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Nikau Cove Campsite

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Nikau Cove Campsite

Kenepuru Sound

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10 Rankers Reviews

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Nikau Cove Camping Ground

P. Brady

Nikau Cove Camping Ground

P. Brady

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Information

Nikau Cove Campsite

This flat campsite is in a sheltered bay and offers a good base for exploring the area by sea or land.

The Nikau Cove Camping Ground is a sheltered camping site which according to customer feedback has fantastic views overlooking the ocean. Narrow windy road, take care.

! 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

  • Bookings required

    Online bookings are required for stays at this campsite.  

    First published on 24 November 2025. Last reviewed on 2 December 2025.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Nikau Cove 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
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

Organisation

DOC Marlborough

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds

Categories
  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

Not Operating

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.19568331

174.0500167

Latitude
-41.19568331
Longitude
174.0500167

Websites
Feature Value Info

Overnight Camping Site Cost

  • Low Cost Camping Low Cost Camping

Overnight Camping Site Cost

What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight?

Low Cost Camping

Low Cost Camping

You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.

Overnight Stay Rules

  • Camping and any vehicle Camping and any vehicle

Overnight Stay Rules

What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite?

Camping and any vehicle

Camping and any vehicle

You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.

Campsite Managing Organisation

  • DOC Managed DOC Managed

Campsite Managing Organisation

What type of organisation operates this campsite?

DOC Managed

DOC Managed

This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.

Original

Maximum Sites Available

  • 6 to 10 sites

Maximum Sites Available

How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in?

6 to 10 sites

There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in.

6 sites

Water Supply

  • Water supply available

Water Supply

Is there fresh water available?

Water supply available

A supply of fresh water is available.

Untreated water. Boil or treat water before drinking.

Booking Required

  • First Come, First Served

Booking Required

Is 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

  • Dogs allowed Dogs allowed

Dogs

Does this establishment allow dogs?

Dogs allowed

Dogs allowed

The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash.

Dogs with permit allowed ph 03 520 3002. Must be on a leash.

DOC Campsite Category

  • DOC Standard Campsite

DOC Campsite Category

What 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

  • Public toilet

Toilet

Is there a toilet available?

Public toilet

There are toilet facilities available to the general public.

Long drop toilet only

Reviews

    • Adventure at its best.

      Icon__personDanielle

    • Fab location on the shores of the Sound.

      Icon__personKasia Robshaw

    • Very basic, cheap, nice views of the Sounds.

      Icon__personTon Franke

    • Fantastic location, great view, great price.

      Icon__personDermot Bryne

    • Such a nice spot, and could have been perfect.

      Icon__personLoesje

    3.7 10 Reviews Analysis

  • The site is currently closed because the road suffered a slip

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2022

    Gina Schopfer 's avatar

    Gina Schopfer

  • Nice clean basic DOC camp secluded away from road 200m with 3 sites at waters edge and three in wooded area.

    Wonderful view and we clammed at low tide. Pit toilet.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2014

    Mike R's avatar

    Mike R

  • Such a nice spot, and could have been perfect.

    But unfortunately a bunch of people pitched a whole village here, with an annoying amount of alcohol and noise, so didn't sleep untill 3am. Looks like they were staying here for weeks, and possibly they come here every year. So watch it. No fun at all :) (for us at least)

    1 minute down the road is another campsite (Picnic Bay), we picked the wrong one ;).

    Only negative camping-experience in NZ, and it wasn't for the campsite.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2013

    Loesje's avatar

    Loesje

  • Very basic, cheap, nice views of the Sounds.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2012

    Ton Franke's avatar

    Ton Franke

  • Adventure at its best.

    Located in the middle of nowhere, but definitely worth the travel.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2012

    Danielle's avatar

    Danielle

  • Small, great location, close to Portage Hotel.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2011

    Richard Broughton's avatar

    Richard Broughton

  • Fab location on the shores of the Sound.

    Great views, toilets clean and well maintained.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2011

    Kasia Robshaw's avatar

    Kasia Robshaw

  • Great spot with fresh water, compost toilet and spectacular views!

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2009

    rowan bryant's avatar

    rowan bryant

  • A beautiful view of the nature at the end of the queen charlotte track

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2009

    Bert Wierzy's avatar

    Bert Wierzy

  • Fantastic location, great view, great price.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2009

    Dermot Bryne's avatar

    Dermot Bryne