Last updated November 2026
Pigeon Bay Camping Ground is a back-to-basics camping ground on the edge of Pigeon Bay, at 74 Wharf Road on Banks Peninsula, about 27 km from Christchurch in a straight line. Christchurch City Council runs it, trading as Pigeon Bay Camping Ground.
The camp has non-powered sites for tents and campervans, a modern toilet block, a playground and a tennis court, with a sheltered swimming beach, a boat ramp and a jetty nearby. In the camp’s own words, there are no showers, kitchen or power. Casual campers must book and pay online before they arrive, and only disability assistance dogs are allowed.
Practical Information
- Address
- 74 Wharf Road, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula
- Distance from the city
- About 27 km from Christchurch (straight line)
- Booking
- Book and pay online before arrival
- Check-in and check-out
- Check-in from 2 pm; check-out by midday
- People per site
- Up to 6
- Facilities
- Toilet block, playground, tennis court, boat ramp, boat parking, beach
- Not provided
- Showers, kitchen, power, dump point
- Dogs
- Disability assistance dogs only (paperwork required)
- Fires
- No fires, naked flames or fireworks; gas barbecues only
- Quiet hours
- 11 pm to 7:30 am
About Pigeon Bay Camping Ground
Pigeon Bay is one of the camping grounds Christchurch City Council runs on Banks Peninsula, and the camp sells itself on its location rather than its facilities. The sites range from large areas that groups of families and friends can share to more secluded spots for a campervan.
The bay is the focus. The camp describes a sheltered swimming beach suited to children and a jetty nearby for water sports, and it has its own boat ramp and boat parking.
On land there is a playground and a tennis court. The camp also points to public reserves around Banks Peninsula, many close to Summit Road, with short walks and picnic spots.
The council says all of its camping grounds take tents and campervans. That matters on Banks Peninsula, where the council doesn’t allow freedom camping in a tent or in a vehicle without certified on-board facilities: those campers have to stay at a camping ground like this one.
What to Bring
With no showers, no kitchen and no power, Pigeon Bay suits campers who bring their own set-up. The camp has a clean, modern toilet block, and that is the main shared facility. Fires and naked flames are not allowed, so any cooking has to be on a gas barbecue.
There is no black or grey water dump point in the camp, so self-contained vehicles should plan where to empty their tanks before arriving or after leaving. The council’s camping map shows public dump stations around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Clean any fish you catch responsibly and take the offal and debris away straight after.
The camp strongly advises caravans and motorhomes to carry a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Keep fuel containers, full or empty, with your boat or vehicle, never in, under or near a caravan or tent.
Camp Rules and Booking
Casual campers must book online, and the full amount is charged to a card when you book. Up to six people can stay on one site, and anyone under 18 must stay with a parent or guardian.
Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out is by midday. If you cancel within seven days of arrival you pay for one night; earlier than that, a $15 fee per site is kept. There are no refunds for early departures, late arrivals, no-shows or bad weather.
The speed limit inside the camp is 8 km/h for every vehicle, and roads and accessways must stay clear for emergencies. In busy periods there is no room to park boats or extra vehicles.
Keep noise down between 11 pm and 7:30 am, and don’t use the tennis court after 10 pm. Only disability assistance dogs are allowed, and the caretaker needs to see their paperwork; all other dogs, including visitors’ dogs, are banned. Raise any problem with the caretaker first.
Where to Learn More
Pigeon Bay Camping Ground: the council-run camp’s own site, with bookings, the site map and the full camp rules.
Christchurch City Council: Camping and campervans: council camping grounds, Banks Peninsula road advice, the tsunami zone update and the map of dump stations and toilets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there showers at Pigeon Bay Camping Ground?
No. The camp has toilets but no showers, kitchen or power.
Do I need to book?
Yes. Casual campers must book and pay online before they arrive.
What time can I check in?
From 2 pm. Check-out is by midday.
Can I bring my dog?
Only a disability assistance dog, and the caretaker must see the paperwork. All other dogs are not allowed.
Is there a dump station?
No. There is no black or grey water dump point in the camp, so empty your tanks elsewhere.
Can I launch a boat?
Yes. The camp has a boat ramp and boat parking, although boats and extra vehicles can’t be parked in busy periods.
How many people can share a site?
Up to six people per site.
Can I have a campfire?
No. Fires, naked flames and fireworks are banned. Gas barbecues are allowed.
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