Area & getting there
Momorangi Bay Campground
DOC South Island campsite brochure, printed page 18, supplies these decimal coordinates; the current campsite page gives NZTM only. Reference point, not an individual pitch.
Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)Location source & precision
- Reference coordinates
- -41.27033, 173.94077 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- DOC South Island campsite brochure: Momorangi, printed page 18 (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- Book a tent or powered category; storage spaces are not camping pitches.
- DOC says the campground is unsuitable for arrivals after 8pm or departures before 7am.
- Bring coins for showers and laundry, plus your own cookware.
- Official water descriptions conflict; confirm with staff and bring drinking water.
- Address
- 1998 Queen Charlotte Drive, about 13 km from Picton
- Adult non-powered fee
- NZ$25/night off-peak; NZ$27/night 26 December-8 February
- Adult powered fee
- NZ$28/night off-peak; NZ$30/night 26 December-8 February
- Services
- Communal kitchen, coin-operated hot showers, washers and dryers
- Not onsite
- No dump station; campground shop no longer operates
- Water
- Detailed text says UV-treated; facility data says untreated/boil; confirm onsite
Momorangi Bay combines a Queen Charlotte Sound setting with more services than many DOC campsites. It can suit a longer base stay, but ferry timing and the Queen Charlotte Drive approach should be checked before reserving on the official campground page.
Check the itinerary before the pitch
DOC says the campground is unsuitable for arrivals after 8pm or departures before 7am. Compare that restriction with your ferry itinerary, allowing for disembarkation and possible delays rather than only the advertised sailing time.
Read current road advice for your vehicle combination. A short map distance from Picton is not a promise of a quick, uncomplicated transfer, especially when travelling with a caravan or unfamiliar motorhome.
Choose camping rather than storage
Tent and powered options are separate from vehicle-storage spaces, where overnight camping is not allowed. Enter the correct site category and retain the reservation and bathroom codes offline.
Adult non-powered camping costs NZ$25 nightly, rising to NZ$27 from 26 December to 8 February. Powered rates are NZ$28 and NZ$30. Check the total for your dates and party rather than comparing a storage price with an overnight camping fee.
Prepare for the shared facilities
The kitchen has appliances, but you need cookware and tableware. Showers and laundry use coins. Pack those alongside toiletries so the first evening does not depend on finding change after arrival.
DOC's detailed text describes UV-treated water, while its facility data says untreated water needs boiling. We have not resolved that conflict. Bring drinking water, ask staff about the current supply and follow the notices at the taps.
Sort supplies and family boundaries
The campground shop no longer operates, and there is no dump station onsite. Buy food before arrival and organise lawful wastewater disposal separately from your camping booking.
A stream passes through the campground without fencing. Set clear supervision arrangements with children before unpacking, rather than assuming a serviced campsite removes the need for a site-specific safety check. No pets are allowed. Use our South Island road-trip guide to keep travel days realistic.
Source: Department of Conservation. Information is paraphrased under DOC's CC BY 4.0 reuse terms.
Common questions
Is Momorangi suitable after a late Picton ferry?
DOC says it is unsuitable for arrivals after 8pm or departures before 7am. Check your actual ferry schedule and allow for delays before selecting this campground.
Can I drink the tap water without treatment?
The checked DOC page is inconsistent: detailed facilities text says UV-treated, while the facility component says untreated and boil. Confirm the current instruction with staff and follow onsite notices.
What must I bring for the kitchen and showers?
Bring pots, pans, crockery and cutlery. Hot showers require NZ$1 coins for five minutes; laundry is also coin-operated. There is no onsite shop to rely on for supplies.
