The Tauranga man accused of robbing and assaulting two tourists at McLaren Falls Park has been released on bail until his next court appearance.

Dewald Fourie, 28, was charged with robbery and assault with intent to rob when he appeared in Tauranga District Court today. He is yet to enter a plea to the charges.

Dewald Fourie is accused of robbing and assaulting two tourists at McLaren Falls yesterday morning.

Fourie was arrested yesterday afternoon following a short police investigation after a man allegedly assaulted two tourists and demanded their car keys.

The tourists, who were staying separately in the park, both objected to the man's requests, Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier told SunLive yesterday.

'They certainly didn't make it easy for him,” he added.

Fourie is accused of approaching a man around 6am and assaulting him in an attempt to steal the van he was sleeping in.

Darryl says the accused then left the camp site and returned around 30 minutes later.

Police say Fourie then allegedly approached a female camper, not known to the first victim, and unsuccessfully attempted to steal her vehicle.

Police located Fourie 45 minutes after he allegedly left the scene with some of the female camper's property.

He was interviewed by police and arrested later in the day.

When he appeared in court today, Judge Thomas Ingram released him on bail to live at Tauranga Hospital's mental health unit.

He is due to reappear in court on October 29.