goats and pigsusing both thermal imaging technology to aerial shoot from a helicopter and ground hunting teams with indicator dogs.
If you are in this area during these dates, be aware there could be noise from a helicopter and rifle shots. Signs will be in place at key points of entry advising on the operation.
Safety protocols exist for target identification so there is no danger to you being in this area while the operation is undertaken, although off track travel is not recommended.
First published on 5 May 2026. -
No showers available at Cowshed Bay Campsite
Showers are not currently available at this site.
First published on 6 January 2026. Last reviewed on 4 May 2026.
Accommodation
DOC Campsite Pricing
Cowshed Bay Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $15.00 to $20.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $7.50 to $10.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC MarlboroughCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds |
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Operating Season And Hours |
The campsite is open year-round. Quiet hours are from 9:30 pm – 6:30 am, and generators are allowed from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm only. Bookings are required and can be made online until 8 pm for same-day stays. Peak season is from December 1st to February 28th, and for public holiday weekends. |
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Basic Camping
Google Maps
Reviews
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Campsites like a botanic garden.
Kiefer Osterrieder -
Very beautiful setting.
Carolyn Clark -
It was clean!
Mathieu Brunel -
Worth the drive and what a drive it was.
Susan Fielder -
We found lovely hosts at the Sounds paradise.
Wolfgang Rank
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Basic facilities but sufficient.
No WiFi except literally at the office. Very quiet, good base place for a tent to then explore Northland. We paid $15 each for 2 with tent and car. Shower is free and excellent. Fridge. Kaikohe is a bit of a rough town. The ngawa hot springs are excellent if a little pricey $34 each.
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What a place to stop close to the Sound.
The road to drive there is hard but ok. The camping ground is divided in two on each part of the road. Facilities are very clean.
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Our first experience at a DOC campground did not disappoint.
This campsite was a fun place to stop over after taking the ferry in to Picton that morning.
There are two halves to the campsite, one right on the water and one up across the road. We scored a spot right next to the water, which was also convenient to the sink and bathrooms. The site seems well-maintained and has an easy vibe. The location is quite pretty, but watch out for the wekas! They are very present and will happily steal anything you leave out for them. They also have no problem climbing up into your vehicle if you leave it open, so beware. Sand flies were a pain here as well. With friendly campers as neighbors, we had a very nice stay here and enjoyed the varied bird life and their songs.
We paid $13 per person to stay here. Also, word to the wise: the roads getting here are true NZ - verrrrry windy with lots of blind turns! So drive safely!
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Beautiful location, cold showers, excellent facilities - clean flush toilets, kitchen area, sinks and benches.
Sheltered too.
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We stayed here two nights in August while we walked some of the Queen Charlotte Track.
It's a beautiful little site, very peaceful and right on the water's edge, with extra space the other side of the road when it's busy. The water needs treating before you can drink it. The toilets are modern and clean. There is a path from the back of the site up to the Queen Charlotte Track, which is about half a km. You can buy passes at the Portage Hotel...5 minutes from the site.
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We found lovely hosts at the Sounds paradise.
Staying at the waterfront at this nice place was so enjoyable. Everything new and absolutely clean. The entrance to Queen Charlotte Track is very close by.
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We decided to spend the whole day here, but if you do not join Queen Charlotte, there is not much else to do.
Winds were strong, tides significant and the gravel beach not exactly attractive for swimming. Next time we would probably spare the drive.
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A really nice and beautiful DOC campsite with a beautiful view and a cold shower.
Maybe solar energy would be great to supply hot water. However toilets were really great - modern.
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Very beautiful setting.
Unfortunately experience was spoiled by camp wardens! Was approached by female warden to ask us to pay her directly (i.e. not using envelope) and both evenings they had loud drinking aprties at camp entracne between 4:30 and 7:30pm spoiled peaceful atmosphere. Also had a cat who wandered camp.
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Basic facilities but sufficient.
No WiFi except literally at the office. Very quiet, good base place for a tent to then explore Northland. We paid $15 each for 2 with tent and car. Shower is free and excellent. Fridge. Kaikohe is a bit of a rough town. The ngawa hot springs are excellent if a little pricey $34 each.
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What a place to stop close to the Sound.
The road to drive there is hard but ok. The camping ground is divided in two on each part of the road. Facilities are very clean.
-
Our first experience at a DOC campground did not disappoint.
This campsite was a fun place to stop over after taking the ferry in to Picton that morning.
There are two halves to the campsite, one right on the water and one up across the road. We scored a spot right next to the water, which was also convenient to the sink and bathrooms. The site seems well-maintained and has an easy vibe. The location is quite pretty, but watch out for the wekas! They are very present and will happily steal anything you leave out for them. They also have no problem climbing up into your vehicle if you leave it open, so beware. Sand flies were a pain here as well. With friendly campers as neighbors, we had a very nice stay here and enjoyed the varied bird life and their songs.
We paid $13 per person to stay here. Also, word to the wise: the roads getting here are true NZ - verrrrry windy with lots of blind turns! So drive safely!
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Beautiful location, cold showers, excellent facilities - clean flush toilets, kitchen area, sinks and benches.
Sheltered too.
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We stayed here two nights in August while we walked some of the Queen Charlotte Track.
It's a beautiful little site, very peaceful and right on the water's edge, with extra space the other side of the road when it's busy. The water needs treating before you can drink it. The toilets are modern and clean. There is a path from the back of the site up to the Queen Charlotte Track, which is about half a km. You can buy passes at the Portage Hotel...5 minutes from the site.
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We found lovely hosts at the Sounds paradise.
Staying at the waterfront at this nice place was so enjoyable. Everything new and absolutely clean. The entrance to Queen Charlotte Track is very close by.
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We decided to spend the whole day here, but if you do not join Queen Charlotte, there is not much else to do.
Winds were strong, tides significant and the gravel beach not exactly attractive for swimming. Next time we would probably spare the drive.
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A really nice and beautiful DOC campsite with a beautiful view and a cold shower.
Maybe solar energy would be great to supply hot water. However toilets were really great - modern.
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Very beautiful setting.
Unfortunately experience was spoiled by camp wardens! Was approached by female warden to ask us to pay her directly (i.e. not using envelope) and both evenings they had loud drinking aprties at camp entracne between 4:30 and 7:30pm spoiled peaceful atmosphere. Also had a cat who wandered camp.