McLaren Falls Park Campground

McLaren Falls Park is a council-run campground about 15 minutes inland from Tauranga, set around a picturesque lake and waterfall in lush native bush. The park is famous for its glow worms, which light up the bush tracks after dark, making an evening walk here genuinely magical for kids and adults alike.

The campground has around 50 powered and unpowered sites with hot showers, flush toilets, camp kitchen, baby change room, drinking water, and gas BBQs. It suits all vehicle types from tents to motorhomes. Pets are allowed on a leash. The bush setting and pleasant lake views give it a peaceful atmosphere, even when busy.

McLaren Falls sits in a great position for day trips. Mount Maunganui and the beach are 20 minutes away, Rotorua’s geothermal attractions are an hour’s drive, and the walking tracks within the park itself are excellent for a morning or afternoon stroll. Unpowered sites start from $25 per night, with powered from $35 to $40. Book ahead over summer and long weekends.