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Camping guide · updated 16 Oct 2026
Camping near Blenheim and Marlborough
There are 91 DOC campsites within 150 km of Blenheim and Marlborough, and 12 of them are free. 41 can be reached by car. The closest is Rarangi Campsite, about 15 km away in a straight line.
Drive-in campsites (41)
| Campsite | Distance* | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rarangi Campsite Blenheim area | 15 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Whites Bay Campsite Blenheim area | 17 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Robin Hood Bay Campsite Blenheim area | 19 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Onamalutu Campsite Mount Richmond Forest Park | 22 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Aussie Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 27 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Momorangi Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 27 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Whatamango Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 29 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Marfells Beach Campsite Marfells Beach area | 31 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Butchers Flat Campsite Mount Richmond Forest Park | 34 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Nikau Cove Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 36 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Picnic Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 36 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Mill Flat Campsite Mount Richmond Forest Park | 38 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Kenepuru Head Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 40 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Pelorus Bridge Campground Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve | 40 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Harvey Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 47 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Waimaru Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 48 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Elaine Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 53 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| French Pass Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 66 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Moawhitu Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 80 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Catchpool Valley Campsite Catchpool Valley & Ōrongorongo Valley | 82 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Molesworth Cob Cottage Campsite Molesworth Recreation Reserve | 86 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Corner Creek Campsite Remutaka Forest Park | 91 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Kerr Bay Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | 98 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Teetotal Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | 99 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
| West Bay Campsite - Jetty Zone Nelson Lakes National Park | 99 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| West Bay Campsite - Buller Zone Nelson Lakes National Park | 100 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Putangirua Pinnacles Campsite Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve | 105 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Coldwater Stream Campsite Upper Wairau River area | 106 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Canaan Downs Campsite Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve | 110 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Tōtaranui Campground Abel Tasman National Park | 111 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Kawatiri Campsite Kawatiri area | 114 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
| Siberia Flat Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 115 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Courthouse Flat Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 116 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Lake Rotoroa Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | 117 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Cobb River Campsite Cobb Valley | 120 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Lake Tennyson Campsite Molesworth Recreation Reserve | 127 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Bucks Road Campsite Tararua Forest Park | 127 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Ōtaki Forks Campsite Ōtaki Forks area | 127 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Acheron Accommodation House Campsite Molesworth Recreation Reserve | 129 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Waiohine Gorge Campsite Tararua Forest Park | 133 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Holdsworth Campsite Holdsworth area | 144 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
Walk-in and boat-access campsites (50)
| Campsite | Distance* | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davies Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 29 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Moetapu Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 30 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Mistletoe Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 32 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | boat access, bookable |
| Putanui Point Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 33 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Cowshed Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 35 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Kumutoto Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 35 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Black Rock Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 36 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Ferndale Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 36 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Ratimera Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 37 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | boat access, bookable |
| Ngaruru Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 38 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Pipi Beach Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 39 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, first come, first served |
| Bay Of Many Coves Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 41 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Nydia Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 43 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Blumine Island/ōruawairua Campsite Blumine Island Scenic Reserve | 44 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Jacobs Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 45 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Camp Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 46 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Wharehunga Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 46 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Schoolhouse Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 50 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Tawa Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 50 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Kauauroa Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 53 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Cannibal Cove Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 54 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Waiona Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 57 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Lucky Bay Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 70 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Mill Arm Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 75 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Penguin Bay Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 75 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| South Arm Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 79 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Matiu/somes Island Campsite Matiu/Somes Island | 81 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | bookable |
| Graces Stream Campsite Catchpool Valley & Ōrongorongo Valley | 83 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | first come, first served |
| Akersten Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 97 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Apple Tree Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 97 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Coquille Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 97 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Observation Beach Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 97 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Watering Cove Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 97 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Anchorage Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 98 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Te Pukatea Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 98 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Tinline Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 98 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Torrent Bay Village Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 99 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Bark Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 101 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Mosquito Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 101 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Onetahuti Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 103 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Awaroa Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 107 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waiharakeke Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 108 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Angelus Hut Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | 109 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Tōtaranui Great Walk Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 111 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Anapai Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 113 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Mutton Cove Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 114 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Whariwharangi Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 115 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Aorere Shelter Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 145 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Brown Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 147 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Perry Saddle Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 147 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
*Straight-line distance from the city centre; the drive is longer.
Want a roof instead? Compare holiday parks on Holiday Parks NZ or stays near Blenheim on our Stays page.
Campsite list: Department of Conservation open data (CC BY 4.0), refreshed weekly. Fees are DOC’s published category fees; some campsites differ and prices can change. Always check the DOC page for alerts and closures before you go.
Plan the rest of the trip
Find a campsite by region → Packing checklist Cheap car hire
Questions
What is the closest campsite to Blenheim and Marlborough?
From DOC's list, Rarangi Campsite is the closest, about 15 km away in a straight line.
Are there free campsites near Blenheim and Marlborough?
Yes, 12 of the DOC campsites within 150 km are free basic campsites.
Do I need to book?
Many standard and serviced DOC campsites need booking, especially in summer. Basic campsites are usually first come, first served.
More camping guides: all camping guides