Picnic Bay Campsite

81

Analysis

9 Rankers Reviews

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Accommodation

Standard

Adult	$10/night
Child	$5/night

Maps

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Location in Picton / Marlborough Sounds

Camping near Picton / Marlborough Sounds

Photos

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.

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.

! 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 Marlborough Council Website for up to date road conditions

Notices

Bookings required from 5 December

Online bookings will be required for this campsite for stays from 5 December 2025. Bookings open 2 December.

45 DOC huts and campsites to move onto the booking system: Media release
First published on 24 November 2025.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Picnic 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.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	$10.00 to $15.00 per night
Unpowered Site	Child	$5.00 to $7.50 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

Organisation

DOC Marlborough

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds

Categories

Basic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

Not Operating

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.19541672

174.0464667

Latitude
-41.19541672
Longitude
174.0464667

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.
Dogs	Dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dogs 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? Dogs 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.
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
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.
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

Not sure if Cowshed bay and Picnic bay are one?
Valg

Nice LITTLE spot.
Will Fishburn

Next to Queen Charlotte Track.
Marlies Brand

4.1 9 Reviews Analysis
Tiny campsite, but with a beautiful view and access to the sounds beach.
We were the only ones there while the other campsite a few meters away was full. The only service is a toilet, which wasn’t very clean though.

Reviewed 10 months ago

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

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2022

Gina Schopfer
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 over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2021

Valg
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 3 years ago and experienced in December 2017

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

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2014

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

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2012

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

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2011

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

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2011

Marlies Brand