
Cowshed Bay Campsite
Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area • Marlborough
Alerts
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
- About
- Explore Kenepuru Sound by boat, walk or mountain bike the nearby Queen Charlotte Track or relax by the water surrounded by native bush.
- Facilities
- Non-powered/tent sites
- Shelter for cooking
- Shower - cold
- Toilets - flush
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
- Wheelchair accessible with assistance
- Toilets
- Water supply
- Activities
- Boating, Fishing, Mountain biking, Walking and tramping
- Dogs
- No dogs.
- Landscape
- Coastal
- Access
- Boat, Foot
- Unpowered sites
- 20
About this campsite
There are two toilet cubicles in the facilities located on the seaward side of the camp and a further three, with a cold shower, on the inland side.
Fees and bookings
Fees
- Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
- Child (5 - 17 years): $5 per night
- Infant (0 - 4 years): free
Passes
The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite.
Bookings
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027.
- If no availability shows online for your dates, the campsite is fully booked.
- No spaces are kept for campers arriving without a booking.
- Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
- Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.
Book Cowshed Bay Campsite online.
Book well in advance for the peak period from 1 December - 28 February and for public holiday weekends.
Te Araroa – The Trail Pass
Te Araroa Trail walkers should register and purchase the Te Araroa Trail Pass.
Getting there
Walk or bike the Queen Charlotte Track to Torea Saddle or boat to Torea or Portage Bays. From Torea walk or bike 750m uphill on the paved road to Torea Saddle. At Torea Saddle there is a 700m track downhill into the campsite. From Portage it is a 500m walk or cycle along the paved road to the Campsite.
Tracks to this campsite
Location
Portage Bay, Kenepuru Sound.
NZTM2000 coordinates: E1699586, N5438191
Latitude: -41.20147238, Longitude: 174.02783069
Know before you go
Camp rules
- All groups must include a responsible adult 18+.
- Quiet hours are from 9:30 pm – 6:30 am.
- Generators allowed from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm only
- Music players must be used with headphones or played at a level not audible to neighbouring campsites.
Water safety
If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.
Nearby
- Queen Charlotte Track · 67.1km · 3-5 days
- Picnic Bay Campsite · Campsite · 1.4km away
- Nikau Cove Campsite · Campsite · 1.7km away
- Black Rock Campsite · Campsite · 2.8km away
- Kumutoto Bay Campsite · Campsite · 3.2km away
- Ferndale Campsite · Campsite · 5.2km away
- Mistletoe Bay Campsite · Campsite · 5.4km away
Weather
Forecast at the campsite