Cowshed Bay Campsite
Standard campsiteLocated in Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area, MarlboroughOpen
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.
- Sites
- 20
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $15
- Power
- None
- Shower
- Yes
- Toilet
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Dogs
- No dogs
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.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 41.20208° S, 174.03191° E
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.
Nearby stops
Black Rock Campsite
Backcountry • Marlborough • 2.8 km
Black Rock Campsite is a walk-in or mountain bike-in campsite located in the Marlborough Sounds. It is accessed from the Queen Charlotte Track, as there is no…
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets - non-flush
Davies Bay Campsite
Backcountry • Marlborough • 9.4 km
Davies Bay Campsite is a large waterfront site on a shallow bay in Marlborough, suitable for boating and swimming. Campers can choose between waterfront spots…
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Bay of Many Coves Campsite
Backcountry • Marlborough • 9.8 km
Bay of Many Coves is a backcountry campsite in the Marlborough Sounds. Access is by walking or mountain biking from the Queen Charlotte Track, with no drive-in…
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Camp Bay Campsite
Standard • Marlborough • 12.7 km
Camp Bay Campsite is located in a sheltered bay in Marlborough and offers fishing, boating, walking, and mountain biking. A nearby lodge provides a bar, small…
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Toilets - flush
Schoolhouse Bay Campsite
Backcountry • Marlborough • 19 km
Schoolhouse Bay Campsite is a sheltered, east-facing bay in the Marlborough region. It offers access to walking, boating, mountain biking, and fishing in the…
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Contact
Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough information
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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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.