Cowshed Bay Campsite
Standard campsiteLocated in Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area, MarlboroughDOC data as at 20 September 2026
Current advisories
Cowshed Bay Campsite temporary closures
08 September 2026
Cowshed Bay Campsite will be closed between 27 October and 13 November 2026 for the replacement of the wastewater system. First published on 9 September 2026.
No showers available at Cowshed Bay Campsite
03 August 2026
Showers are not currently available at this site. First published on 6 January 2026. Last reviewed on 4 August 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
About this place
Explore Kenepuru Sound by boat, walk or mountain bike the nearby Queen Charlotte Track or relax by the water surrounded by native bush.
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 .
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Fees and bookings
The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite.
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 .
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Contact
Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough information
Regional DOC service centre.
Nearby stops
Picnic Bay Campsite
Standard • Marlborough • 1.4 km
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated • boil before use
Nikau Cove Campsite
Standard • Marlborough • 1.7 km
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated • boil before use
Black Rock Campsite
Backcountry • Marlborough • 2.8 km
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated • boil before use
Kumutoto Bay Campsite
Backcountry • Marlborough • 3.2 km
Jetty • Non-powered/tent sites • Water from stream
Ferndale Campsite
Backcountry • Marlborough • 5.2 km
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated • boil before use
All details
- Facilities
- Non-powered/tent sitesShelter for cookingShower - coldToilets - flushWater from tap - not treatedboil before useWheelchair accessible with assistanceToiletsWater supply
- Activities
- BoatingFishingMountain bikingWalking and tramping
- Access
- BoatFoot
- Setting
- Coastal
- Unpowered sites
- 20
- Bookable
- Yes
- Category
- Standard
- Dogs
- No dogs.
- Location
- Located in Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area
- Caravans
- Yes
- Toilets
- Yes
- Drinking water
- untreated
- Reservations
- No
- Fee
- Yes
- Website
- This place on doc.govt.nz
- Source data
- View source data
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.41.20208° S, 174.03191° E
Something not right?
Closed, moved, wrong facts, or you know something we do not. Change only what you know is wrong or missing; a person checks it before it goes live. Or email us about this place.
Sources
- DOC Campsites (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- OpenStreetMap Campsites · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Campsites · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.