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Taree and its surrounding Manning
Valley is a river and rainforest coast located just over a three
hour drive north of Sydney on the Mid North Coast of NSW. The
Manning Valley offers a breathtaking combination of rivers,
mountains, forests and beaches, taking in more than 26 seaside
and hinterland towns and villages that are a haven for nature
and water-based activities. Major towns include Taree, Wingham,
Old Bar Beach, Manning Point, Harrington and Hallidays Point.
1 Crowdy Head and
Crowdy Bay National Park. Crowdy
Head Lighthouse and Lookout provides fabulous views up and down
the nearby coastline and superb whale watching opportunities
during the migration season. There's also some great beaches for
swimming at Crowdy Head, just a 5 minute drive from Harrington.
Best swimming beach is Crowdy Bay Beach on the northern side
where there's a surf life saving club and is patrolled
throughout the
 summer months.
Crowdy Bay
National Park is a great spot for bushwalking, surfing and
camping. Access to the Park at the southern end is gained by
turning off the Pacific Highway at Moorland or alternatively off
Crowdy Road just before entering the village of Crowdy Head.
Camping areas include Kylies Beach and Diamond Head. Australian
author Kylie Tennant's hut is located within Crowdy Bay National
Park which is located during a short and delightful loop walk
starting at Kylie's beach Camping Area. It passes through
forested glades of black wattle oak, scentless rosewood and
cheesetree.
2. Wingham
Brush Nature Reserve, 10 minutes
drive west of Taree is a rare sub-tropical floodplain rainforest
reserve regenerated over past 20 years to become an
internationally acclaimed 7 hectare site of interest to landcare
groups, environmentalists, holidaymakers and day visitors who
derive enjoyment from the huge canopy of trees and the large
population of grey headed flying foxes. This Nature Reserve
includes boardwalks and interpretive signposting detailing the
history of regenerating this rainforest area. There is a nearby
riverside aquatic area featuring picnic facilities and toilets.
3. Ellenborough
Falls. A 200 metre single drop
waterfall, reputed to be the second longest in the Southern
Hemisphere, is located 1 hours drive north-west of Taree on
Tourist Drive 8. Ellenborough Falls also features barbecue and
picnic areas, viewing platforms, walking trails and steps and
seating to the bottom of the Falls.
4. Coorabakh National
Park. 30 minutes north of Taree
off the Pacific Highway is the National Park located between
Taree and Port Macquarie featuring a number of lookouts and
short walks including Flat Rock Lookout, Starrs Creek Rainforest
Walk, Newby's Lookout and caves. It is an ideal loop drive
departing the highway at Moorland and rejoining it at Hannam
Vale.
5. Tapin Tops
National Park. Located 45 minutes
drive north west of Taree at the intersection of Dingo Tops and
Knodingbul Road. Features of this park include Rowley's Rock
Lookout providing panoramic views to Taree and the ocean beyond
and Dingo Tops Rest Area which includes picnic areas, toilets
and a nature walk off the picnic area.
6. The Manning River.
Located across the landscape of the Manning Valley inland from
Taree, Wingham and its upper reaches out to the seaside villages
of Harrington and Old Bar. This is one of the rarest rivers in
Australia for its delta river system status featuring two mouths
out to the ocean. In total 150km of navigable waterways provide
visitors with ideal opportunities for boating and fishing. The
Manning River is also a recreational fishing haven.
7. Brimbin Nature
Reserve. Just 10 minutes from
Taree accessed off the Wingham Road this Nature Reserve is
located adjacent to the Dawson River and includes nature walks,
picnic tables, shelters, gas barbecues and toilets.
With over 6 national parks and
nature reserves, rare subtropical floodplain rainforests, 150km
of river, rare species of flora and fauna, one of the largest
single drop waterfalls in the southern hemisphere and some
fantastic and unspoilt stretches of coastline makes the Manning
Valley a great from the city areas when heading
north.
Key attractions in the Manning
Valley include:
• Wingham Brush Nature Reserve.
This rainforest remnant is part of the last remaining 10 per
cent of sub-tropical floodplain rainforest in NSW. The "Brush"
as its affectionately called in the local area includes giant
1000 year old Moreton Bay figs, 76 species of trees and 32
different vines. "Th e Brush" is also one of the most significant
maternity sites in NSW for the grey-headed flying fox. As many
as 100,000 of these fascinating creatures hang in the Brush's
huge Moreton Bay Fig trees during the summer. Wingham Brush is
located on the Manning River at Wingham, 10 minutes west of
Taree.
• Ellenborough Falls: a 200 metre
waterfall and a further 30 minutes drive from Wingham on the
scenic tourist drive 8 drive linking Taree to Port Macquarie.
Features superb viewing platforms, timbered walkway to the base
of the falls, BBQ and picnic facilities together with a food
kiosk that operates on weekends and public holidays.
• National Parks - Coorabakh
between Coopernook and Hannam Vale, Tapin Tops north-west of
Wingham,, Middle Brother north of Johns River and Saltwater
between Taree and Old Bar.
• The Manning River - 150kms of
navigable waterways to enjoy boating, fishing and recreational
activities.
• Miles and miles of beaches - 11
beach areas to enjoy including the award-winning Black Head,
Crowdy Head , Crowdy Head South, Diamond Beach, Diamond Head,
Harrington, Manning Point, Old Bar, Red Head, Saltwater and
Wallabi Point.
 • Heritage and arts and crafts -
The Manning Valley has a rich European and indigenous heritage
to explore including walking tours around the heritage town of
Wingham. Immerse yourself in the many arts and craft outlets
dotted around the Manning Valley’s many seaside and hinterlands
towns and villages.
• Vibrant events and festivals:
The Manning Valley is the home to an exciting year-long calendar
of sporting and cultural events including Craftathon (January),
the Manning River Summer Festival incorporating round one of the
Australian Formula One Superboat Series (January), Manning Beef
Week (April-May), Manning Powerboat Racing & Aquatic Festival
(Easter long weekend), Taree Arts Festival (bi-ennial June),
Flair Fashion Awards (August), Comboyne Spring Festival
(September), the Non Conventional Homes Eco Tour , Old Bar
Festival and the Skies the Limit Kite Flying Festival at
Hallidays Point ( October long weekend) and Killabakh Day in the
Country (November).
Principal towns in region:
• Taree
- (population 20,000)
• Wingham - (population 5000)
• Old Bar -
seaside (population 3200)
• Halliday’s Point/Diamond Beach -
seaside (population 2300)
• Harrington/Crowdy Head - seaside
(population 1500)
• Tinonee - riverside
• Manning Point and its
surrounding islands (riverside and seaside)
GETTING TO
TAREE
Distance:
309 km north of Sydney
By car:
3-
3.5 hours drive north of Sydney
By coach:
5 hours from Sydney with Greyhound/Pioneer,
Premier Motor Servi ce and McCafferty’s Coaches, all offering
daily services.
By rail:
5 hours from Sydney on Countrylink.
By air:
50
minutes by Big Sky Express Airlines from Sydney. Weekday morning
and evening flight services and weekend services. Phone 1800 008
759. |
