Kids swimming
Pelorus swimming
Sounds swimming
Pelorus Bridge Campground by DOC
  • Campsites

    Conservation & commercial

  • Freedom camping

    Freedom camping in Marlborough

  • Travelling with Rover

    Dog-friendly sites

  • Leisure

    At your own pace

Guide

Camping & Leisure

Camping

Marlborough’s brilliant climate and diverse landscapes make it great for camping, whether you choose a tent or campervan for your holiday.

Tap in the facilities at one of many holiday parks or pitch up a tent at one of the Department of Conservation campsites. A mix of locations are available including absolute waterfront camping in the Marlborough Sounds, high country farm campsites in Molesworth Station and riverside camping amongst native bush near Pelorus Bridge and Havelock.

We must take care of our place here in Marlborough, and encourage you to read up on responsible camping here. Following the Tiaki Promise, you can enjoy what the land has to offer, caring for it and leaving it to be enjoyed by future generations.  

Sports & Leisure

Whether you're playing a round of golf, swimming or getting on the water, Marlborough takes sport and leisure seriously.

The whole region - Blenheim, Picton, Havelock townships and surrounds - has easy access to brilliant sports and leisure activities.

  1. Aquatic centre
  2. Governors Bay
  3. Wairau River swimming spots
  4. Whites Bay
  5. Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
  6. Rainbow Ski Area
  7. Marlborough Golf Club
  8. Rarangi Golf Club
  9. Nopera Golf Club
  10. Picton Golf Club
  11. Blenheim Golf Club
  12. Awatere Golf Club
Roy Grose

Roy Grose Director Operations, Northern South Island | Te Tau Ihu

“Marlborough is the mountains to the sea. One day you can be out in the Marlborough Sounds, and the next day be up at Lake Rotoiti. On the way you can stop and pick cherries or have a glass of wine at a cellar door. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

My insider guide to Marlborough

Whites Bay

Whites Bay, just over the hill from Rarangi, between Picton and Blenheim, is a brilliant safe bay for swimming with a white, sandy beach and sheltered bay.

There's not just swimming, either - go up to the lookout for a great view, check out the rockpools or go down the natural sand slide.

There's a Department of Conservation camping ground here too if you'd like to stick around for a while, or bring your mountain bike and ride the Whites Bay Loop Track - a brilliant downhill trail.

A range of walks for abilities can also be accesed near Whites Bay. Short walks include Pukatea Walk, Monkey Bay Walk, Rarangi-Whites Bay Track and Black Jack Track. Alonger option is Mount Robertson Track, an 8-9 hour return walk which climbs through mature forest and ridgelines. 

Getting to Whites Bay

From SH1 turn off at Tuamarina into Hunter Rd, left into Pembers Rd/Rarangi Rd, and follow left into Rarangi Beach Rd. Take sharp left into Port Underwood Rd and follow to the campsite.

From Picton
Drive 30 minutes | 32 km

From Blenheim
Drive 25 minutes | 23 km

Whites Bay Campsite

Whites Bay Campsite

67 non-powered/tent sites

Brilliant scenery close to the beach, great for surfing, walking, fishing, swimming and kayaking.

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