Pelorus Bridge Campground - Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Pelorus Bridge Campground

Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

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Accommodations

Photos

The drive into the campsite
Loads of walks
A dip in the freezing Pelorus River - awesome!
Pelorus Bridge Camping Ground
Grab an ice cream

Information

Pelorus Bridge Campground

Camp on the banks of the Te Hoiere/Pelorus River amongst towering kahikatea, beech and rimu trees. Walk, swim, fish, kayak, relax.

A serviced camping ground with hot showers, kitchen with stunning deck and views over the river. Powered sites available. Old kahikatea trees tower over the grassed camping area and the beautiful Pelorus River flows alongside. It makes for a refreshing swim at any time of the day. Lots of walk options. Enjoy a drink and something to eat from the cafe which is open year round.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Pelorus Bridge Campground is categorised as a DOC Serviced Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.

DOC Serviced Campsite

Serviced campsites have a wide range of facilities and services. Flush toilets, tap water that could be treated or untreated, kitchen/cooking bench, hot showers, rubbish collection and road access for all types of vehicles. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Serviced campsites may have laundry facilities, barbecues, fireplaces, cookers and picnic tables.

Feature Value Value
Unpowered Site Adult $20.00 per night
Unpowered Site Child $10.00 per night
Unpowered Site Infant $0.00 per night
Powered Site Adult $23.00 per night
Powered Site Child $11.50 per night
Powered 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 IslandMarlboroughHavelock

Categories

  • Activity__camping_grounds_holiday_parksCamping Grounds

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.2994379623685

173.570947962952

Take a peak
Latitude
-41.2994379623685
Longitude
173.570947962952

Websites

Maps

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Reviews

    ✓ Beautiful riverside location

    ✓ Excellent facilities

    ✓ Clean hot showers

    ✓ Friendly staff

    ✓ Great for kids with easy walks

    𐄂 DOC pass not accepted

    𐄂 Powered sites less desirable

    • Nice, great views.
    • Lovely site in a lovely place.
    • Excellent site with superbly manacured grounds.
    • Amazing location and campsite!
    • Get here earlier for a scenic spot.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 42
    38%
    9/10 30
    27%
    8/10 23
    21%
    7/10 11
    10%
    6/10 1
    1%
    5/10 2
    2%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 1
    1%
    1/10 2
    2%
  • 4.5/5

    Very cool campsite, with kitchen and hot shower which is agreeable.

    The staff is great there. Prefer the non power camp, it’s on the good side of the river, which is accessible directly from the campsite.

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    J
    JD's avatar

    JD

  • 0.5/5

    Doc's pass doesn't work at this Doc campsite?

    22 per head.. disappointed

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    Y
    Yann's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Hot water showers, you can ask and the campground manager will lend you tubes to go down the river.

    There is a kitchen with gas . Some great tracks to do with small kids. Loved this campground

    Reviewed 4 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Turned up late arvo without a booking, after hours check in very easy and simple.

    Beautiful and well maintained site, clean showers and kitchen. Very pleased with our stay, 10/10

    Reviewed 6 months ago

  • 4.5/5

    A nice place to stay.

    To be honest, the campground for unpowered sites is much nicer (especially alongside the river) and has better facilities than the powered sites campground. Powered sites (just cross the bridge on the main road) have more privacy.

    Unlimited hot showers, good water pressure. Clean toilets. Water bottle refill station next to the office. Nice walks from the campsite.

    Reviewed 7 months ago

    A
    Aaron's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    We'd booked a powered site but on arrival the lady at reception recommended the unpowered sites right on the river.

    SO glad we took her advice - Got an idyllic pitch (39) and swam in the river right there. Even better swimming spots over the road too.

    Great facilities and landscaping. A few sandflies but heyho.

    The powered sites are away from the river and in not much more than a car park under trees (giving the lower reviews on here).

    Reviewed about 1 year ago and experienced in January 2024

  • 5.0/5

    Best DOC campsite site we’ve stayed at so far.

    Clean with a shelter for cooking and nice camping spots right by the river.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    K
    Kelsey's avatar
  • 3.5/5

    I got here after dark and left well before dawn to catch the ferry north, so can't comment much, but it seemed pretty nice.

    Powered site seemed a little small but thankfully there were just a couple other vans there when I came in May. The toilets were fine and the shower was nice and hot. Would love to come back when it's warmer and spend some time hiking the nearby tracks.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    B
    Basil's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    This is one of our favourite doc camps in NZ.

    We often free camp, but always book and pay for this spot. The riverside location surrounded by established native bush is stunning. The river is beautiful to swim in if the conditions are right. Beautiful walks directly from the camp. Spacious shared cooking area with gas, drinkable water. Hot showers too if you’re not so keen on a river swim.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Amazing location and campsite!

    Excellent facilities. Surrounded by lovely short walks through the bush. Highly recommend campsite 16 as it was private with a view of the river. Whole campground is great though. 10/10!

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    D
    Dani's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    great facilities, nice host.

    Circle loop is beautiful as well

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    M
    Merk's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Definitely 10/10.

    Super friendly owner and personell at the cafe (good food!). River is good for swimming, although wouldn't let children go in becouse of the current. Super chill camping spots all around, good facilities and some beautiful walks. A 10 minute walk through the forest gets you to the "1st waterfall" with many glowworms at night!

    We paid $20 per person (unpowered), great value for money.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    J
    Jouke's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Well organized campsite beside the river.

    Decent hot showers and kitchen area with gas cookers (no pots/utensils etc so BYO). Washer and dryer $4. There is a cafe onsite too if you didn't want to make food (we didn't try it out though). Can drink the water at the campsite. The water from the kitchen tasted good but the water from the outside taps tasted quite weird so drink from the inside taps. Scenic spots by the river, would come again. Would also recommend the nearby Emerald pools walk.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

    E
    Emer's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    We absolutely loved our stay at Pelorus Bridge, we wish we could have stayed longer.

    Beautiful scenery, fabulous walks, awesome swimming holes and clean showers/toilets, and extra bonus there's a delightful cafe at the entrance to the park. The pies and slices are just delicious. We will be back for sure.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    We stayed here last night and the spot was amazing.

    Great clean facilities. Showers were on timers so had to keep pushing the button for more water. But beautiful quiet spot.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

    N
    Nicole's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    One of the nicest campgrounds I've ever stayed in.

    Stayed last year in April and it was super busy. This time I had the whole. Park to myself. Crazy. Awesome facilities. Nice hikes close by. Really amazing spot

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2020

    D
    Dan's avatar

    Dan

  • 5.0/5

    Second time we have stayed there, it’s lovely, we parked right next to the river on a non powered site for two nights, the kitchens, toilets & showers spotless, even a washing machine and dryer.

    Quite a few sand flies though.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2020

  • 3.0/5

    We stayed on a powered site with our campervan, but this was in a separate area to the main campsite and had no facilities other than a toilet and shower which were quite open so were absolutely freezing

    . Didn't feel like a paid-for campsite apart from having power, we stayed in better areas when freedom camping. Quite disappointed overall. But close to nice walks and impressive scenery

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2019

    B
    Becca's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Very cool campsite, with kitchen and hot shower which is agreeable.

    The staff is great there. Prefer the non power camp, it’s on the good side of the river, which is accessible directly from the campsite.

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    J
    JD's avatar

    JD

  • 0.5/5

    Doc's pass doesn't work at this Doc campsite?

    22 per head.. disappointed

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    Y
    Yann's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Hot water showers, you can ask and the campground manager will lend you tubes to go down the river.

    There is a kitchen with gas . Some great tracks to do with small kids. Loved this campground

    Reviewed 4 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Turned up late arvo without a booking, after hours check in very easy and simple.

    Beautiful and well maintained site, clean showers and kitchen. Very pleased with our stay, 10/10

    Reviewed 6 months ago

  • 4.5/5

    A nice place to stay.

    To be honest, the campground for unpowered sites is much nicer (especially alongside the river) and has better facilities than the powered sites campground. Powered sites (just cross the bridge on the main road) have more privacy.

    Unlimited hot showers, good water pressure. Clean toilets. Water bottle refill station next to the office. Nice walks from the campsite.

    Reviewed 7 months ago

    A
    Aaron's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    We'd booked a powered site but on arrival the lady at reception recommended the unpowered sites right on the river.

    SO glad we took her advice - Got an idyllic pitch (39) and swam in the river right there. Even better swimming spots over the road too.

    Great facilities and landscaping. A few sandflies but heyho.

    The powered sites are away from the river and in not much more than a car park under trees (giving the lower reviews on here).

    Reviewed about 1 year ago and experienced in January 2024

  • 5.0/5

    Best DOC campsite site we’ve stayed at so far.

    Clean with a shelter for cooking and nice camping spots right by the river.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    K
    Kelsey's avatar
  • 3.5/5

    I got here after dark and left well before dawn to catch the ferry north, so can't comment much, but it seemed pretty nice.

    Powered site seemed a little small but thankfully there were just a couple other vans there when I came in May. The toilets were fine and the shower was nice and hot. Would love to come back when it's warmer and spend some time hiking the nearby tracks.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    B
    Basil's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    This is one of our favourite doc camps in NZ.

    We often free camp, but always book and pay for this spot. The riverside location surrounded by established native bush is stunning. The river is beautiful to swim in if the conditions are right. Beautiful walks directly from the camp. Spacious shared cooking area with gas, drinkable water. Hot showers too if you’re not so keen on a river swim.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Amazing location and campsite!

    Excellent facilities. Surrounded by lovely short walks through the bush. Highly recommend campsite 16 as it was private with a view of the river. Whole campground is great though. 10/10!

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    D
    Dani's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    great facilities, nice host.

    Circle loop is beautiful as well

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    M
    Merk's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Definitely 10/10.

    Super friendly owner and personell at the cafe (good food!). River is good for swimming, although wouldn't let children go in becouse of the current. Super chill camping spots all around, good facilities and some beautiful walks. A 10 minute walk through the forest gets you to the "1st waterfall" with many glowworms at night!

    We paid $20 per person (unpowered), great value for money.

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    J
    Jouke's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Well organized campsite beside the river.

    Decent hot showers and kitchen area with gas cookers (no pots/utensils etc so BYO). Washer and dryer $4. There is a cafe onsite too if you didn't want to make food (we didn't try it out though). Can drink the water at the campsite. The water from the kitchen tasted good but the water from the outside taps tasted quite weird so drink from the inside taps. Scenic spots by the river, would come again. Would also recommend the nearby Emerald pools walk.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

    E
    Emer's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    We absolutely loved our stay at Pelorus Bridge, we wish we could have stayed longer.

    Beautiful scenery, fabulous walks, awesome swimming holes and clean showers/toilets, and extra bonus there's a delightful cafe at the entrance to the park. The pies and slices are just delicious. We will be back for sure.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    We stayed here last night and the spot was amazing.

    Great clean facilities. Showers were on timers so had to keep pushing the button for more water. But beautiful quiet spot.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

    N
    Nicole's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    One of the nicest campgrounds I've ever stayed in.

    Stayed last year in April and it was super busy. This time I had the whole. Park to myself. Crazy. Awesome facilities. Nice hikes close by. Really amazing spot

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2020

    D
    Dan's avatar

    Dan

  • 5.0/5

    Second time we have stayed there, it’s lovely, we parked right next to the river on a non powered site for two nights, the kitchens, toilets & showers spotless, even a washing machine and dryer.

    Quite a few sand flies though.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2020

  • 3.0/5

    We stayed on a powered site with our campervan, but this was in a separate area to the main campsite and had no facilities other than a toilet and shower which were quite open so were absolutely freezing

    . Didn't feel like a paid-for campsite apart from having power, we stayed in better areas when freedom camping. Quite disappointed overall. But close to nice walks and impressive scenery

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2019

    B
    Becca's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Best campersite ever.

    The best we were in our 14 days in Campervan. Incredible beautiful and very nice people. At night you can visit a glew world waterfall, and experience that is really unique! I fall in love with this place.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2019

    P
    Pedro's avatar
  • 0.5/5

    It was a total ripoff.

    We arrive in the afternoon and the owner told us he only had a powered campsite. With our little trailer we can’t use power but as we were traveling with a baby we didn’t wanna drive on. But then we saw the campsite. I is just a parking lot with gravel in the bush next to the road. No where to sit or crawl around for the baby. The powers campsite have nothing to do with the actual campground. It’s a 15minute walk there. You didn’t have access to any of the facilities. As we complained the owner didn’t seem very interested. We went to the campground and saw a lot of space and more and more people coming. The owner only wanted to make the most money to squeeze es many tents as possible on the small lawn area. Please don’t go there. It’s all about making money out of this beautiful place. It’s such a pity.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2019

    C
    Clara's avatar