McLean Falls

McLean Falls

McLean Falls
4.5
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles114 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
25
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Patricia C
Houston, TX115 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
McLean Falls are rated the number one waterfall to visit in the Catlins, and they did not disappoint. The path is clear, but be prepared to climb because parts of it are steep and uneven. We met a group of elderly tourists who were struggling to make it all the way. So, if your fitness level is not the best, take your time and rest. Also, bring a bottle of water because even on a cool day, it gets warm.

I love the Catlins. They are just wild and wonderful! It's a magical place for anyone who enjoys nature.

One word of caution: After 3 weeks traversing both islands in NZ, the Catlins were the only place we lost GPS. In addition, the GPS - when it worked - couldn't distinguish between sealed and unsealed roads. I recommend an old-fashioned and clearly marked paper map of this area or you may have to get directions from the local sheep ranchers like we did!
Written 7 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephanie M
Sechelt, Canada443 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
A great stopping point, with a lovely walk that isn't too long or difficult, but a delightful walk in the forest. The falls are quite beautiful.
There were quite a few people there the day we stopped so once we got to the falls it was a bit crowded but still very much worth the walk.
Written 8 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GaryandLesleyTravel
Auckland Central, New Zealand7,814 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • Couples
The falls were great and well worth the easy 40 min return walk.
The top two falls then drop down the “chute” and a fourth drop of water. Very pretty as was the bush walk. A feature are the huge Punga some with stumps the diameter of large trees. Also spotted cute little Tom Tit’s on the walk back.
If you can’t see all the good waterfalls this is how we ranked them:
McLeans
Purakaunui
Matai
Horseshoe
Written 3 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephen & Sue
Canberra, Australia2,763 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
It's a 3klm gravel road, and then a 40 minute return walk to these falls, the longest walk to the 3 falls in this region.
But it's worth it, and these are the most impressive falls in the area.
Most of the walk is flat, shaded, and follows the stream, with one crossing over a solid bridge. It's as lovely walk, even before you reach the falls.
But after the first glimpse there's a fairly steep walk to the main lookout, and, if you want to get up close, you need to then climb a small rockface, with no obvious steps or handholds.Many people had done this, some with small kids in tow, but many others stayed at the lookout, and a few gave up before the steep section of the path.
There's a decent sized car park at the start of the track, with toilets, and at the turnoff from the main road is the very good Whistling Frog Cafe.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sally A
Wanaka, New Zealand554 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
This waterfall is definitely worth the hike. If you are fit and relatively young you will have no trouble with the walk in, but I recommend footwear with good gripping soles. It's wet underfoot in some sections; there are wet stones and the track has steep narrow steps on the top section. Walking poles would make the descent easier for those who are concerned about their balance or knees.
Written 22 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand916 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
This was definitely the best water fall in the Catlins. The roaring water and size of it was really good. Hard to photograph as it comes down like steps, but great to see. The track is well maintained and I would say easy as there are stairs, but it is worth the visit there. 40 minute return walk. Large carpark with toilet facilities. Part of the road is gravel, but it was also well maintained.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Found_Lost_Key
New Zealand1,183 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
Drive a couple of kms down a gravel road to the car park area where there is some nice toilets. Heaps of room for a campervan to turn around.
It is a 20 minute walk one way to the falls, not suitable for wheelchairs all the way. The last part of the walk is up hill via some steps. Very picturesque waterfall.
From the time we turned off the main road, to the time we got back to that same point was just over an hour.
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anark21
Christchurch, New Zealand19 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Couples
Visited at end of July in motorhome. Falls are at end of 3km track with no turning points other than car park at end. Road condition when we visited was appalling, huge pot holes and slippery clay sections on steep inclines. Definitely not suitable for type of vehicle we were in, some people in cars said they struggled in sections. Would help if there had been some sort of warning at start of road in.
Falls are beautiful though so if road is in better condition definitely worth the visit (and good toilets in car park 😁)
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laryssa W
New Zealand50 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Family
Lovely falls. Good walk to get to them (about 20mins) on a uneven track so not suitable for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues. If ypu are confident, climb the stones to the upper level and the top pond. Lovely spot for photos.
Written 15 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

santo t
Auckland, New Zealand7,404 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Nice waterfalls approx. 25m fall cascade type as the bonus after walk along 20 minutes track in the mid of mature podocarp trees, nice walk. There are two falls, the lower falls and the upper falls. Car park is off the road approx. 3 kms away from main road of Southern Scenic Route - Chasland Highway, some 60 km from Curio Bay. Named after Alexander McLean who live here and create easy access to this falls.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 104
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

MCLEAN FALLS (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

All things to do in Papatowai
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday HomesTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire