Cowshed Bay Campsite
Pelorus Sound
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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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Cowshed Bay Campsite not suitable for any vehicle accommodation
Due to limited septic capacity, Cowshed Bay is no longer suitable for vehicle accommodation.
Picnic Bay, Nikau Cove and Kenepuru Head campsites further along Kenepuru Road are available for campervans (and other vehicles), and Kenepuru Head can be booked in advance.
Those walking and cycling the Queen Charlotte Track can still use Cowshed Bay.
First published on 16 December 2024. Last reviewed on 16 December 2024. -
Kenepuru Road open but under repair
Access by vehicle to DOC campsites and tracks accessible from Kenepuru Road is now open. Access by road is open to:
- Moetapu Bay Campsite
- Camp Bay Campsite
- Cowshed Bay Campsite
- Nikau Cove Campsite
- Picnic Bay Campsite
- Kenepuru Head Campsite
- Waimaru Campsite
- Queen Charlotte Track at Te Mahia, Torea and Kenepuru Saddles
- Mistletoe Bay Tracks
- Mount Stokes Track
Vehicles including towed boats or caravans must be less than 12.6 m long and 6 tonnes in weight.
These roads are still under repair due to storm damage with one lane and gravel sections present. Drivers should expect delays at any time.
For more information, see Emergency Management Public Information map or phone Marlborough Roads on 0800 213 213.
First published on 16 December 2022. Last reviewed on 31 December 2024.
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 | $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 |
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Organisation |
DOC MarlboroughCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds |
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Categories |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Not Operating | |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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3.5/5
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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5.0/5
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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4.0/5
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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5.0/5
Beautiful location, cold showers, excellent facilities - clean flush toilets, kitchen area, sinks and benches.
Sheltered too.
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4.0/5
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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5.0/5
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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3.5/5
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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3.0/5
Quite small and crowded, however we found a nice spot all the way up the top.
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1.0/5
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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3.5/5
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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5.0/5
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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4.0/5
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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5.0/5
Beautiful location, cold showers, excellent facilities - clean flush toilets, kitchen area, sinks and benches.
Sheltered too.
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4.0/5
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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5.0/5
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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3.5/5
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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5.0/5
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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3.0/5
Quite small and crowded, however we found a nice spot all the way up the top.
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4.0/5
Good toilet facility.
Nice birds on campground, nice views of the bay, paid $12.
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1.0/5
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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3.5/5
Worth the drive and what a drive it was.
Breathtaking. Site good but only one of two spots on the Sound.
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4.5/5
The lower sites (lefthand when coming from Picton) have views & direct access to lovely bay of Portage.
Very friendly host, "Ross".
