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Blenheim is an easy-going base for campervan and RV travel: sunny days, vineyard country, and quick access to the Marlborough Sounds. Within 10–60 minutes of town you’ll find a mix of well-equipped holiday parks and beautiful DOC (Department of Conservation) campgrounds.
Below are the best campgrounds in and around Blenheim (10+ options), each with a short description and information so you can have the trip on a lifetime in this part of kiwiland. All you need is the right van to carry you through it; book yours with Campervan New Zealand.
Blenheim TOP 10 Holiday Park (Blenheim)
One of the handiest bases in town for wine touring and day trips to the Sounds. Expect tidy powered sites, modern amenities, and easy access to supermarkets and bike paths. Ideal if you want a simple, central setup before roaming further afield.
What we like about it: you can roll in after a long drive, get set up quickly, and have dinner sorted without overthinking it. There's a communal kitchen, BBQs, and enough space that you don't feel crammed in. If you're the kind of traveller who appreciates a good hot shower and a level site, this one delivers.
| Average price | Powered ~NZD 55–85; Unpowered ~NZD 45–70 (seasonal) |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | Official website • +64 3 577 7417 |
| Facilities | Powered & unpowered sites, kitchens, lounge/TV, showers, laundry, dump station, BBQs, playground |
Blenheim Bridges Holiday Park (Blenheim)
Bordering the Taylor River reserve with leafy sites and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Good spot if you want to stroll or cycle from camp and still be minutes from town.
The seasonal pool is a nice bonus on warmer days. We'd recommend this spot if you want to be close to Blenheim's amenities but don't want to feel like you're parked in a carpark.
| Average price | Powered ~NZD 50–80; Unpowered ~NZD 40–65 |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | Official website • +64 3 577 7350 |
| Facilities | Powered & unpowered sites, kitchens, showers, laundry, playground, seasonal pool, dump station |
Spring Creek Holiday Park (Spring Creek)
Set beside the crystal-clear creek that gives the area its name, 10 minutes north of Blenheim. Shaded sites, friendly hosts, and a calm base for wine country or Picton day trips.
If you're touring the wineries or planning a day trip to the Sounds, this is a calm, sensible base. The sites are well shaded, and there's a small shop on-site for basics. It's not flashy, but it doesn't try to be.
| Average price | Powered ~NZD 45–75; Unpowered ~NZD 35–60 |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | Official website • +64 3 570 5893 |
| Facilities | Powered & unpowered sites, kitchens, showers, laundry, BBQs, playground, small shop |
Havelock Holiday Park (Havelock)
Midway between Blenheim and Nelson and steps from the Havelock marina. Perfect for green-lipped mussel cruises, Pelorus Sound day trips, and boating/kayak missions.
The park itself is simple and well-kept. It's the kind of place where you can hang your wetsuit on the line and not worry about much else. If your trip involves boats, fishing, or just really good seafood, aim to spend a night here.
| Average price | Powered ~NZD 50–80; Unpowered ~NZD 40–60 |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | Official website • +64 3 574 2339 |
| Facilities | Powered & unpowered sites, kitchens, showers, laundry, dump station, BBQs, playground |
Pelorus Bridge Campground (DOC, Rai Valley)
Native forest, swimming holes, and glow-green river water you’ll remember. About 40 minutes from Blenheim, it is an excellent for DOC-style, back-to-nature camping with short walks from your site.
This is one of those places that stays with you. The river here runs that particular green-blue you only get from glacial-fed water, and there are swimming holes so clear you can see every stone on the bottom. The campground sits right in native bush, and glow-worms put on a show after dark.
| Average price | DOC fees (per person, standard/serviced as posted) |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | DOC page |
| Facilities | Non-powered sites, toilets, water (check treatment/boil notices), shelter, café nearby, no dump station |
Rarangi Campsite (DOC, Cloudy Bay)
Beachfront DOC camping doesn't get much more straightforward than this. Rarangi sits right on Cloudy Bay's pebbly shore, and if you score a site facing the water, you'll fall asleep to the sound of waves. It's simple, spacious, and wonderfully unpolished.
There are walking tracks nearby, including routes up into the hills behind the bay. This is a great spot if you're travelling self-contained and don't need much more than a flat place to park and a toilet block.
| Average price | DOC fees (per person) |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | DOC page |
| Facilities | Non-powered sites, long-drop toilets, water (check on site), beach access; no dump station |
Whites Bay Campsite (DOC, Port Underwood Road)
Tucked cove with a historic telegraph station site and forested hills. Great for family swims on calm days and short coastal loops.
The site has some history too. There's an old telegraph station nearby, but mostly it's just a lovely, simple place to camp. Access is via a winding road, so take it slow and enjoy the approach.
| Average price | DOC fees (per person) |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | DOC page |
| Facilities | Non-powered sites, toilets, water (check advisories), picnic areas, beach access; no dump station |
Marfells Beach Campsite (DOC, Lake Grassmere/Kekerengu)
This one's for the early risers and the wind-tolerant. Marfells Beach sits on a wide-open stretch of coast with views toward Cape Campbell, and the sunrise here is genuinely something else. It's exposed, so you will feel the sea breeze, but that also means space, sky, and a sense of remoteness that's hard to find this close to town.
| Average price | DOC fees (per person, bookings typically required in peak) |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | DOC page |
| Facilities | Non-powered sites, toilets, water (check), beach access; exposed to wind; no dump station |
Wairau Valley Holiday Park (Wairau Valley)
This is the kind of place you go when you want to reset. It's rural, leafy, and quiet. The Wairau River is close by, and if you're into trout fishing or just like the idea of a peaceful evening with a book and a glass of local wine, this park delivers.
Amenities are basic but clean. Stock up on supplies before you arrive, because there's not much in the way of shops out here. That's sort of the point.
| Average price | Powered ~NZD 40–65; Unpowered ~NZD 30–55 |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | Official website • +64 3 572 2701 |
| Facilities | Powered & unpowered sites, kitchen, showers, laundry, BBQs; limited shops nearby |
Picton TOP 10 Holiday Park (Picton)
If you're dealing with ferry schedules, this is your friend. It's polished, well-run, and just a few minutes from the marina and Picton's main street. The facilities are excellent: modern amenities blocks, good kitchens, and a playground that'll keep small travellers happy.
It's not the most scenic spot in the region, but it's not trying to be. It's about convenience, comfort, and making the logistics of a Cook Strait crossing feel manageable.
If you need interislander ferry information, please visit our dedicated post.
| Average price | Powered ~NZD 55–90; Unpowered ~NZD 45–70 |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | Official website • +64 3 573 7216 |
| Facilities | Powered & unpowered sites, modern amenities blocks, kitchens, laundry, dump station, playground |
Waikawa Bay Holiday Park (Waikawa/Picton)
This one's right on the harbour, and in summer it's all about the water. There's a boat ramp nearby, and the bay is perfect for SUPs and kayaks. You can launch from camp and spend the morning exploring the edges of the Sounds before paddling back for a late lunch.
The park itself is well set up for families and groups. It's not fancy, but the location is hard to beat. If your Marlborough plan involves boats or beach days, put this one on your shortlist.
| Average price | Powered ~NZD 50–85; Unpowered ~NZD 40–65 |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | Official website • +64 3 573 6348 |
| Facilities | Powered & unpowered sites, kitchens, showers, laundry, BBQs, playground; close to marina |
Momorangi Bay Campground (DOC, Queen Charlotte Sound)
Classic Marlborough Sounds campground with terraced sites and water an arm’s length from your door. Great for families, safe swimming in calm conditions, and short bush loops behind camp.
It's popular for good reason. If you're after that quintessential Sounds experience—waking up to birdsong, launching a kayak from the beach, cooking dinner as the light fades over the water—this is where you want to be.
| Average price | DOC seasonal fees (per site or per person as posted; peak bookings often required) |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | DOC page |
| Facilities | Non-powered & limited powered areas (check), ablutions, camp store (seasonal), boat ramp, picnic areas |
Picton Campervan Park (Picton)
Compact, clean, and built specifically for motorhomes. This one's right beside the ferry terminal precinct, which makes it incredibly handy for late arrivals or early sailings. It's not a holiday park, as there's no playground or pool, but the amenities are spotless and the location is unbeatable.
Use it as a pit stop. Roll in, plug in, get a good night's sleep, and roll out to the vineyards in the morning.
| Average price | Powered ~NZD 50–85; Unpowered ~NZD 40–60 |
|---|---|
| Contact / website | Official website • +64 3 573 8875 |
| Facilities | Powered & unpowered sites, spotless amenities, laundry, dump station; walk to town and ferry |
Choosing your Blenheim base (quick tips)
- Want in-town convenience? Blenheim TOP 10 or Blenheim Bridges keep errands simple and sites tidy.
- Love DOC-style nature camping? Pelorus Bridge, Rarangi, Whites Bay, and Marfells Beach bring you close to water and bush.
- Boating and Sounds focus? Havelock Holiday Park, Waikawa Bay, Momorangi Bay place you near ramps and sheltered bays.
- Ferry logistics? Picton TOP 10 or Picton Campervan Park are the easiest overnighters.
Good to know
Holiday parks usually price by site, though some switch to per-person pricing in peak season. DOC campgrounds almost always charge per person and often require advance bookings online over summer. Carry cash as backup, but be ready to book digitally for popular DOC sites.
Please, please use dump stations for grey and black water. The Marlborough environment, especially the Sounds, is fragile, and keeping it clean keeps these places open for all of us.
Summer and long weekends book out early. If you need shore power, a specific site near the kitchen block, or a patch of shade for a hot afternoon, secure your powered site in advance. The early bird gets the level concrete slab.
Ready to make Marlborough yours?
At Campervan New Zealand, we've been helping travellers find their perfect match for over a decade. Compact and nimble for vineyard hops? Got it. Spacious and comfortable for a week in the Sounds? Absolutely. Four-wheel drive for those gravel detours off the beaten track? We've got you covered.
So go on, book that van, grab that map, and give yourself the gift of an unhurried Marlborough adventure.
