McLaren Falls Camping Area

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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷

Lakeside camping near fantastic waterfall

McLaren Falls Reserve contains a series of camping areas dotted around a lakeside area. There's lots of short walks about too.

The park gate closes at 7:30pm in summer (daylight savings) and 5:30pm in winter. No access to park and camp areas after this time.

One of the various camping areas

One of the various camping areas

Many toilet and shower blocks recently refurbished

Many toilet and shower blocks recently refurbished

Mclaren Falls

Mclaren Falls

Featured Details

Feature Value Info

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10)

What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight?

Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10) Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10)

You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.

$10 per adult, under 16 years are FREE.

Overnight Stay Rules

Camping and any vehicle

What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite?

Camping and any vehicle Camping and any vehicle

You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.

Contact Details

Tauranga Address:
 McLaren Falls Road

Full Details

Feature Value Info

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10)

What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight?

Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10) Low Cost (NZ$1 to NZ$10)

You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged.

$10 per adult, under 16 years are FREE.

Overnight Stay Rules

Camping and any vehicle

What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite?

Camping and any vehicle Camping and any vehicle

You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle.

Water Supply

Yes

Is there fresh water available?

Yes Yes

Shower

Hot shower

Is there a shower at this location?

Hot shower

At least one hot shower is available.

Just push the black button near shower stall and get 3 minutes of hot water.

Booking Required

First Come, First Served

Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight?

First Come, First Served First Come, First Served

Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot.

The park gate closes at 7:30pm in summer (daylight savings) and 5:30pm in winter. No access to park and camp areas after this time.

Pets

No

Does this establishment allow pets?

No No

Toilet

Public toilet

Is there a toilet available?

Public toilet

There are toilet facilities available to the general public.
map

  • Unpowered Campsites

    Maximum stay for camping is 3 nights. Any open grassed area is available for camping except Cherry Bay. Shower facilities are available at Pin Oak Flat. Tokens can be purchased from ranger, cafe or information centre.

    Base Rate (2 persons) $20/day
    Extra Adult $10/day
    Extra Child $5/day

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61 reviews with the most recent first, showing page 1 of 11.

Dalton Howden's avatar

Dalton Howden

Ranking: 8/10

Showers and toilets available, $10 per adult. Track to a waterfall is close by. Very spacious and away from the main road. Can pay at information centre or wait for a ranger to come by.

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Haley Everitt's avatar

Haley Everitt

Ranking: 10/10

Absolutely stunning park! Sheep everywhere, a gorgeous waterfall, and a quick 10 minute night walk to see glow worms (included in the price of camping rather than spending $50 in Waitomo!) Would recommend!

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Heike Buchmann's avatar

Heike Buchmann

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

Very, very nice park, great architecture of landscape - lake, rivers, trees and bridges.

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Dominique's avatar

Dominique

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

The falls look nice but the park is the real highlight. And everything for free.

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Maartje Mulders's avatar

Maartje Mulders

Ranking: 9/10

Great location with tons of little walks. There's a short hike with glowworms on the campgrounds, as well as some beautiful waterfalls to look at. We deducted half a point since it was quite busy, and another half point for cleanliness (showers and toilets were suffering from some moulding and weren't the cleanest); would however totally recommend this place as it felt very safe, and location makes up for the cleanliness of the shower&restrooms.

Award-2-24px Congratulations McLaren Falls Camping Area

Top Ranked Awards 2015 Basic Facility Camping Finalist

Elena Rusalen's avatar

Elena Rusalen

Ranking: 7/10

I went with a tent, there are a few areas to camp, the ones closest to the waterfall walk/entrance/glowworm were very busy mid march but the one further away at the top was quiet. Lovely view over the lake, lots of birds. Access to toilets and water points at all camp areas and you could do the short walk or drive back to free hot showers or the glowworm walk in the evening. There's a cafe on site and lots of activities if you are here in the daytime. Gates shut at 7.30 in the summer so you need to be in before, though you can leave whenever you want in the morning. Park ranger drives around picking up fees.

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