Kenepuru Head: Camping at Kenepuru Sound

Kenepuru Head Campsite is located at the head of Kenepuru Sound. The tidal bay, large, open, grassy campsite and opportunities for outdoor activities define the area. When planning your stay, campsite bookings, road access and the conditions for water and outdoor activities are particularly relevant.

Staying at Kenepuru Head Campsite

There is a toilet block, cold-water showers and a cooking shelter on site. There are no rubbish disposal facilities: take all your rubbish with you when you leave. You must book a Campsite Pass online before occupying a campsite. If staff are on site, you can also book with the campsite staff; a NZ$10 service fee applies. Campsites may not be available without a booking. Check the current DOC booking information before your trip, as booking procedures and facility information may change.

Bay, sound and activities

The bay at Kenepuru Head is tidal. Kenepuru Sound offers opportunities for boating and fishing; water conditions can change quickly. When fishing, also check local conditions and applicable rules. Walking is also possible around Kenepuru Sound. Nearby, the Queen Charlotte Track offers opportunities for mountain biking; check the latest information on track conditions and possible closures in advance. Practical advice varies by activity: for fishing, local conditions and rules matter; for mountain biking, track conditions and possible closures are important.

Getting there and launching a boat

The road route to Kenepuru Head Campsite turns off Queen Charlotte Drive onto Kenepuru Road at Linkwater; from there, follow the road for 40 km to the campsite. The road is sealed but narrow and winding. Road conditions and restrictions may change, so check the latest information before your trip. Kenepuru Head is about 1.5 hours from Picton or Havelock. Actual travel time depends on road and traffic conditions.

If you are coming from Portage, the nearest boat launch is at Sandy Bay, 2.5 km before the campsite. Access rules and road conditions may also change; check the latest information before driving.

Forest and tracks around Kenepuru Sound

Ngahere Hou covers 16.2 hectares of regenerating native forest at the head of Kenepuru Sound. Ngahere Hou is directly accessible on foot from the midpoint of the Queen Charlotte Track. The open, grassy campsite has a different landscape from Ngahere Hou's regenerating native forest.

Further afield around Kenepuru Sound, the Mt Stokes Track follows a ridge to a 1,203 m summit. Track conditions and access via Kenepuru Road may change; check the latest information before planning your hike. The ridgeline route and summit elevation give this track a different character from the water-based activities around Kenepuru Head.

Discover more destinations: Portage, St Omer, Rai Valley, Havelock, Renwick, Picton, Canvastown, Anakiwa

For the main travel overview: Marlborough District.