Camping in Marlborough
Wairau Diversion Responsible Camping Area Repairs
Work has commenced on repairing flood damage to the Wairau Diversion Responsible Camping Area. Construction activity will go through until January 2025 although there will be a break over the Christmas/New Year period. Access to the temporary responsible camping area will still be available but there will be temporary traffic management operating at times to allow trucks to move into and out of the construction area. The work program is expected to commence as follows:
1. Rock importation to the FCA site from Late September 2024 – approximately six to eight truck and trailer loads per day for a period of eight weeks.
2. Onsite construction will commence on 2nd December 2024.
3. Project completion is expected to be on 23rd January 2024.
Works will cease over the Christmas period from 20th December 2024 to 6th January 2025.
During the onsite construction phase there will be multiple truck and trailer units travelling to and from the Pukaka Quarry to the worksite via Pembers of Neal Road for a four-week period. Access along Thomas Road (east of Neal Road, along the stop bank) will be under temporary traffic management for the period 2 December to 23 January (excluding Christmas period).
Traffic management signage will be in place for the duration of the onsite construction phase, and it is expected there will be minor delays at times during this period.
Where to Camp in Marlborough
All campers are asked to stay in commercial campgrounds, Department of Conservation (DOC) camps and Council responsible camping sites.
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.
