Taree
Population 16,700 Taree is located on the banks of the Manning River, 330km (205 miles)
north of Sydney.
Characteristics
Taree is the commercial centre of the Manning Valley, which offers a diversity
of natural attractions from scenic lookouts and waterfalls that plunge
deep into a box gorge, to some of the cleanest, whitest beaches on the
east coast of Australia.
Climate
Average temperatures: January max 29C (84F) - min 17C (63F); July max 18C
(64F) - min 6C (43F). Average annual rainfall: 1171mm (46 ins).
How to Get There By Air
Qantas, 13 1313, has flights from/to Sydney.
By Bus
McCaffertys, 13 1499, and Greyhound Pioneer, 13 2030, stop at Taree on
their Sydney/Brisbane runs.
By Rail
There is an XPT Countrylink service from Sydney to Taree and the trip takes
5 hours, 13 2232.
By Road
From Sydney (310km) and Brisbane (8 hours), via the Pacific Highway.
Visitor Information
The Manning Valley Visitor Information Centre is on the Old Pacific Highway,
Taree North, 3km north of the Taree Shopping Centre, (02) 6552 1900 or
1800 801 522. They are hopen 7 days a week 9am-5pm, and the complex includes
a restaurant, public toilets, and a 70-seat theatrette showing an audio-visual
presentation. The email address is manningvic@ gtcc.nsw.gov.au and the
web address is www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au/tourism
Accommodation
Taree has many motels, a few caravan parks, and houseboats for hire (available
from Manning River Holidays Afloat, 36 Crescent Avenue, Taree, 6552 3162).
Here is a selection of accommodation with prices for a double room per
night, which should be used as a guide only. The telephone area code is
02.
Riverview Motor Inn, Old Pacific Highway, 6552 2122. 21 units, 1 suite,
licensed restaurant, swimming pool - $100.
City Centre Motor Inn, 4 Crescent Avenue, 6552 5244. 20 units, swimming
pool, barbecue - $80-90.
Best Western Caravilla Motor Inn, 33 Victoria Street, 6552 1822. 27 units,
licensed restaurant (closed Sunday), swimming pool - $75-85.
In-Town Motor Inn, 77 Victoria Street, 6552 3996. 20 units, spa bath, barbecue
- $70-80.
Marco Polo Motor Inn, Pacific Highway, 6552 3866. 20 units, swimming pool,
sauna, barbecue - $100-110.
Agincourt Motel, 9 Commerce Street, 6552 1614. 21 units - $45-65.
Jolly Swagman Motel, 1 Commerce Street, 6552 3511. 21 units, barbecue -
$55-90.
Chatham Motel, Pacific Highway, 6552 1659. 10 units - $40-45.
Arlite Motor Inn, cnr Bligh Street & Pacific Highway, 6552 2433. 20
units, swimming pool - $50.
Caravan Parks
Twilight Caravan Park, Pacific Highway, &0500 854 448. (Pets allowed
under control), 65 sites - powered sites $17-20 for two, on-site vans $30-40
for two, cabins $35-70.
Riverside Caravan Park, Reid Street, Croki, 6556 3274. (No pets), 38 sites,
barbecue - powered sites $15-18 for two, on-site vans $35 for two, cabins
$35 for two.
Eating Out
The hotels all have restaurants and snack bars, and some of the motels
have licensed or unlicensed restaurants. The local licensed clubs also
have dining rooms and bistros. Here are some restaurants you might like
to try.
Thai Tarni, Albert Street, 6552 2366. BYO dine-in or take-away. Open 5.30pm-9.30pm
every day except Monday and for lunch 11.30am-2pm Tue-Fri.
Il Colosseo, 32 Oxley Street, 6552 6289. BYO, Italian, also offers free
pizza delivery within a 10km radius. Open 6pm-10pm every day except Monday,
and until midnight Fri-Sun.
Shades, 23-25 Oxley Street, 6552 1455. Fully licensed restaurant with an
international menu. Open every day except Sunday 6pm-midnight.
Kowin Chinese Restaurant, 22 Chatham Avenue, 6552 3482. Licensed, open
7 nights 5pm-9pm.
East Court Chinese Restaurant, 73 Victoria Street, 6552 2465. Licensed,
salad bar, banquets, open 7 nights 5pm-10pm.
Silhouettes, Shop 5, 103 Victoria Street, 6552 1393.
Pelican, Old Pacific Highway, 6552 2122.
Laurents, 33 Victoria Street, 6552 5022.
Jin Hong Chinese Restaurant, 91 Victoria Street, 6552 7199.
Seafood on Victoria, 166 Victoria Street, 6557 8111.
McDonalds is on the corner of the Pacific Highway and Manning Street. You
will find KFC at 38 Victoria Street. Pizza Hut is in Manning Mall, Manning
Street, 13 1166.
Points of Interest
Taree is, as we have mentioned, a holiday town, and there is not a great
deal of sightseeing, just plenty of places to relax and take advantage
of the river.
The riverside Fotheringham and Queen Elizabeth Parks offer the opportunity
to feed the pelicans and seagulls, and to observe the river.
Manning River Cruises, 6557 4767, have a cruise boat on the Manning, with
informative commentary to accompany your charter. There are regular departures
during school holidays.
The Big Oyster, Pacific Highway, North Taree, is like the other striking
and largely ludicrous 'Bigs' in the country.
Festivals
The Taree Aquatic Festival is held each January, and the Taree City Festival
is held every two years in June.
Facilities
An 18-hole golf course, several tennis courts, 4 bowling clubs, BMX track,
Olympic swimming pool, basketball stadium, indoor cricket stadium, squash
courts, ten pin bowling, greyhound racing and horse racing, and facilities
for rugby league, rugby union, soccer, hockey, and netball.
The Manning Entertainment centre, 6551 0555, has a 505 seat auditorium,
and local clubs have top local and interstate bands throughout the year.
There is also a twin cinema.
Outlying Attractions Harrington
The northern arm of the Manning River reaches the ocean at Harrington,
and a long breakwall provides excellent fishing. The town is about 5km
south of the east-side turn-off on the Pacific Highway.
Safe lagoon swimming is available, and there are barbecue and picnic areas.
From Pilot Hill Lookout there is a good view of the coastline. The graves
near the lookout are those of pilots whose jobs were to guide the boats
over the treacherous bar to enable the timber to be picked up at the ports
of Wingham and Taree.
The Harrington Crowdy Tourist Information Centre is at 85 Beach Street,
Harrington, 6556 1188.
Crowdy Head
4km (2 miles) north-east of Harrington is the quaint village of Crowdy
Head, the home of the local fishing fleet. There's good fishing from
the headland, and a co-op if you don't have any luck yourself. The lighthouse
is easily reached by a sealed road, and gives excellent views of the
coastline, both north and south.
Crowdy Beach sweeps in a long arc through to Diamond Head in the National
Park, and offers safe swimming.
The Harrington Crowdy Tourist Information Centre is at 85 Beach Street,
Harrington, 6556 1188.
Manning Point
The township is a little over 35km (22 miles) from Taree, and is located
on an island near the mouth of the river. The sea and the north arm of
the Manning River meet at Manning Point, with the ocean providing safe
white sandy beaches for swimming, and the river providing excellent fishing.
Wingham
Situated 13km (8 miles) west of Taree, Wingham has a feeling of 'olde England',
with its town common that is also the local cricket pitch. There are
also about 13 buildings which have been classified by the National Trust
for their historical significance, and most have been carefully reconstructed.
They include the School of Arts, the Police Station and Court House,
the Bank Building, Gibson & Skinner Butchery and the Australian Hotel.
Manning Valley Historical Society's Museum, corner Farquhar & Bent
Streets, 6553 5823, hopen 10am-4pm, is also located within the town square
area, and displays include Jimmy Governor's cell, together with various
items relating to the history of the area.
Wingham Brush, located 500m from the shopping centre on Farquhar Street,
is 7ha (17 acres) of coastal rainforest, with birds and native marsupials.
The Brush is adjacent to the Manning River and has picnic tables, barbecues
and boat launching facilities.
Use the resources of the Taree Information Centre to obtain further details
of Wingham, 6552 1900.
Forestry Drives
Bulga Forest Drive is a scenic tour through timbered country north west
of Wingham, passing the Ellenborough Falls near Elands. The round trip
from Wingham takes visitors through three State Forests - The Bulga,
Dingo and Knorrit.
Kiwarrak State Forest is 5km (3 miles) south of Taree, adjacent to the
Pacific Highway. Highlights of this 16km (10 miles) sign-posted drive include
the Pines picnic area and Breakneck Lookout.
Coopernook State Forest Drive includes Vincents Lookout, Newbys Creek Walk,
Newbys Lookout, Starrs Creek, Big Nellie Mountain and Wautui Falls.
Middle Brother Forest surrounds Middle Brother Mountain (556m -1824 ft).
Several walking trails have been established within the Forest, and attractions
include the largest Blackbutt trees in the State.
Old Bar
The town centre of Old Bar is only 16km (10 miles) from Taree's closest
surfing beach. Old Bar's attractions, apart from the beach, are the mouth
of the Manning River and the reserve/picnic area known as Mud Bishops
Reserve, which offers shaded barbecue facilities.
Hallidays Point Diamond Beach
Midway between Taree and the Great Lakes region is the coastal area of
Hallidays Point - Diamond Beach. The Lands Department has established
a rainforest walk encompassing the coastal landforms as well as rare
tracts of coastal rainforest. The walk takes in two headlands, Black
Head and Red Head, and is joined by Black Head Beach. The Visitor Information
Centre in Taree has brochures on the Walk.
Nine Mile Beach stretches southwards.
New South Wales North Port Macquarie
Population 33,700
Port Macquarie is situated at the mouth of the Hastings River on the North
Coast of New South Wales, 423km (263 miles) north of Sydney.
Climate
Average temperatures: January max 25C (77F) - min 18C (64F); July max 18C
(64F) - min 7C (45F). Average annual rainfall: 1563mm (62 ins). The CSIRO
suggests that Port Macquarie has the most ideal climate in Australia.
A warm off-shore current combines with the surrounding barrier of hills
to form a pocket, and produce this small range of temperature.
Characteristics
A major coastal tourist resort and retirement area, Port Macquarie is the
most historically significant town along the coast between Newcastle
and the Queensland border.
In October, 1818, John Oxley reached the mouth of the Hastings River and
described the area as "... a beautiful point of land, having plenty of
good water and grass, and commanding a fine view of the interior of the
port and the surrounding country". He named the inlet Port Macquarie in
honour of the Governor of the Colony of New South Wales. In 1821, the settlement
of Port Macquarie was established by a pioneer party of soldiers and convicts.
How to Get There By Air
Qantas, 13 1313 provide flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle,
Taree, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Ballina and Coolangatta.
By Bus
Greyhound Pioneer, 13 2030, and McCaffertys, 13 1499 stop at Port Macquarie.
By Rail
The XPT service from Sydney stops at Wauchope and a coach service connects
with Port Macquarie, 13 2232.
By Road
From Sydney, via the Pacific Highway on a 400km trip. From Brisbane, either
the Pacific Highway along the coast (510 km), or the Cunningham Highway
to Warwick, the New England Highway and then the Oxley Highway back to
the coast.
Visitor Information
The Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre is on the corner of Clarence
and Hay Streets, (02) 6581 8000 or 1800 025 935. Their hopening hours
are 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4.30pm weekends. Their web page is at www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au and
they can be emailed at vicpm@midcoast.com.au
Accommodation
There is a lot to choose from in Port Macquarie itself, and then there
are the nearby resorts of Lake Cathie, North Haven and Laurieton. It
is still advisable to book well in advance during the Christmas and school
holiday periods.
The prices listed here are for a double room per night, which should be
used as a guide only. The telephone area code is 02.
Sails Resort, Park Street, 6583 3999 or 1800 025 271. 83 guest rooms and
suites, spa, sauna, mini golf, tennis, waterfront restaurant, cocktail
bar - $150-315.
Country Comfort Port Macquarie, cnr Buller & Hollingworth, 6583 2955
or 1800 065 064. 61 units, licensed restaurant, swim-ming pool, spa, barbecue
- $115-165.
El Paso Motor Inn, 29 Clarence Street, 6583 1944 or 1800 027 965. 55 units,
licensed restaurant, swimming pool, spa, sauna, barbecue - $100-115.
Best Western Macquarie Barracks Motor Inn, 103 Hastings River Drive, 6583
5333 or 1800 622 511. 14 units, swimming pool, barbecue - $100-170.
Aquatic Motel, 253 Hastings Drive, 6583 7388. 21 units, swimming pools,
barbe cue - $80-150.
Rocky Beach Motel, 10 Pacific Drive, 6583 5881. 10 self-contained units,
barbecue - $65-90.
Arrowyn Motel, 170 Gordon Street, 6583 1633. 14 units, basic facilities,
pool - $55-95.
Port O'Call Motel, 105 Hastings River Drive, 6583 5222. 13 units, swimming
pool, barbecue - $70-115.
Narimba Lodge Motel, 4 Narimba Close, 6583 3839. 5 units with en suites
and a range of facilities - $55-80.
Bed & Breakfast
Lighthouse Beach B&B Homestay, 91 Matthew Flinders Drive, 6582 5149.
Self-contained, spa, swimming pool, barbecue, garage parking, guest library,
adults only - $110-150.
Belrina B&B, 22 Burrawong Drive, 6582 2967. Luxury accommodation with
ensuite bedroom, barbecue, swimming pool - $95-110.
Dolphin View B&B, 53 Matthew Flinders Drive, 6582 3561. Ensuite rooms,
swimming pool, parking, adults only - $110-145.
Joy's Doo Drop Inn B&B, 29 Laguna Place, 6583 3405. Situated on canal
waters with private jetty available, solar heated swimming pool, barbecue
- $75-110.
Caravan Parks
Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, 1 Munster Street, 6583 2755. Swimming
pool, games room, guest lounge, no pets allowed - powered sites $19-32
for two, cabins $50-140 for two.
Hastings River Caravan Park, 268-270 Hastings River Drive, 6583 3387. En
suite cabins, tent area, powered sites, barbecue, swimming pool - powered
sites from $18 for two, cabins from $45.
Lighthouse Beach Holiday Village, 50 Hart Street, 6582 0581. 24 self-contained
cabins, 91 powered sites, no pets allowed - powered sites $16-30 for two.
Melaleuca Caravan Park, 128 Hastings River Drive, 6583 4498. Budget to
luxury accommodation, swimming pool and slide, barbecue, central location,
no pets allowed - 81 powered sites $18 for two, on-site vans $35-60 for
two, cabins from $55-115.
There is a Youth Hostel at 40 Church Street, 6583 5512. It has 9 rooms
at $20 per person twin share.
Eating Out
There are many restaurants in the town, offering local seafood, French,
Italian, Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Vegetarian and Aussie fare. Here are
a few you might like to try.
Cray's Restaurant and Fish Cafe, 74 Clarence Street, 6583 7885. Seafood
specialists, licensed, lunch and dinner, quality takeaway available.
Scampi's on the Marina, Park Street, 6583 7200. Seafood, dinner 7 days
after 6pm, BYO, 'Seafood to Go' quality takeaway available for dinner 7
days.
Filou Restaurant, Mercure Sand-castle Motor Inn, 16-24 William Street,
6583 4646. Licensed, French cuisine, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Zephyrs on Clarence, 2 Clarence Street, 6583 6822. Authentic Australian
foods including crocodile, kangaroo and barramundi, licensed, open from
6pm.
Spinnakers Resort, Sails Resort, Park Street, 6583 3999. A la carte dining,
licensed, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Al Dente, 74 Clarence Street, 6584 1422. Licensed Italian restaurant on
the waterfront, lunch and dinner.
Cafe 66, 66 Clarence Street, 6583 2484. BYO, Italian fare, from snacks
to meals, open late.
Toro's Mexican, 22 Murray Street, 6583 4340. BYO, dine in or take away.
Pancake Place, cnr Clarence & Hay Street, 6583 4544. BYO, open seven
days from 10am, take-away and home delivery.
McDonalds is on the corner of Bay & Park Streets, opposite Settlement
City and on the corner of the Pacific Highway and Oxley Street. KFC is
on the corner of Horton and Hayward Streets. The phone number for Pizza
Hut deliveries in the area is 13 1166.
Shopping
Two major shopping centres in the town are:
Port Central Shopping Centre, Horton Street, 6584 2988; and
Settlement City Shopping Centre, Bay Street, 6581 7377.
Points of Interest Peppermint Park, cnr Pacific Drive & Ocean Street (near
Flynn's Beach), 6583 6111, has landscaped parkland with water slides,
pools, mini golf, aviaries, monkeys, 'Twista' Dodgems and roller skating.
Barbecue facilities, a milk bar, and a fitness trail are other attractions.
The Park is hopen Tue-Sun, and every day during school holidays. Adults
$14, children $14, pensioners $9, family $50.
Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, Pacific Drive, 6582 3355,
has a 1.3km boardwalk within 6.2ha (15 acres) of coastal
rainforest. There is also a theatre with continuous shows,
a restaurant, gift shop and picnic area. The centre is hopen
daily 9am-4.30pm. Adults $10, children $6, pensioners $8,
family $25.
The Church of St Thomas the Apostle, cnr Hay & William
Streets, was built by convicts, completed in 1828, and has
the original box pews made from local red cedar. In the church
grounds is the old hospital dispensary, now a simple chapel.
For a donation of a couple of dollars, two-hour tours are
available on weekdays. The hospital was across the road,
where St Agnes' Catholic Church now stands.
Fantasy Glades, Port Macquarie's Fantasy World, is
in Parklands Close, off Pacific Drive, 6582 2506. Situated
in 2.5ha (6 acres) of rainforest gardens, the Glades have
ghosts, castles, dragons, witches, dwarfs, mini-cars and
train rides. There are also barbecue and picnic areas and
a coffee shop. A wonderful attraction for families. hOpen
daily from 9am-5pm. Adults $9, children $6.
Kingfisher Park, Kingfisher Road, off the Oxley Highway, has a large collection
of Australian fauna and farm animals. There is also a coffee lounge and
barbecue facilities. hOpen daily from 9am, 6581 0783. Adults $9, children
$6, family $25.
Billabong Koala & Aussie Wildlife Park, near the
intersection of the Pacific and Oxley Highways, 6585 1060,
is another place where you can cuddle a koala or pat a kangaroo.
There are also indoor and outdoor displays and activities,
a souvenir and gift shop, a barbecue courtyard, and Matilda's
Restaurant. The Park is hopen every day 9am-5pm. Adults $9,
children $5.
The Hastings District Historical Museum, in Clarence Street near the
corner of Hay Street, 6583 1108, won the Museum of the Year Award way back
in 1981 and 1982. Its 14 rooms are hopen Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm, Sun 1.30-4.30pm.
Port Macquarie Observatory, in Rotary Park, William
Street, allows visitors to observe the Solar System with
the aid of a Planetarium and telescope. hOpen Wed and Sun
7.30-9.30pm (8.15-10pm during Daylight Saving).
Both the Historic Cemetery Gardens and Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park are
situated at the southern end of Horton Street. The cemetery has many old
graves dating back over 150 years, and the nature reserve has landscaped
gardens and walks along the creek.
Tacking Point Lighthouse, at the end of Lighthouse
Beach Road, is the third oldest in the country.
Macquarie Nature Reserve, Roto House off Lord Street, has an historic visitors'
centre, and in the grounds you can picnic, spy on some healthy koalas,
or visit some sick ones in the yard of the Koala Hospital a short distance
away (the public is not permitted inside the complex itself). The koalas
are fed daily at 8am and 3pm. The Koala Preservation Society of NSW is
a voluntary organisation and your support will help save the koalas in
Port Macquarie.
Old World Timber Art, 120 Hastings Drive, 6583 2502,
is where you can watch craftsmen creating hand-crafted woodware
and souvenirs from beautiful Hastings timbers. The complex
is hopen Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, and the showroom is open Sat-Sun
10am-4pm.
Thrumster Village Pottery, is a pottery and craft
centre situated 9km (6 miles) west of Port Macquarie on the
Oxley Highway. Pottery, leatherwork, copper enamelling, hand
made glassware and hand crafted works are on display. hOpen
daily during school holidays, otherwise Thurs-Sun 9am-5pm,
6581 0885.
Cassegrain's Hastings Valley Winery, Pacific Highway,
is hopen daily 9am-5pm, 6583 7777. They offer winery inspections,
wine tasting and cellar door sales. There are also picnic
and barbecue facilities, a children's play area, cooperage
and souvenirs.
Surfing beaches are part of the city atmosphere. The
best known is Lighthouse Beach, which has magnificent surf
for boards and body surfing.
Tours
The Visitor Information Centre has details of many river cruises, boat
hire outlets and deep sea fishing charter boats. They can also advise
on bush and forest safaris.
Here is a selection:
Port Explorer Bus, 1800 025 935 for details. Town Tour, $15 adults, $12
children, $13 pensioner.
Eagle Iron Motorcycle Tours, 1800 025 935 for details. From $34 for half
an hour to $290 for a full day (7 hours).
At the southern end of Lighthouse Beach, Camel Safaris, 6583 7650, offer
camel rides lasting from 20 minutes ($14 adult, $9 child) to overnight
camping safaris ($195pp).
Everglades Waterbus, 6582 5009. 5 dolphin-spotting cruises on offer, from
adult $22 to $50.
Fantasea, &015 256 742. Adults $19, children $8, pensioners $17, family
$48.
Macquarie Mountain Tours, 1800 025 935 for details. Full day, adult $85,
child $50; River and Mountain Escape, adult $80, child $40, Wine Tasting
Tour, $23.
Mansfield's Aussie Beach and Bush Tours, 1800 025 935 for details. Full
day with two meals provided, $80.
Port Macquarie Canoe Safaris, 1800 025 935. Short day tour, $55 adult,
$33 child. All day tour including lunch, $85 adult, $45 child.
Port Macquarie River Cruises, 1800 025 935 for details. A number of choices
including a 2hr scenic cruise, $17 adults, $17 child, $9 pensioner.
Queens Lake Cruiser, 1800 025 935 for details. 2hr scenic cruise, adult
$16, child $8; 4hr lunch cruise, $23 adult, $12 child.
Seaplane Joy Flights, 1800 025 935 for details. From $45 adult, $22 child.
Wingaway Air Scenic Flights, 18000 025 935 for details.
Festivals
Port Macquarie has The Carnival of the Pines over the Easter period, and
Wauchope (see separate entry) has Colonial Week in September.
Sports Fishing
Mid Coast River Fishing Charters, 1800 025 935 for details. 2 people full
day, $125.
Odyssey Charters, 6586 3132. Long Day Reef/Trolling $155 (minimum 10 people),
other packages available.
Port Macquarie Estuary Sport-fishing Tours, 6582 2545.
SeaQuest Fishing Charters, 6583 3463. $100 adult, $70 child.
Airborne
High Adventure Airpark, 1800 025 935 for details. Microlite flight ($145
for 1hr), tandem hanggliding ($160 for 20mins) and tandem paragliding ($145
for 30mins) are a few of the activities available.
Skydiving, 6584 3655. $290 for a tandem jump.
Horse Riding
Cowarra Homestead Forest Trails, 1800 025 935 for details. 1hr $28, 2hrs
$45, several routes to choose from.
Watersports
Port Macquarie Kayak Adventures, 1800 025 935 for details. Half-day $33.
Port Water Sports, 1800 025 935 for details. Parasailing $50, coastal tour
$39.
Golf
Supa Putt Golf, 1800 025 935 for details. Adult $7, child $5 for 18 holes.
Outlying Attractions South West Rocks
The largest seaside resort in the Kempsey Shire is South West Rocks, 32km
(20 miles) north-east of Kempsey, near the mouth of the Macleay River.
The town was so named because the pilot officer at Grassy Head, the old
entrance to the river, advised masters of vessels to anchor in Trial Bay,
south-west of the rocks to ensure their ships would be in deep water with
room to manoeuvre under sail.
There are many beaches in the area, and two interesting places to explore:
Trial Bay Gaol and Smoky Cape Lighthouse.
Trial Bay Gaol, overlooking Trial Bay, was opened
as a prison in 1886, and later during World War I was an
internment centre for 500 Germans. Guided tours are available
through the gaol, or you can browse through the complex,
with its museum pieces and restored cells. The gaol is hopen
9am- 5pm daily, 6566 6168.
Smoky Cape Lighthouse, on the border of Hat Head National
Park, is the highest lighthouse on the NSW coast, standing
128m (420 ft) above sea level, and was opened in 1891. Visitors
are welcome on hTuesdays and Thursdays, and you can chat
to one of the light-keepers, and admire the outstanding views.
On the shores of the beaches around South West Rocks there are many wrecks of
vessels dating back to 1816.
Kempsey
Situated 48km (30 miles) north of Port Macquarie, Kempsey straddles the
Macleay River and is the heart of a fast growing valley renowned for
its natural beauty and stress-free lifestyle.
Attractions include: The Macleay River Historical
Societies' Museum, which can be found in the Information
Centre complex on the Pacific Highway, South Kempsey, hopen
daily 10am-4pm; The Kempsey Shire Library and Les Graham
Art Collection, Elbow Street, West Kempsey, hopen Mon-Fri
10am-6pm, Sat 9am-noon; and Kempsey Saleyards, Kemp Street.
There are many bushwalks and drives in the Macleay Valley.
The area has facilities for every kind of sport imaginable on land and
water.
The beaches in the Kempsey Shire offer safe, patrolled sections for families.
The village of Stuarts Point is the focal point for the beaches that stretch
north from the mouth of the Macleay River to the Shire's boundary above
Middle Head.
The coastal village of Hat Head is regarded as one of the top fishing spots
on the coast of NSW, because of its close proximity to the continental
shelf. Hat Head is situated in the heart of the Hat Head National Park,
and is the perfect base for a quiet family holiday, a fishing trip or a
nature-lover's excursion.
The Kempsey Visitor Information Centre is on the Pacific Highway, South
Kempsey, hopen Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, weekends 10am-4pm. (02) 6554 8799 or 1800
642 480 or email at ktic@midcoast .com.au
Wauchope
Wauchope is 19km (12 miles) west of Port Macquarie on the Oxley Highway.
At the centre of the region's timber industry, this historic town draws
visitor mainly to its Timbertown theme park.
The main attraction is Timber-town, 6585 1866, an entire village
recreated to demonstrate the struggles and achievements of the pioneers.
It has a steam train, timber sawing, a bullock team, a woodturner and a
general store selling the finished goods plus lollies from glass jars and
licorice by the yard, amongst other things from 'the good old days'.
There is also a bakery offering freshly baked damper with home-made jams,
and Devonshire teas. The houses and the church have been faithfully reproduced
in the manner of the era (1880-1910), many with fine furniture and utensils
brought out from the home country. You should allow 4 hours minimum for
a visit, maybe more if it's a hot day and you spend some time in the Maul
and Wedge Hotel. Timbertown is open daily from 9am. It is 3km from Wauchope
on the Oxley Highway.
Another attraction is the Big Bull in Redbank Farm, 50 Redbank Road,
6585 2044, just over the river. The Bull is 14m (46 ft) high, and in the
complex there is a working dairy farm, an animal nursery, an educational
display, hay rides, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop. It is hopen daily
9am-5pm.
The Wauchope Information and Neighbourhood Centre is in Shop 3 Roland Plaza,
33 High Street, 6586 4055.
Laurieton
Laurieton is south of Port Macquarie on Ocean Drive, and is part of Camden
Haven. It is another popular holiday spot, with a range of accommodation,
restaurants and clubs.
This is a great area for fishing, and there are many good beaches
to tempt you. The town is overlooked by North Brother Mountain, from which
there are good views of the town and the coastline. Kattang Nature Reserve,
a few kilometres east, and Crowdy Bay National Park, just south, are two
pleasant natural features of the local environment.
Crowdy Bay National Park is located in the northern section of the
Manning Valley, and covers some 6000ha (14,820 acres). Access to the park
is via the Coralville Road at Moorland, some 35km (22 miles) north of Taree.
Picnic and camping areas are available within the park and the main attractions
are fishing and surfing. Diamond Head is the main camping area with barbecues
and toilet facilities, however drinking water is not available within the
Park.
Author Kylie Tennant often spent time at Diamond Head, where he built a
hut from which he wrote The Man on the Headland. The hut was a gift to
the National Park in 1976, and was restored in 1980.
Boorganna Nature Reserve is on the western edge of the Comboyne Plateau,
7km (4 miles) west of Taree. Access is along the Innes View Road from the
Wingham/Comboyne Road. Brochures on both of these parks are available from
the Tourist Information Centre in Taree.
The Camden Haven Neighbourhood Information Centre is in 1 Seymour Street,
Laurieton, 6559 5676.
