Camping in Marlborough
Storm event update:
The Wairau Diversion responsible camping area at Neal Road, Marshlands, near Blenheim, was closed after a significant storm event in July 2021. A strip of land alongside the river was washed away and remedial options are being prepared for his area. In the meantime a temporary area for overnight camping has been set up at the Wairau Diversion. Visitors are limited to a stay of two nights only and only in a fully self-contained vehicle. Tents and non self-contained vehicles are not permitted.
Where to Camp in Marlborough
All campers are asked to stay in commercial campgrounds, Department of Conservation (DOC) camps and Council responsible camping sites.
Update: 24 January 2024
Renwick Domain - Closure of site for event (9-12 February 2024)
The Renwick Domain Freedom Camping site will be closed from 9-12 February 2024 for the annual Marlborough Wine and Food Festival.
The Freedom Camping area is within the carpark of the Renwick Domain and this area will be used by the festival organisers with buses and trucks on the hard stand and pack out of the festival taking place until 6.00 pm Monday 12 February.
The area will be available for camping visitors from Monday 12 February from 6.00 pm.
Update: 5 January 2024
The Wairau Diversion will be closed from today 5 January 2024 to the end of February 2024 due to damage to the site from a fire.
The freedom camping site has extensive damage and is not able to be used as a camping site, and no other area in the usable strip of land can be freedom camped on.
In addition, the grass is extremely dry and poses a risk to other users at the site.
The entrance to the Wairau Diversion will be blocked off to all vehicles until further notice.
A printable brochure providing information about where to camp in Marlborough can be downloaded below.
Freedom Camping Act 2011
New freedom camping laws came into effect on Wednesday, 7 June 2023 requiring vehicles to be certified self-contained.
The Self-Contained Motor Vehicle Legislation Act 2023 includes the following key changes:
- Changes to where you can freedom camp. In general, you can only freedom camp on local authority land if your vehicle is certified self-contained. (Note that this Council’s freedom camping site at Blairich Reserve does allow for tenting by cyclists.)
- Changes around certifying self-contained vehicles. Vehicles with a portable toilet are no longer able to be certified self-contained but there is a phase in period for the new legislation.
- Changes to infringement fees and fines. The original infringement fee of $200 has been increased to $400 or more depending on the type of infringement.
The Freedom Camping Changes document found below, sets out a summary of the changes and a timeline for the reforms.
Responsible camping sites
The Marlborough District Council Responsible Camping Control Bylaw 2022 provides for camping by self-contained vehicles only at all sites with the exception of Blairich Reserve where tenting by cyclists using the Awatere Valley Road is allowed.
Where can you camp?* | Fully self-contained vehicle | Vehicle spaces available | Number of nights | Permitted times |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wairau Diversion, near Blenheim* | Temporarily closed | |||
Renwick Domain carpark, Renwick | Yes | 20 | 2 | 6.00 pm to 9.00 am |
Wynen Street Carpark, Blenheim | Yes | - | 2 | 6.00 pm to 9.00 am |
Lansdowne Park, Blenheim | Yes | 4 | 1 | Mon - Thurs only |
Taylor Dam Reserve, Blenheim | Yes | 10 | 2 | |
Blairich Reserve, Awatere Valley Road** | Yes | - | 2 | |
Lake Elterwater, Grassmere | Yes | - | 2 |
* Resource consents are currently being sought for sites at Opouri Road (Carluke Domain), Alfred Stream (Rai Valley), Renwick Dog Park (off Foxes Island Road, SH 6) and Wash Bridge Reserve, SH 63. If consent is granted then information about the sites and restrictions for camping will be included in the table.
** Tenting for cyclists using the Awatere Valley Road is permitted at Blairich Reserve.
If you see people camping in non-permitted areas or causing problems, please contact the Marlborough District Council on phone: 03 520 7400.
Map of Designated Camping Sites
See a map of overnight camping sites in Marlborough. Information about each area can be seen by selecting an individual site within the map. Note that areas where camping is prohibited on MDC managed land can be found in the MDC Responsible Camping Bylaw 2022.