Picnic Bay Campsite

Kenepuru Sound

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Picnic Bay Camping Ground

Information

Picnic Bay Campsite

This is a scenic area with walking, sea kayaking, motor boating, kayaking, fishing and bird watching.

The Picnic Bay Camping Ground is right on the foreshore!! Turn off Queen Charlotte Drive into Kenepuru Rd past Portage to Picnic Bay, Kenepuru Sound. The road is narrow and winding. A wicked area for all water activities.

! 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 Marlborough Council Website for up to date road conditions

Notices

  • Kenepuru Road open but under repair

    Access by vehicle to DOC campsites and tracks accessible from Kenepuru Road is now open. Access by road is open to:

    • Moetapu Bay Campsite
    • Camp Bay Campsite
    • Cowshed Bay Campsite
    • Nikau Cove Campsite
    • Picnic Bay Campsite
    • Kenepuru Head Campsite
    • Waimaru Campsite
    • Queen Charlotte Track at Te Mahia, Torea and Kenepuru Saddles
    • Mistletoe Bay Tracks
    • Mount Stokes Track

    Vehicles including towed boats or caravans must be less than 12.6 m long and 6 tonnes in weight.

    These roads are still under repair due to storm damage with one lane and gravel sections present. Drivers should expect delays at any time.

    For more information, see Emergency Management Public Information map or phone Marlborough Roads on 0800 213 213

    First published on 16 December 2022. Last reviewed on 31 December 2024.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Picnic 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.

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 IslandMarlboroughPicton / Marlborough Sounds

Categories

  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

Not Operating

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.19541672

174.0464667

Take a peak
Latitude
-41.19541672
Longitude
174.0464667

Websites

Reviews

    • Nice LITTLE spot.
    • Next to Queen Charlotte Track.
    • Not sure if Cowshed bay and Picnic bay are one?
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 3
    38%
    9/10 3
    38%
    8/10 1
    13%
    7/10 0
    0%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 1
    13%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 1.0/5

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

    Reviewed about 3 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Not sure if Cowshed bay and Picnic bay are one?

    But it is a great spot in a lovely bay, camping on both sides of the road bush or beach. This is the first place we found to camp up the Kenepuru Sound .Other areas are closed now.Toilets clean , water and basic sink for dishes. Very quiet and beautiful views.

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

    V
    Valg's avatar
  • 4.0/5

    Nice LITTLE spot.

    Only enough room for about 4 vans and we were right on top of each other. Close to the water and a small rocky beach.

    Reviewed about 7 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Small, but absolutely beautiful, has everything you need, water, toilet, direct beach access, great swimming.

    Reviewed about 10 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great location on beach, fished (and caught!!) snapper.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful little DOC site near the cowshed DOC site.

    Only room for 2/3 spots but amazing little isolated bay.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago and experienced in November 2011

    C
    Curry's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    Next to Queen Charlotte Track.

    Beautiful drive and great for a swim also cheep!! $6!! Has a toilet and water.

    Reviewed almost 14 years ago