Picnic Bay Campsite

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Picnic Bay Campsite

Kenepuru Sound

8 Rankers Reviews

3 Face-to-Face

Analysis

All Reviews

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Accommodation

Standard

Unpowered Campsite

Number of tent sites - 4.

Adult	$8/night
Child	$4/night

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Location in Picton / Marlborough Sounds

Camping near Picton / Marlborough Sounds

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P. Brady

Picnic Bay Camping Ground

P. Brady

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Information

This is a scenic area with walking, sea kayaking, motor boating, kayaking, fishing and bird watching opportunities.

The Picnic Bay Camping Ground is right on the foreshore!! Turn off Queen Charlotte Drive into Kenepuru Rd past Portage to Picnic Bay, Kenepuru Sound. The road is narrow and winding. A wicked area for all water activities.

Notices

Kenepuru campsites road access restrictions

There are restrictions on Kenepuru Road, which provides access to Cowshed Bay, Keneperu Head, Nikau Cove and Picnic Bay campsites.

Visitors will need to check open hours and other restrictions on the Marlborough District Council information map before accessing the campsites.
First published on 21 July 2021. Last reviewed on 21 April 2022.

Details

Feature	Value	Info
Organisation	DOC Marlborough Central government organisation
Location	South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds
Categories	Basic Camping

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Marlborough

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds

Categories

Basic Camping

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.
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	Up to 5 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? Up to 5 sites There are only between one and five camping/parking sites available.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? Up to 5 sites There are only between one and five camping/parking sites available.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Untreated water. Boil or treat water before drinking.	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Untreated water. Boil or treat water before drinking.
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.
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.
Vehicle Access	Vehicle accessible Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. Road is windy, care needed	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. Road is windy, care needed
Dogs	Dog allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dog allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Dog permit required ph 03 520 3002. Must also be on a leash.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dog allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Dog permit required ph 03 520 3002. Must also be on a leash.
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

Reviews

Department of Conservation

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Gina Schopfer

Ranking: 2/10

The site is currently closed because the road suffered a slip.

Reviewed 4 months ago

Valg

Ranking: 9/10

Not sure if Cowshed bay and Picnic bay are one? But it is a great spot in a lovely bay, camping on both sides of the road bush or beach. This is the first place we found to camp up the Kenepuru Sound .Other areas are closed now.Toilets clean , water and basic sink for dishes. Very quiet and beautiful views.

Reviewed about 1 year ago

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Will Fishburn

Ranking: 8/10

Nice LITTLE spot. Only enough room for about 4 vans and we were right on top of each other. Close to the water and a small rocky beach.

Reviewed over 4 years ago

Jurgen Moors

Ranking: 10/10

Small, but absolutely beautiful, has everything you need, water, toilet, direct beach access, great swimming.

Reviewed over 7 years ago

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Alan Findlay

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

Great location on beach, fished (and caught!!) snapper.

Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2012

Curry

England

Ranking: 10/10

Beautiful little DOC site near the cowshed DOC site. Only room for 2/3 spots but amazing little isolated bay.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in November 2011

Marlies Brand

Switzerland

Ranking: 9/10

Next to Queen Charlotte Track. Beautiful drive and great for a swim also cheep!! $6!! Has a toilet and water.

Reviewed about 11 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

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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Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks

Basic Facility Camping

Freedom Camping

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South Island

Marlborough

Nelson Region

West Coast

Kaikoura Region

Canterbury

Central Otago

Mount Cook - MacKenzie

Wanaka Region

Queenstown Region

Coastal Otago

Fiordland

Southland

Picnic Bay Campsite

Picnic Bay Campsite

Kenepuru Sound

Accommodation

Picnic Bay Campsite

Unpowered Campsite

Online Maps

Camping NZ NEW

Photos

Information

Notices

Kenepuru campsites road access restrictions

Details

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Stay Rules