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This campsite offers a good base for exploring Pelorus Sound by boat and walking or mountain biking nearby tracks.
The Elaine Bay Camping Ground is right on the waterfront at Elaine Bay Recreation Reserve. A great place for fishing from the wharf and watersports. No fires permitted at any time.
Elaine 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.
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 ▷ Outer Marlborough Sounds |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Directions Pelorus Office |
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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. |
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. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Untreated water. Boil or treat it before drinking. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. |
✓ Scenic location
𐄂 Basic facilities
𐄂 Jellyfish in water
Beautiful location on Elaine Bay.
Stunning bay.
Really beautiful view from the camp.
$6 paid for nothing.
Nice spot on the water at a beautiful bay.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 10 |
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37% |
9/10 | 8 |
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30% |
8/10 | 5 |
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19% |
7/10 | 2 |
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7% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 2 |
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7% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4.5/5
Really beautiful view from the camp.
Paid cash $10 per person. The longdrop toilet was clean and surprisingly not smelly. Water is not potable. We went kayaking from a beach near this campsite, highly recommended!
Reviewed 23 days ago
5.0/5
Stunning location surrounded by nature (grass mostly don't get stuck on rainy days).
Stingrays swin around the jetty !!!!
$10/night/adult - basic facilities.
Reviewed 3 months ago
4.0/5
We planned to stay here but were also told about french pass so ended up driving onto there instead.
This one is very scenic but basic facilities (toilet only). The water was literally full of jellyfish so probably not a good place to swim.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.0/5
Very nice place absolutely love it thoe the app said fishing was good as a land base fisherman its not that good at all take lost of gear with you!
Once you get away from the sharks etc you might find something! Took me 5 days to catch a spotie 🙄
Reviewed over 3 years ago
5.0/5
Stingrays under the jetty, beautiful scenery, toilets composting but kept clean.
Amazing... Cannot rate high enough
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.5/5
A really lovely place surrounded by nature.
Only a few places on flat lawn, water and a long drop toilet available, also few tables. But no shops or anything else. Ideal for hiking, swimming and kayaking.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Elaine Bay was out favourite place to stay on our trip.
What an amazing view and a good place to explore the Marlborough Sounds from. Basic toilets however they are kept clean. No drinking water so needs to be boiled. The drive there is pretty difficult in a camper van and is a good hour and a bit off the state highway however couldn't have been more worth it!
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome spot and if you're after a unique view look up Explore Pelorus sea kayak tours.
We did a two day trip and rented kayak/camping gear ect. Was incredibly reasonable price wise and Neil who runs the operation is a real nice guy and gave us loads of tips and info regarding the French Pass area. Sorted us a hot shower, coffee and somewhere to leave our van whilst we were away. Can not recommend enough. One of the best experiences we had on our trip :)
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.5/5
Stunning bay.
For a good wake up, swim off the pies. Decent facilities. Bit crowded so arrive early in summer.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Nearly didn't review this place as I wanna keep,it all to myself!
Amazing winding road but worth it. Watching stingray from the jetty, great walks close by. Simple doc site but what more could you need. Will defo return.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
1.0/5
$6 paid for nothing.
You get only a dirty compostable toilet and water. The view was nice and a little walk to another bay is possible.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.5/5
Really beautiful view from the camp.
Paid cash $10 per person. The longdrop toilet was clean and surprisingly not smelly. Water is not potable. We went kayaking from a beach near this campsite, highly recommended!
Reviewed 23 days ago
5.0/5
Stunning location surrounded by nature (grass mostly don't get stuck on rainy days).
Stingrays swin around the jetty !!!!
$10/night/adult - basic facilities.
Reviewed 3 months ago
4.0/5
We planned to stay here but were also told about french pass so ended up driving onto there instead.
This one is very scenic but basic facilities (toilet only). The water was literally full of jellyfish so probably not a good place to swim.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.0/5
Very nice place absolutely love it thoe the app said fishing was good as a land base fisherman its not that good at all take lost of gear with you!
Once you get away from the sharks etc you might find something! Took me 5 days to catch a spotie 🙄
Reviewed over 3 years ago
5.0/5
Stingrays under the jetty, beautiful scenery, toilets composting but kept clean.
Amazing... Cannot rate high enough
Reviewed almost 4 years ago
4.5/5
A really lovely place surrounded by nature.
Only a few places on flat lawn, water and a long drop toilet available, also few tables. But no shops or anything else. Ideal for hiking, swimming and kayaking.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Elaine Bay was out favourite place to stay on our trip.
What an amazing view and a good place to explore the Marlborough Sounds from. Basic toilets however they are kept clean. No drinking water so needs to be boiled. The drive there is pretty difficult in a camper van and is a good hour and a bit off the state highway however couldn't have been more worth it!
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome spot and if you're after a unique view look up Explore Pelorus sea kayak tours.
We did a two day trip and rented kayak/camping gear ect. Was incredibly reasonable price wise and Neil who runs the operation is a real nice guy and gave us loads of tips and info regarding the French Pass area. Sorted us a hot shower, coffee and somewhere to leave our van whilst we were away. Can not recommend enough. One of the best experiences we had on our trip :)
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.5/5
Stunning bay.
For a good wake up, swim off the pies. Decent facilities. Bit crowded so arrive early in summer.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Nearly didn't review this place as I wanna keep,it all to myself!
Amazing winding road but worth it. Watching stingray from the jetty, great walks close by. Simple doc site but what more could you need. Will defo return.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome location.
The drive is a very windy drive out to here but well worth it. And it provides a great place to stay over on the way to French Pass which is a very spectacular drive. The camp has a short pier where we could see fish, sting rays, and jelly fish. We were here in April and had just two other campers by us. The long drop was very clean and there are two nice hikes near by, one of which is actually a nice MTB ride to Deep cove.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
Perfect spot to stay for one or two or even three nights.
Could have spent hours just watching all the huge stingrays from the jetty. In the night you can see the amazing luminescent plankton when touching the water. Also the stars and Milky Way are worth to spend the night there! Recommended!! The street to Elaine Bay isn't that bad at all.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
3.5/5
Nice spot on the water at a beautiful bay.
Road sealed all the way, only 1 long drop toilet, no cooking shelter facility. Camp was quite full in peak season (week after New Years) though still managed to get a spot.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.0/5
Beautiful location on Elaine Bay.
Little but nice DOC campsite, somewhat exposed to winds, but still worth it. Great views!
Reviewed about 9 years ago
3.5/5
Nice but smallish campground with a lovely view on the bay.
Relatively cheap kayak rental close by. The place has got several taps and a toilet.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
5.0/5
Our favourite camp spot of our trip.
Gorgeous view over Sound. The perfect swim from jetty in front of the campsite.
Not big, perhaps enough space for 20 campers but takes a bit of effort to get to it so wasn't full. Good toilet facilities , very clean and water. Whole site in centre of village and just looks like the village green! Fabulous view, what more do you need?
We loved it!
Reviewed almost 10 years ago
4.0/5
Small DOC camp with fabulous views, ideal spot to stay if driving to French Pass.
Watch if its windy though, the wind can come from all quarters. Don't know what Ann from Germany was expecting, it's a DOC camp for goodness sake, it's about getting back to basics. At least there is a toilet(and it was clean), saves people in their happy crappers fouling our beautiful countryside.
Reviewed almost 11 years ago
1.0/5
$6 paid for nothing.
You get only a dirty compostable toilet and water. The view was nice and a little walk to another bay is possible.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
5.0/5
Beautiful location, right on the shoreline.
Stayed in August, only 2 vans there. Long drop very clean and not smelly. Long, winding drive on sealed road, but completely worth it. Lovely walks around the Sound.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
1.0/5
Small, insufficient sites, full in summer.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2013
5.0/5
$6 per person a sweet bargain.
DOC camp right on bay, near small jetty. Clean long drop, fresh water tap only. Pair of large stingrays cruise underneath at dawn and dusk, clearest water ever. See the most amazing sunrise over the bay from window of your camper! Difficult drive to get here, but worth it. Ten stars!
Reviewed over 10 years ago
4.5/5
Very quiet, clean, small, nice DOC campsite with awesome views to the Sounds,
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
4.0/5
A wonderful spot beside the sea.
Take your plastic bag down when the mussel barge comes in and collect fresh mussels. Fish off the wharf. There is a huge tide fall between low and high tide. The camp site is not very level for large vehicles. Beware of high winds.
Reviewed almost 12 years ago and experienced in February 2010
4.5/5
Cheap and with a beautiful view, check before swimming, long drop stinky!
Reviewed almost 14 years ago