Not far off the highway and only a short 10 minute drive from Taraunga is McLaren Falls Park which is 190 hectares of parkland set alongside Lake McLaren.
We drove up early enough to enjoy coffee at the café before our bush walk however the café was closed when we arrived. My friends did say that the food is great at the café and very reasonably priced.
Right by the café is the information kiosk where we parked our car and walked to the falls through the rainforest. We grabbed a map here at the information centre however we soon noticed that the roads through the park were well signed so we did not really need the map. There is plenty of parking by the information centre and around the park areas.
We set off for our walk up to the falls, which in fact was only a very short but pleasant walk with gorgeous ferns, tree ferns, vegetation and abundance of bird life along the way. The falls are not high and are really a small waterfall.
After taking many photos we did some more exploring. From the falls we then walked to the picturesque lake with its magnificent reflections coming from the colourful trees by the waters edge.
It was autumn and the park was particularly stunning with the leaves changing colour. The serene setting with its resident ducks and black swans was breathtaking.
McLaren Falls park is a certainly a great place to spend a few hours or in fact a few days. On a sunny day it would be a great spot to clamber over some rocks and go for a refreshing swim. McLaren Falls park is also home to one of the best botanical collections of trees in New Zealand.
This park is vast. Not only beautiful, but so much to do, you can kayak, walk, BBQ, swim, check out the Falls, camp, see glow worms, enjoy the lake or take a picnic for a very relaxing few hours.
There are some great walking tracks with interesting bushes and trees surrounding the area. If you are a camper you have the opportunity to book a spot to stay a night or 2. There is also a hostel in the park however I did not see it.
Beautiful panaroma and such awesome pictures. Great post.
Thanks so much, it really is a beautiful spot and it is all natural. Lyn
Welcome Lyn and yes it sure was awesome.
Beautiful photos Lyn
Thanks Denise
Beautiful photos as usual really enjoyed your blog thank you. 💟💜
Thanks Leah, always great to hear from you, 💜
I’m probably wrong about this, but it seems that there aren’t anywhere near as many waterfalls in the world as you might expect.
Just wondering . . .
Neil S.
Maybe it is all part of this climate change. I was always seeing waterfalls when I was young. I know there are many in the Hawaiian islands. Probably where there are mountains and high rainfall there are waterfalls. Lyn
wonderful
Thanks
Great post and one that brought back lovely memories. We have taken my parents there a few times, and they go on a regular basis. To the cafe that is, not a long walk :-) I love bush walks, and the “bush” over here is not quite what I would is bush. Though there are many beautiful old wooded forests here that are just as wonderful.
It is an easy walk, of course there are tracks that offer more challenge but the main area is good for most ages. I loved my many bush walks in NZ. Thanks Suzanne, Lyn
I enjoyed reading your post and the photos are super !
Thanks Linda. x
Amazing places you take us to! Fabulous images!
Thanks Nancy, I am truly blessed with the many amazing places that I have visited. Lyn
Fantastic photos. :)
Thanks Lynette
Fantastic photos, and wonderful narrative
Thanks Ron, Lyn
Loving the coloured leaves Lyn. Such a pretty place.
I agree Sue, just gorgeous, and something that we don’t see much of here in Brisbane. Thanks Lyn
I think I have just been transported there, thank you
That is lovely thanks Elaine, Lyn
Another great place to visit. Picturesque and lovely to see the trees changing colour for the season.
The changing colours were stunning especially their reflections in the lake. Thanks Gail.
Your beautiful photos remind me of the many places I can visit nearby on my island on the other side of the world in the Northern Hemisphere.
That is so nice and where is your island. Thanks Lyn
Sorry! Vancouver Island. I live in Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia, the most western province in Canada.
How lovely. I am going to be visiting there in July next year.
If you have any questions I expect I can answer them!
First question, what is your name?
Karen
thanks Karen. I will be staying with a friend on Vancouver Island for about a week and I am sure that we will be going to Victoria. I am so so excited. Lyn
Lovely photos! Living in Queensland, I really do miss the changing seasons and beautiful Autumn foliage.
I can understand that Mary, but those beautiful colours come at a cost. Thanks Lyn
It looks so lush there! I bet the air has a wonderful smell.
Of course it does have a wonderful smell. It is void of pollution. Just a lovely escape but then I love nature and getting off the beaten track. Thanks, Lyn
A bonus when bushwalking in New Zealand instead of Australia – no poisonous spiders or snakes to worry about, at least according to the tour bus driver we had when we went to Hobbiton in New Zealand.
Its funny that you say this, I remember the kiwis making these comments also when I was there, but I never think about these issues when I go bush walking here which is often. I do however worry about my dog getting a deadly tick. Now that is something else to worry about. Thanks Lyn
Very beautiful and as always some great photos!
Thanks Kay. It really is a pretty spot. Lyn
Wow beautiful! Makes me wish I was anywhere but where I live ;)
Yes, it sure is beautiful. Thanks, Lyn
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