McLaren Falls Camping Area
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McLaren Falls Camping Area
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.
Details
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Organisation |
Tauranga City CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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3.5/5
Essentially a doc campsite.
Need to book online with the council. Basic facilities. Taps with drinking water. Flushing toilets. Showers were cold only, but look like they do go hot, so were maybe just out of order when we were there. Wardens came round so it feels safe. Amazing location with great walks and disk golf course. Lots of beautiful native birds around. We loved it here but it is expensive given the facilities are very basic. $24 per adult.
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4.5/5
Really beautiful area for camping.
You can do a few walks from there, see falls and glowworms. The facilities are clean and the area looks safe. 2 of the 4 camping options and 2 tracks are closed at the moment (still enough to see, for example the beautiful lake) and you have to book online in advance. Good value for the money!
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5.0/5
Beautiful place.
Unfortunately, because of the extreme weather conditions most of the park was closed. Landslides and flooding. We saw the glow worms and hiked. The Park Ranger helped us out and was very friendly.
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4.5/5
Such a lovely park!!
Great walks, and the camp facilities were well maintained.
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4.0/5
1 campground in the park is now open.
Bookings are done online. $22 per person—- with 3 of us in the RV I didn’t want to pay that for a patch of grass ($66). So we didn’t stay.
Great park with short walks through it.
The park gates are locked by 5.30 winter. 10.30 summer & is patrolled by Rangers
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5.0/5
Highly recommended, even in winter.
Cheap and close to Tauranga, and ranger on-site morning and arvo to check in on people which is nice and makes feel secure if travelling alone. Fishing for trout is a must and glow worm track and smaller water fall on the glow worm track is beautiful. Bring a head torch as can explore park at night. Clean and tidy amenities and really good hot showers. A must for all travellers and plenty to do for three nights you will want to stay longer.
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5.0/5
Best campground in the area, by far.
Book online for 10,50 per adult. Decided to stay another night and try out the awesome disc golf course (discs can be rented for 20NZD -15nzd deposit- or purchased at park cafe). Good for an easy stroll and hot shower. Nice walk to a waterfall and at night definitely go for the glowworm track!
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5.0/5
Camped here one night.
Best campsite we found. Hot showers, clean washrooms, just beautiful well kept park. Did the walk to the waterfall then the glow worm walk. Amazing. Don’t pay at the other spots just camp here and walk along the river. Friendly ranger gave awesome directions. Wish we’d had time to stay another night and do more of the walks
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5.0/5
You have hot showers, toilets, bbk, water and tables.
21$ (2 persons 1 night).
Verry nice place.
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5.0/5
10$ pP unpowered tent side.
Was quite busy but there is much space. You are inside the national park, gate locks at 19:30 in the summer (you cannot get in and out after that time!). Showers were really great and clean, you MUST go to the glowworm track after sunset! Get your flashlights ready for the way back but enjoy the walk without light in the night. Best experience!! You will not regret it.
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4.5/5
Awesome clean facilities, hot showers, sinks for washing up with hot water, bbq, and all for $10pp (pay in the info centre on the way into the park).
Amazing :) (only downside was a vast amount of bird poo on the grass but nothing can be done about that as its their home too!)
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3.5/5
Essentially a doc campsite.
Need to book online with the council. Basic facilities. Taps with drinking water. Flushing toilets. Showers were cold only, but look like they do go hot, so were maybe just out of order when we were there. Wardens came round so it feels safe. Amazing location with great walks and disk golf course. Lots of beautiful native birds around. We loved it here but it is expensive given the facilities are very basic. $24 per adult.
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4.5/5
Really beautiful area for camping.
You can do a few walks from there, see falls and glowworms. The facilities are clean and the area looks safe. 2 of the 4 camping options and 2 tracks are closed at the moment (still enough to see, for example the beautiful lake) and you have to book online in advance. Good value for the money!
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5.0/5
Beautiful place.
Unfortunately, because of the extreme weather conditions most of the park was closed. Landslides and flooding. We saw the glow worms and hiked. The Park Ranger helped us out and was very friendly.
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4.5/5
Such a lovely park!!
Great walks, and the camp facilities were well maintained.
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4.0/5
1 campground in the park is now open.
Bookings are done online. $22 per person—- with 3 of us in the RV I didn’t want to pay that for a patch of grass ($66). So we didn’t stay.
Great park with short walks through it.
The park gates are locked by 5.30 winter. 10.30 summer & is patrolled by Rangers
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5.0/5
Highly recommended, even in winter.
Cheap and close to Tauranga, and ranger on-site morning and arvo to check in on people which is nice and makes feel secure if travelling alone. Fishing for trout is a must and glow worm track and smaller water fall on the glow worm track is beautiful. Bring a head torch as can explore park at night. Clean and tidy amenities and really good hot showers. A must for all travellers and plenty to do for three nights you will want to stay longer.
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5.0/5
Best campground in the area, by far.
Book online for 10,50 per adult. Decided to stay another night and try out the awesome disc golf course (discs can be rented for 20NZD -15nzd deposit- or purchased at park cafe). Good for an easy stroll and hot shower. Nice walk to a waterfall and at night definitely go for the glowworm track!
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5.0/5
Camped here one night.
Best campsite we found. Hot showers, clean washrooms, just beautiful well kept park. Did the walk to the waterfall then the glow worm walk. Amazing. Don’t pay at the other spots just camp here and walk along the river. Friendly ranger gave awesome directions. Wish we’d had time to stay another night and do more of the walks
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5.0/5
You have hot showers, toilets, bbk, water and tables.
21$ (2 persons 1 night).
Verry nice place.
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5.0/5
10$ pP unpowered tent side.
Was quite busy but there is much space. You are inside the national park, gate locks at 19:30 in the summer (you cannot get in and out after that time!). Showers were really great and clean, you MUST go to the glowworm track after sunset! Get your flashlights ready for the way back but enjoy the walk without light in the night. Best experience!! You will not regret it.
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4.5/5
Awesome clean facilities, hot showers, sinks for washing up with hot water, bbq, and all for $10pp (pay in the info centre on the way into the park).
Amazing :) (only downside was a vast amount of bird poo on the grass but nothing can be done about that as its their home too!)
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1.5/5
3 of the 4 camping grounds in the park were closed, just the pin oak camping ground was open.
we have been at the camping ground 3 years ago and it was amazing, however today it was really crowded, many loud children playing and absolutely not the quiet and peaceful place we had last time. we are really disappointed however in summer season when the other camping grounds are open I would recommend it. before you pay don't make the same mistake like we did and inform you at the reception if the other camping grounds in the park are open, I don't recommend pin oak.
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5.0/5
Awesome spot!
$10/night with hot showers! Can t do any better!
Don t miss the glow worms track.
Ranger over friendly and helpful. Don t get there after 5.30 as the doors to get in the park close.
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2.5/5
We have stayed here multiple times and have loved it!
Normally i would rate this campground a 10 however this time at the end of winter there were sheep everywhere and only 1 of the campground locations was open. There was still plenty of campers for all sites to be open but it seems they want to keep everyone contained in the 1 area - they should really lower the price during winter as sheep are loud during the night even if you are in a van/motorhome - Save this place for summer. Not worth the price for 1 small campsite open for multiple campers and hundreds of sheep. Otherwise the place is beautiful as always! And the sheep are very cute - just not when you are trying to sleep.
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5.0/5
Amazing spot.
10dollars per person in February but toilets and shower are clean. The rangers is very friendly.
Many short walkway available and during the night beautiful walk with plenty of glowworms.
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5.0/5
Previous reviews are spot on.
This place is lovely, lots of space and good facilities. $10 per person. Loved looking at the huge variety of trees conserved on the land. Enjoy your time here.
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5.0/5
Excellent campside, big and lots of Space!
Very clean facilities, free hot showers and best of all- cheap!
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4.5/5
Lovely location, wooded park beside dammed lake which is part of a power scheme.
Great place to camp, caters to all vehicles and tents. Facilities include clean showers and flush toilets at main camping area, two more campsites have toilets nearby. There are electric barbecues at nearby areas in the park also. Sheep inhabit certain areas so it might be wise to watch ones step, especially at night!
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4.5/5
Excellent campsite with clean toilets and good hot showers.
Only 3 campers in late September. Very friendly ranger collects camp fees ($10/person). The glow worm walk at night was worth the camp fee by itself!
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4.5/5
When we first rocked up there was no one in the office, but there's a self check in and self pay machine for camping.
Labelling didn't work (which is why I gave it a 9), which meant we had to seek out a ranger to clarify. The rangers do come round to make sure you've paid so don't try anything! The showers were nice once we figured out you needed a token for them (or use the disabled showers if no tokens). Was just a car park space as grass was closed off due to rain. Great staff and wonderful location. Glowworms are an added extra!
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4.0/5
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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5.0/5
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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5.0/5
Very, very nice park, great architecture of landscape - lake, rivers, trees and bridges.
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4.5/5
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.
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3.5/5
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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5.0/5
Amazing place!!
You must stay here! Absolutely beautiful setting, great hot showers (press the black button on the grey box) and a lovely park keeper. Glow worm walk at night and nice cafe too. Highly recommend.
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4.5/5
It was stunning to see what is possible for the nature.
The water is clear and cold while the rocks were warm - it was perfect.
