Number of tent sites - 30.
Adult |
$10/night |
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Child |
$5/night |
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Camp within your own touch of paradise next to the sea. Enjoy the stunning wildlife and magnificent scenery.
Beautiful campsite beside a gravel beach not far from Lake Grassmere. Enjoy the sea and sun, or walk along the beach at low tide to Cape Campbell Lighthouse. Toilets, water and cold showers available.
No fires permitted.
Marfells Beach 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.
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.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC MarlboroughCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim |
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Categories |
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Operating Season And Hours |
All year. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat 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 |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat 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 |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in. |
Maximum Sites Available |
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Maximum Sites AvailableHow many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? More than 20 sites There are more than twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in. 30 sites |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Boil before drinking |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? Cold shower At least one cold shower is available. |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump 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 |
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Booking RequiredIs 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. |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes 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 |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat 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. |
WiFi Internet |
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WiFi InternetWhat type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
✓ Stunning location
✓ Friendly people
✓ New facilities
✓ Quiet but safe
✓ Great beach access
𐄂 Basic amenities
𐄂 Cold showers
Loved it.
Road closed sign at highway turn-off.
A popular place by the beach.
Right next to the beach along a strip of grass.
Camp right on the edge of the beach.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 20 |
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30% |
9/10 | 19 |
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28% |
8/10 | 17 |
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25% |
7/10 | 6 |
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9% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 1 |
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1% |
4/10 | 1 |
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1% |
3/10 | 1 |
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1% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 2 |
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3% |
5.0/5
This is just an amazing doc campsite.
Right in front is the beach. If you want you can go for a little hike or a little swim. The amenities are very clean and there's a sheltered big area to wash your dishes.
Reviewed 9 days ago
4.0/5
Absolutely stunning location, clean campsite and really friendly people.
Loved falling asleep to the sound of the water from the beach at night. Would stay here again.
Reviewed 11 months ago
5.0/5
Quiet place but enough people to make it feel safe.
Elevated site above beach with good views
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Beautiful place to be.
Facilities are completely new.
Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in November 2022
5.0/5
Amazing beach front camp ground.
Basic amenities with flush toilets and cold showers. DOC camp host was on site late Jan when we were there. Taking people for bird watching walks etc. Shallow for swimming. Kids loves building driftwood teepees.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
2.5/5
Nice place but basic facilities and could be kept cleaner.
No soap! Difficult to figure out how to book in, but we followed the instructions and put the slip in the box and the other part on our windscreen. We had a DOC pass so no $ to pay. No idea or signage there was anyone to see on booking in. Next morning we got a lecture from a very rude woman who apparently was the camp commendant telling us she didn't know who we were and we should have seen her on the way in. How about some signage explaining that on the way in. Also we are paying customers so don't expect to be treated in a rude manner. DOC you can do better!
Reviewed over 2 years ago
5.0/5
Fantastic campsite, the beach on your doorstep, toilet, cold shower, me and my beautiful wife, perfect.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
5.0/5
Loved it.
Basic DOC site with better than average facilities and a great location. Great place to just chill out.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2021
5.0/5
Awesome DoC campsite by the beach.
This is how campsites should be, great friendly camp manager, awesome location next the beach and plenty of sites.
Pros: cheap, great location, wildlife, great sites with every one with a water tap. Friendly helpful camp manager.
Cons: basic facilities, but you’d expect that given it’s a standard site. Can get rather busy with day trippers on the weekends taking up sites for a picnic.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
4.5/5
A popular place by the beach.
Large area ,plenty of places to park. We parked on the higher ground at the end by the new toilet block. Great views . A great stop off .
Reviewed over 3 years ago
4.5/5
Beautiful location with parking spots right on the water.
We found a wonderful private spot to park near the higher toilet block and it was magical to fall asleep to the sound of the waves and wake up to a beautiful sunrise. Toilet block was clean and simple. Cold showers which we didn't use. Bring your own hand soap and drinking water or boil the water provided. Highly recommend this place, only reason to not give a 10 was that it was very windy when we were there but still fabulous!
Reviewed about 4 years ago
4.5/5
As others have described a beautiful stretch of quiet sandy coastline with lots of grass sites looking directly onto the beach.
In July 2020 looked as tho some sites were boggy. Clean flushing toilets. Medium height bushes provide some shade and privacy and some picnic tables available. No hot or potable water. If you are short on green vegetables take a walk beyond the end of the road .... there’s self sown silver beet all over!
Reviewed about 4 years ago and experienced in July 2020
5.0/5
This is just an amazing doc campsite.
Right in front is the beach. If you want you can go for a little hike or a little swim. The amenities are very clean and there's a sheltered big area to wash your dishes.
Reviewed 9 days ago
4.0/5
Absolutely stunning location, clean campsite and really friendly people.
Loved falling asleep to the sound of the water from the beach at night. Would stay here again.
Reviewed 11 months ago
5.0/5
Quiet place but enough people to make it feel safe.
Elevated site above beach with good views
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Beautiful place to be.
Facilities are completely new.
Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in November 2022
5.0/5
Amazing beach front camp ground.
Basic amenities with flush toilets and cold showers. DOC camp host was on site late Jan when we were there. Taking people for bird watching walks etc. Shallow for swimming. Kids loves building driftwood teepees.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
2.5/5
Nice place but basic facilities and could be kept cleaner.
No soap! Difficult to figure out how to book in, but we followed the instructions and put the slip in the box and the other part on our windscreen. We had a DOC pass so no $ to pay. No idea or signage there was anyone to see on booking in. Next morning we got a lecture from a very rude woman who apparently was the camp commendant telling us she didn't know who we were and we should have seen her on the way in. How about some signage explaining that on the way in. Also we are paying customers so don't expect to be treated in a rude manner. DOC you can do better!
Reviewed over 2 years ago
5.0/5
Fantastic campsite, the beach on your doorstep, toilet, cold shower, me and my beautiful wife, perfect.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
5.0/5
Loved it.
Basic DOC site with better than average facilities and a great location. Great place to just chill out.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2021
5.0/5
Awesome DoC campsite by the beach.
This is how campsites should be, great friendly camp manager, awesome location next the beach and plenty of sites.
Pros: cheap, great location, wildlife, great sites with every one with a water tap. Friendly helpful camp manager.
Cons: basic facilities, but you’d expect that given it’s a standard site. Can get rather busy with day trippers on the weekends taking up sites for a picnic.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
4.5/5
A popular place by the beach.
Large area ,plenty of places to park. We parked on the higher ground at the end by the new toilet block. Great views . A great stop off .
Reviewed over 3 years ago
4.5/5
As others have described a beautiful stretch of quiet sandy coastline with lots of grass sites looking directly onto the beach.
In July 2020 looked as tho some sites were boggy. Clean flushing toilets. Medium height bushes provide some shade and privacy and some picnic tables available. No hot or potable water. If you are short on green vegetables take a walk beyond the end of the road .... there’s self sown silver beet all over!
Reviewed about 4 years ago and experienced in July 2020
4.5/5
Beautiful location with parking spots right on the water.
We found a wonderful private spot to park near the higher toilet block and it was magical to fall asleep to the sound of the waves and wake up to a beautiful sunrise. Toilet block was clean and simple. Cold showers which we didn't use. Bring your own hand soap and drinking water or boil the water provided. Highly recommend this place, only reason to not give a 10 was that it was very windy when we were there but still fabulous!
Reviewed about 4 years ago
4.0/5
Lovely little DOC-run campsite with two blocks of toilets and cold showers.
There are a few different areas suitable for campervan a or tents, most with water views.
Most sites face north/east so keep that in mind during windy weather.
Have stayed here twice and enjoyed it both times!
Reviewed over 4 years ago
5.0/5
Excellent DOC campsite.
$8 per adult with clean toilets and cold showers available.
Plenty of beach front sites, was nice to fall asleep listening to the waves.
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Right next to the beach along a strip of grass.
We arrived around 6pm and managed to get a pretty decent spot. There are two toilet blocks, one is older than the other, both with cold showers. Definitely worth the $8 pp a night, only downside is there is no drinking water available on site.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Camp right on the edge of the beach.
Road turns into a gravel track and paradise opens up.
Jeff, the camp host, is a lovely chap .... people like Jeff
looking after the site enables us to camp there. A very fine gentleman.
Two toilet blocks containing a cold shower in each.
The water must be boiled for at least 3 mins, filtered and treated.
I will go back to this late piece of heaven.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
0.5/5
We arrived late, location was actually quite nice.
The DOC guy made me uneasy on arrival and when I was filling out paperwork he asked for my pH number. Thinking nothing of it I asked if my husbands would be ok as I knew his off by heart. Thinking it was part of the booking process. Apparently if I have a husband he doesn't need my number... Yeah not a great start. Female with 3 kids and the camp manager makes a pass in the middle of the night. We made sure to set up between 2 ppl that would easily rouse if there was any disruption. A tent site with kids and 2 parents and a couple also in a tent. As far from the managers caravan as we could. Figured if anything dodge happened they'd hear it faster than a camper van. Internet was hit and miss too but I made sure friends knew where we were and what happened in case it turned to custard. Unless the current manager moves on we won't be back sadly. It was a nice location but isolated so not somewhere you want to be if you don't feel safe
Reviewed over 5 years ago
2.0/5
A great place to spend the night listening to the waves.
Beach grey sand and dolphins present. One set of toilets and showers very dirty and the other ok. DOC host extremely rude when I unknowingly presented my Campers conservation pass purchased from Rankers that it was not ok to be used that time of year. We had to pay 8 dollars each for the night. Have found the Campers conservation pass not worth the hassle as can't be used widely. The DOC host made a totally inappropriate comment to my partner about females. It is time he stopped doing this job.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.5/5
Amazing scenery, we got there at night and easily got a park away from others overlooking the ocean.
Clean flushing toilets and a cold shower available.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago and experienced in November 2018
3.5/5
Not a bad spot for the price.
Extremely busy though! We arrived at around 7 and barely managed to find a space for our tent. Everyone kind of Parks/tents up on the side of the road. As expected for the Christmas holidays though I guess. Beautiful beach. Quiet in the evenings. Be prepared to wake up to the squawking of guls at 5am! Clean toilets and a cold shower which was all we needed.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.5/5
Why do stupid people give a poor rating due to the conduct of other people at a campsite?
This rating system is for the campsite, not outside influences.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago and experienced in January 2018
0.5/5
Road closed sign at highway turn-off.
Didn’t venture any further. 😢
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.5/5
Felt very comfortable, great place for skinny dipping as it's it's quite isolated, Which we did in the middle of winter and it was still extravagant.
Waves a very big and scary but was really cool too and gave me adrenaline. Thought toilet was a shower, i wish it was a shower. we left 10 minutes after that. Neighbours were friendly they cooked us up some sallmon and sausages. Loved the experience !! you can't experience this anywhere else would highly recommend just shower beforehand.
Yours sincerly. Shalmon :)
Reviewed over 6 years ago
1.5/5
lovely place to camp and really enjoyed the beach, no a lot of space to camp and everyone is close together.
The guy was extremely rude and used disgusting language at us when we went into the toilet area. Put a dampen on the evening.
Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in April 2018
4.0/5
Glorious situation on the beach with friendly resident warden keeping things quiet despite the number of campers.
Cold shower works well for those without a solar bag.
No drinking water.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
Wonderful place: calm and directly at the sea, a little sheltered.
We just loved the sound of the waves at night. The toilets were clean.
Absolutely worth the drive!
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.5/5
Excellent location beside the beach, but be warned the best spots are taken quickly so get there early as it can very busy.
The toilets were clean and well maintained and the site warden was friendly and helpful and the walks from the site worth the effort.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.0/5
Busy site in summer.
clean toilets, bring your own shower. Friendly DOC warden. Fabulous sea view pitches lovely walks along the beach, lots of wildlife including the odd Hoon or two racing up and down the beach on quads and motorbikes. They don't do it for long. As with all free sites there is no entertainment so all fully quiet by 2100. If it's a clear night with no moon it's a very dark sky - fantastic for start gazing.
Reviewed over 6 years ago