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.

Swimming

With some of the sunniest weather in New Zealand, you'll need to cool off. Marlborough offers pool swimming or ocean swimming in the Marlborough Sounds.

Marlborough's great swimming spots
Where to camp

You’ll find a warm welcome at holiday parks, and stunning sites at the 48 conservation campsites in Marlborough, from Elaine Bay in the Marlborough Sounds, to Marfells Beach at the edge of the Pacific.

Guide to camping in Marlborough
Dog-friendly DOC sites

There are plenty of beautiful camping spots in Marlborough where you can take your dogs, as long as they are kept on a leash. You'll need to obtain a permit from the Department of Conservation's South Marlborough or Picton office before you go.

Camping with your dog in Marlborough
Hit the Slopes

Perched on the northern end of the Southern Alps, at 1760m above Lake Rotoiti, Rainbow Ski Area is here today because of the dedication of the local ski community.
Hit the Slopes
Golf

Whether you're after a casual round of golf or something more serious, Marlborough can tee you up with more golf courses than you can swing a club at. The region has a great range of quality 9- and 18-hole courses, or for something a bit more unique, why not try 13?

Golfing in Marlborough

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