McLean Falls, Waterfall in Catlins Conservation Park, New Zealand.

McLean Falls drops about 22 metres where the Tautuku River meets its first pool, then continues down a series of steep drops and terraces. The track to it passes rimu, kāmahi, divaricating shrubland, large tree fuchsia, olearia stands and podocarp forest, and crosses a footbridge over Duckaday Creek before following the river valley.

The falls are named after Alexander McLean (1875–1938), a settler of Irish origin who was instrumental in opening the site to visitors. Duckaday Creek, crossed by the footbridge on the way up, was named by the early settler Doug McLean, who used to bathe in it from time to time.

The falls are named after Alexander McLean, an Irish-born settler (1875–1938) who was largely responsible for opening the site to visitors. The track also crosses Duckaday Creek, a side stream named by early settler Doug McLean, who used to bathe there. The walk passes rimu, kāmahi, huge tree fuchsia, olearia and podocarp forest.

You can reach the falls by walking for about 40 minutes from the car park, crossing a footbridge and climbing stairs along the way. The path is straightforward and leads to viewing points for both levels of the waterfall.

Duckaday Creek, crossed by a footbridge on the walk, was named by early settler Doug McLean, who used to bathe in it from time to time. The falls themselves are named after Alexander McLean (1875–1938), an Irish-descended settler key to opening the site to visitors.