Kerr Bay camp is located adjacent to Lake Rotoiti with a boat launching ramp nearby. It is surrounded by beech forest and 500 m from the St Arnaud village shop. The camp is not suitable for vehicles greater than 7 m in length.
The campground is open all year around. During the summer months bookings are essential. Bookings are not available during the winter. During winter there are no showers, washing machine & dryer available.
Campsite zones
There are five camping zones, each with varying numbers of sites: Bellbird, Fantail, Robin and Tui zones have powered sites with hardened surfaces, while the grassy Kaka zone is more suitable for tents.
View a map of campsite zones (PDF, 2,223K)
Facilities and services
A day shelter provides kitchen and cooking facilities (stove; no pots, pans, cutlery etc). During the summer months the ablution block has hot showers (token operated), toilets, full access shower/toilet and washing machine and clothes dryer.
During winter, the showers (including full access shower/toilet) are closed and the washing machine and dryer are not available.
There is a sewage dump station opposite the cooking shelter.
Volunteer camp host opportunities
Volunteers are needed to act as camp hosts for a minimum of two weeks from mid December through to late April.
You would need your own campervan or caravan. A free powered site is provided in return for basic duties such as checking camper bookings and liaising with the Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre.
For more information and application form: Nelson Lakes volunteer camp host
Getting there
Lake Rotoiti, Kerr Bay just off SH63 on Kerr Bay Road.
The campsite is near the St Arnaud township, which is 1 hour 30 minutes by road from Nelson or Blenheim.
Location
NZTM2000 coordinates: E1587370, N5371777
Latitude: -41.80577, Longitude: 172.84795
Fees
Labour weekend – 30 April
Non-powered site
- Adult (18+ years): $18 per night
- Child (5 - 17 years): $9 per night
- Infant (0 - 4 years): free
Powered site
- Adult (18+ years): $21 per night
- Child (5 - 17 years): $10.50 per night
- Infant (0 - 4 years): free
Additional fees
Tokens required for showers: $1 each
1 May – Friday before Labour weekend
Non-powered site
- Adult (18+ years): $13 per night
- Child (5 - 17 years): $6.50 per night
- Infant (0 - 4 years): free
Powered site
- Adult (18+ years): $16 per night
- Child (5 - 17 years): $8 per night
- Infant (0 - 4 years): free
Passes
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The campsite pass for rental campervans cannot be used at this campsite.
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Backcountry Hut Passes cannot be used at this campsite.
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NZMCA / DOC campsite pass cannot be used at this campsite.
Bookings
Summer
From mid December to the end of April the campsite can be booked online or through the Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre. Bookings are essential for the Christmas holiday period, classic boat show and power boat regatta weekends and Easter.
Bookings for the 2018/19 season open at 9 am, 1 August 2018.
Winter
From 1 May through to mid December the campsite can't be booked. Register at the Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre.
Book Kerr Bay campsite online, or contact:
Read the terms and conditions before you book.
Activities
Services offered at the Visitor Centre include walk and tramping information, maps, hut bookings and tickets, fishing licences and retail sales. Interpretive displays explain the landforms, history and wildlife of the area.
Know before you go
Campsite rules
- The camp is within Nelson Lakes National Park, park by-laws apply.
- No domestic pets are allowed.
- Sites must be vacated by 10 am on the day of departure.
- Speed limit in the camping areas is 5 km/hr.
- Excessive noise in the campgrounds after 11 pm will not be tolerated.
- Keep rubbish to a minimum.
- No fires.
- New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Pass not valid here.
- Jet skis are prohibited.
The management reserves the right to cancel tenancy at any time if park by-laws or these regulations are contravened and under such circumstances will not refund any fees paid in advance.