Area & getting there
Kerr Bay 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
- -41.80577, 172.84795 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Kerr Bay Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- Bookings are required throughout the year.
- Different zones suit tents, non-powered campervans and powered vehicles.
- DOC says vehicles longer than 7 m are unsuitable.
- Hot showers need tokens; bring cookware and boil untreated tap water.
- Location
- Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes National Park
- Camping zones
- Powered hardstand, grassy tent and non-powered vehicle options
- Adult non-powered fee
- NZ$25/night 1 May-18 October; NZ$27/night 19 October-30 April
- Adult powered fee
- NZ$27/night 1 May-18 October; NZ$30/night 19 October-30 April
- Services
- Kitchen, token-operated hot showers, toilets, washer and dryer
- Restrictions
- No domestic pets or fires; take rubbish and recycling away
Kerr Bay is the more serviced Lake Rotoiti camping option, with kitchen facilities, hot showers and laundry near St Arnaud. Its DOC listing separates several camping zones, so start with your equipment rather than choosing a site from scenery alone.
Match the zone to your setup
Kaka is the grassy tent area, while Kiwi offers non-powered vehicle sites. Bellbird, Fantail, Robin and Tui include powered hardstand spaces. A photograph of grass beside the lake is not evidence that every booking category provides a soft tent pitch.
Measure your complete vehicle before reserving: DOC sets a seven-metre suitability limit. For a mixed tent-and-vehicle group, ask whether your planned combination fits the selected site instead of assuming neighbouring spaces are included.
Compare the complete nightly cost
Adult non-powered fees are NZ$25 from May to 18 October and NZ$27 from 19 October through April. Powered prices are NZ$27 and NZ$30 respectively. Bookings are required year-round.
Budget separately for shower tokens and any laundry charges. Check the Campsite Pass exclusion period before choosing it as a saving, and keep the reservation accessible without relying on reception at arrival.
Organise showers and cooking supplies
The kitchen does not provide pots, pans or cutlery. Plan a simple first meal and pack the utensils it actually needs; a communal cooking area does not replace a complete food and hygiene kit.
Obtain shower tokens during host or visitor-centre opening hours. DOC's facility data identifies untreated tap water, so boil it before use and arrive with drinking water available while setting up.
Keep the lakeside stay manageable
Lake Rotoiti and the surrounding beech forest are the setting, not a guarantee of weather suitable for boating or walking. Choose each outing according to conditions, equipment and the least experienced member of your party.
No domestic pets or fires are allowed. Leave room in the vehicle for rubbish and recycling, because both must leave with you. Use our wet-weather camping advice when packing for an unsettled forecast.
Source: Department of Conservation. Information is paraphrased under DOC's CC BY 4.0 reuse terms.
Common questions
Which Kerr Bay area suits a tent?
DOC identifies Kaka as a grassy tent zone. Other areas have gravel or hardened surfaces. Check the booking category and site dimensions for your equipment.
Can a long motorhome stay at Kerr Bay?
DOC says the campsite is unsuitable for vehicles greater than 7 m. Do not assume a powered-site booking overrides this limit.
Does the kitchen provide cookware?
No pots, pans or cutlery are supplied. Bring your own, and obtain hot-shower tokens while the host or visitor centre is available.
