Area & getting there
Kenepuru Head Campsite
DOC's published campsite reference point, not a surveyed entrance or individual pitch.
Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)Location source & precision
- Reference coordinates
- -41.17382, 174.11809 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Kenepuru Head Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- Book before arrival and check current Kenepuru Road notices.
- The adult fee increases from NZ$10 to NZ$15 in the summer peak period.
- Cold showers and a cooking shelter are listed, not a fully equipped kitchen.
- Boil untreated tap water, remove rubbish and arrange any dog permit in advance.
- Setting
- Head of Kenepuru Sound, Marlborough
- Approach
- Kenepuru Road from Linkwater; sealed, narrow and winding
- Adult fee
- NZ$10/night 9 February-25 December; NZ$15/night 26 December-8 February
- Stay types
- Tent, campervan and caravan access listed, subject to road suitability
- Facilities
- Cold showers, non-flush toilets, cooking shelter and untreated tap water
- Boat launching
- Sandy Bay, 2.5 km before camp when approaching from Portage
Kenepuru Head can be a coastal base for a Marlborough Sounds trip when your vehicle and itinerary suit the approach. Begin with the DOC campsite listing and current road notices, not the straight-line distance across the Sounds.
Give the road its own planning time
The approach follows Kenepuru Road from Linkwater for about 40 km. DOC describes it as sealed, narrow and winding. Vehicle-access categories do not establish that a particular towing combination will be comfortable or permitted during roadworks.
Check restrictions shortly before departure and allow an unhurried final drive. Keep supplies organised so arriving later than expected does not turn basic setup into a search for food, lighting and essential medication.
Price the correct season
Adult camping is NZ$10 nightly from 9 February to 25 December and NZ$15 from 26 December to 8 February. A reservation is required, including when using an eligible Campsite Pass.
Check the full party total and save the booking before reaching the campsite. Do not rely on a seasonal host being present to solve a missing reservation or provide a particular card-payment service on arrival.
Pack beyond the cooking shelter
Cold showers, non-flush toilets, a cooking shelter and untreated tap water are listed. The water needs boiling. A shelter does not establish the presence of stoves, refrigeration or cookware, so bring a self-contained meal setup.
Remove all rubbish when leaving. Plan a dedicated storage place for food scraps and used packaging before loading the vehicle; this avoids sharing living or sleeping space with loose waste during a longer Sounds itinerary.
Separate boat access from camping access
The nearest listed boat launch is Sandy Bay, 2.5 km before camp from the Portage direction. Build launching and trailer arrangements into the day rather than expecting to back directly from a camping pitch into the water.
Nearby walking and biking also require current track checks. Dogs need a DOC permit arranged beforehand. Review our campsite selection guide if your group needs more services or a simpler road approach.
Source: Department of Conservation. Information is paraphrased under DOC's CC BY 4.0 reuse terms.
Common questions
Is the boat ramp inside Kenepuru Head Campsite?
DOC identifies the nearest launch at Sandy Bay, 2.5 km before the campground when travelling from Portage. Do not plan on an onsite ramp.
Does the cooking shelter include a stove?
A shelter is listed, but an equipped communal kitchen has not been verified. Bring your own appropriate cooking equipment and check current fire rules.
Can I bring a dog?
Only with a DOC permit. Obtain it before travel and follow any additional control conditions; a campsite reservation alone is insufficient.
