Russel Ord
Russel Ord
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Camp next to the beach. Fish, walk, picnic, or simply sit and enjoy the roar of the waves.
Take in the beautiful Cloudy Bay area, great walking on the beach, not far from Blenheim.
Rarangi 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? 16 to 20 sites There are between sixteen and twenty camping/parking sites available to stay overnight in. 20 sites |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. |
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? ![]() Dogs allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Dogs permitted with DOC permit. Keep your dog on a leash at all times and clean up after it. |
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. |
✓ Easy to find
✓ Clean toilets
✓ Affordable
✓ Great location by the water
✓ Safe for solo female travelers
𐄂 No swimming or boogie boarding
𐄂 Cold showers only
Great spot, Parked up under the trees.
Great little spot.
Upgraded campsite and facilities excellent.
Very nice site.
Really loved it here!
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 5 |
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17% |
9/10 | 13 |
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45% |
8/10 | 4 |
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14% |
7/10 | 4 |
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14% |
6/10 | 1 |
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3% |
5/10 | 1 |
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3% |
4/10 | 1 |
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3% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4.0/5
Nice site - easy to find, even at night (when we turned up).
Can't give full marks as didn't use facilities but was quiet even though surprisingly busy
Reviewed 4 months ago
5.0/5
Looks nice and clean.
A woman told us to go 10min south to the river to wairau diversion reserve. Before the bridge go left,ignore the signs that forbid camping,because just a few meters further there are signs of freedom camping. GREAT freedom Camping area at the River.Toilets at the end of the road by the sea.nice view over river,sea and mountains
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Great little spot.
We pulled in late after getting off the ferry in Picton and it was easy to find. In March it was free. Cold showers and toilets very clean. Bit of an issue with inconsiderate people parking and taking up too much space so you might need to be a bit creative to find a spot
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Site is a mixture of gravel and grass with pine trees on the pebbly dunes of the pebbly beach.
Beach itself was pretty dumpy so no swimming or boogie boarding possible.
Cold shower was nice and toilets were clean. Not the prettiest site and no view to speak of
Very accessible
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Great location right on the water, nearby short walks.
Tidy area, clean toilets and a bonus (cold) shower. Well done DOC 10$pp what more could you want!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Lovely place, directly at the beach, clean facilities, stunning area.
The only missing thing was an sitting area.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
We stayed here because the wairau diversion Reserve is now closed for all camping was a lovely place to stay tucked under large Cliffs beautiful beach amazing old stone staircase to climb, lookout at
the top to bay round the corner which was beautiful
nice clean toilets
water supply available for drinking
all in all a lovely stay
This doc camp as not on the doc website so you can't pay online there was a lady there in the morning taking the $10 per person per night tariff
On the way out back to State Highway 1 you will drive past the whites Bay doc camp looks very exposed but you could park close to the beach with a view of the beach this camp is $15 per person per night and you can pay online
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Great campsite, felt safe as a solo female traveller, handful of other vans here when I stayed in Winter 2022.
Beach just behind the trees so could hear the waves which was nice, very quiet spot in general. Clean toilets too. Much better than staying at any of the rather lacklustre holiday parks in Blenheim!
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.5/5
Really nice spot next to scenic rugged beach (too rough for swimming but stunning scenery).
Lots of spaces, price was $8 per person to be paid by cash. Clean flushing toilets, sinks, and even a couple of cold showers. Would definitely stay here again, and easier access than going over the extremely long and windey gravel road to Robin Hood bay (which had no taps). Has walks to do nearby too. Also noticed fewer mosquitos here than at other sites which was a bonus
Reviewed over 2 years ago
3.5/5
Great place to stay for the night much nicer than other small doc campsites.
Lots of people staying there and lovely doc host. Good clean toilets. Beach was very rough when we went.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
4.5/5
Great spot, Parked up under the trees.
Pebble beach, cold showers and clean toilets. DOC host was lovely, told us about the glow worms and the pirate style cove around the corner, made the night stay even better. Nice and quiet, was a great first night in a DOC site
Reviewed over 4 years ago
3.0/5
It is what it is......
cold shower is somewhat of a nice touch next to the ocean. Peaceful, if you are on a budget then just stay here.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Nice site - easy to find, even at night (when we turned up).
Can't give full marks as didn't use facilities but was quiet even though surprisingly busy
Reviewed 4 months ago
5.0/5
Looks nice and clean.
A woman told us to go 10min south to the river to wairau diversion reserve. Before the bridge go left,ignore the signs that forbid camping,because just a few meters further there are signs of freedom camping. GREAT freedom Camping area at the River.Toilets at the end of the road by the sea.nice view over river,sea and mountains
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Great little spot.
We pulled in late after getting off the ferry in Picton and it was easy to find. In March it was free. Cold showers and toilets very clean. Bit of an issue with inconsiderate people parking and taking up too much space so you might need to be a bit creative to find a spot
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Site is a mixture of gravel and grass with pine trees on the pebbly dunes of the pebbly beach.
Beach itself was pretty dumpy so no swimming or boogie boarding possible.
Cold shower was nice and toilets were clean. Not the prettiest site and no view to speak of
Very accessible
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Great location right on the water, nearby short walks.
Tidy area, clean toilets and a bonus (cold) shower. Well done DOC 10$pp what more could you want!
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Lovely place, directly at the beach, clean facilities, stunning area.
The only missing thing was an sitting area.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.0/5
We stayed here because the wairau diversion Reserve is now closed for all camping was a lovely place to stay tucked under large Cliffs beautiful beach amazing old stone staircase to climb, lookout at
the top to bay round the corner which was beautiful
nice clean toilets
water supply available for drinking
all in all a lovely stay
This doc camp as not on the doc website so you can't pay online there was a lady there in the morning taking the $10 per person per night tariff
On the way out back to State Highway 1 you will drive past the whites Bay doc camp looks very exposed but you could park close to the beach with a view of the beach this camp is $15 per person per night and you can pay online
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Great campsite, felt safe as a solo female traveller, handful of other vans here when I stayed in Winter 2022.
Beach just behind the trees so could hear the waves which was nice, very quiet spot in general. Clean toilets too. Much better than staying at any of the rather lacklustre holiday parks in Blenheim!
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.5/5
Really nice spot next to scenic rugged beach (too rough for swimming but stunning scenery).
Lots of spaces, price was $8 per person to be paid by cash. Clean flushing toilets, sinks, and even a couple of cold showers. Would definitely stay here again, and easier access than going over the extremely long and windey gravel road to Robin Hood bay (which had no taps). Has walks to do nearby too. Also noticed fewer mosquitos here than at other sites which was a bonus
Reviewed over 2 years ago
3.5/5
Great place to stay for the night much nicer than other small doc campsites.
Lots of people staying there and lovely doc host. Good clean toilets. Beach was very rough when we went.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
4.5/5
Great spot, Parked up under the trees.
Pebble beach, cold showers and clean toilets. DOC host was lovely, told us about the glow worms and the pirate style cove around the corner, made the night stay even better. Nice and quiet, was a great first night in a DOC site
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.5/5
Very good place !
It’s 8$ pp.
You have toilet, water and cold shower. It’s clean.
Behind the Doc you have a beach with black sand. And they are wormcave and a view point.
Ranger is very nice.
Be careful there are few sandflies and mostiquos.
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.5/5
Really loved it here!
Clean, quiet, and right by the water. Cold showers available.
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.5/5
February - We had a great one-night stay, although very windy.
When we arrived, a volunteer from DOC came by to inform us about the place and explain a lot of walks and caves with glow worms near the area. Amazing!
The campsite is right next to a beautiful, long beach with dark sand. Sunrise over the sea and sunset over the mountains. We enjoyed!
The facilites were great, clean flush toilets, cold shower (not the worst I've had) and sinks. A lot of campers when we were here, both tents, campervans and motorhomes. Easy access and worth the money. We had a Conservation Campsite Pass.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.5/5
Very nice campsite close to Picton.
Good and clean facilities (toilets - we didn't use the shower).
Lovely DOC manager who recommended to us to enjoy 'free' glowworme caves next to the campsite and to enjoy sunrise on the beach early in the morning.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
5.0/5
Very nice site.
Love the way it is sectioned out for different sized campers and tent sites. Very nice toilets block with a shower..cold but if you need one..better than nothing :) Nice easy walk to the beach. Close to the ferry, which makes it a nice spot to either start your adventure in the South Island or to end it.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
Brillant camp, close to beach, hard stands for big vans, clean grounds, toilets and cold showers.
Manager a lovely man and pets welcome.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.5/5
Upgraded campsite and facilities excellent.
Right next to the beach. Can get a bit windy but can pick your spot. Camp hosts in attendance to collect fees. Good walks along beach. Good stopping point prior to, or after taking picton ferry
Reviewed over 7 years ago
4.5/5
The campsite itself is nice and simple.
Clean bathrooms and a clean cold shower. The host is very sweet and she is informative. The surroundings at this site are amazing, and really the reason why you should visit. Green hills and a peaceful coastline. You can't see the ocean from your campsite, but just pull a chair a bit up by a few feet and your view is amazing. Take the hike into Whites Bay for a workout and breathtaking views. It takes about 45 minutes to a hour each way, but longer if you want to enjoy the beautiful sandy beach at Whites Bay. Also, there are stairs next to the campsite leading to an amazing view and a small beach. This is a great spot for a night for a hike and after wine tasting.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
3.5/5
OK spot, sea nearby and so are a few walking tracks.
Be aware that the one to White Bay from the campsite is a straight up climb, take plenty of water. Toilets are reasonable, cold showers. Blenheim and Picton areas are nearby for exploring.
Reviewed about 8 years ago
3.0/5
It is what it is......
cold shower is somewhat of a nice touch next to the ocean. Peaceful, if you are on a budget then just stay here.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
We spent a night in December and found it very clean, directly on the beach, it cost $12.50 for two.
Was definitely worth the drive out of Blenheim!
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.5/5
Got here by accident, it was not on our list, but how happy we were to discover this charming end!
The campsite is nice and clean, although in vicinity of the village. Nearby walks and sunrise at the ocean are not to be missed!
Reviewed over 9 years ago
2.0/5
Very open, dusty site.
Amenities clean and modern, beach no good for swimming.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
2.5/5
A strangely set out camp that causes restrictions as to the number of campers and where one can park.
The fencing aarrangement has obviously been designed by a Govt Servant, who hasn't a clue what he or she was doing. In windy conditions or when vehicles enter and leave the park, it is a very dusty . The only thing going for the site is the clean toilets and being by the sea.
Reviewed over 12 years ago
4.0/5
A great place to stop before/after touring the wineries.
Right on the beach with few amenities but an idyllic spot with cliff walk to Monkey Bay.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
3.5/5
$6pp.
Good clean site. Toilets. Well planned, fenced off bays for parking.
Reviewed over 14 years ago
5.0/5
great place but the wc not as clean.
Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in November 2009