Mutton Cove Campsite

Abel Tasman National Park

5 4 reviews

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Notices

Whale carcass in Goat Bay

There is a large whale carcass at the northern end of Goat Bay. Take extreme caution if going into the water at Goat or Tōtaranui bays as the carcass may attract sharks and other predators.
First published on 26 March 2026. Last reviewed on 29 April 2026.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Mutton Cove campsite is categorised as a DOC Great Walk Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Adults from $5 to $32, children from $0 to $16, infants are free. There is differential pricing for international visitors, as well as seasonal pricing. Visit the website for exact pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Child	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Infant	Varies per night

Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Great Walk

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman

Categories

Basic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

The campsite operates year-round. Fees vary by season, with higher rates from 1 October to 30 April and lower rates from 1 May to 30 September. Bookings are required.

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-40.7892985871381

172.993083000183

Latitude
-40.7892985871381
Longitude
172.993083000183

Websites

Online Booking

Reviews

5 4 Reviews Analysis
Absolutely stunning beach.
Nice small campsite right on the beach. Had a flushing toilet and water tap. Separation point is a short walk away and you can also walk up to whariwharangi hut about a hour away which is historic and beautiful.

Reviewed about 1 year ago

Beth
12 years as a kayak guide in the Abel Tasman and this is my fav campsite of them all.
Walk and Kayak

Isolated and stunning. Nearby Seal Colony and Separation Point a very worthy side trip. Kayak access is limited here as hired kayaks generally aren't allowed up this far. But if you have your own kayak or are walking, do pop in here for a looksy :)

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2016

Cymen Crick
Nice trail but a bit busy for my liking.
Mutton Cove was quiet and beautiful.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2016

Melissa Loose
This is such a great spot to base yourself for a few days - at the top of the park so less visitors...my favourite!
A nice walk in from Totaranui (2 hrs). at Anapai Bay look for the "Navigator" rock which looks like a face looking out to sea and guarding the area. Then another hour on to Mutton Cove. You can do day trips to the separation point seal colony (we saw seals sunbathing on rocks on the way a short distance north of the campsite) as well as at the colony itself which is right on a rocky outcrop which divides Golden and Tasman Bays. Stunning views. From here it's another hour or so to the lovely Whariwharangi beach and the historic hut/old homestead there. Even though we stayed at the campsite in January, at the height of the tourist season...the campsite didn't feel crowded, there was plenty of room and right on the beach.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2013

Laksmi C

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Medium Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping only Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.
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 Stay Duration	2 nights Maximum Stay Duration How many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 2 nights You may stay up to two nights in a row.	Maximum Stay Duration How many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 2 nights You may stay up to two nights in a row.
Maximum Sites Available	16 to 20 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 16 to 20 sites There are between sixteen and twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 16 to 20 sites There are between sixteen and twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Treat, boil or filter water.	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Treat, boil or filter water.
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	Booking is Required Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance.
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.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
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.
Vehicle Access	No vehicle access Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Great Walk Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.
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.
Campfire Rules	Fires permitted (in designated sites) Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires permitted (in designated sites) Open air fires are allowed only in the provided fireplaces. Open air fires are not allowed if a total fire ban is currently in place. A fireplace is provided.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires permitted (in designated sites) Open air fires are allowed only in the provided fireplaces. Open air fires are not allowed if a total fire ban is currently in place. A fireplace is provided.
Toilet	Public toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public.