Manning Valley & The Great Lakes

Bombah Point is part of the coastal scenic route between Bulahdelah and Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens provides an alternative to the busy Pacific Highway, the historic car ferry at Bombah Point is the crossing point on the lake system.

Things to See & Do

• Historic Car Ferry
• Canoe
• Lake Activities

Buladelah is situated on the Myall River and is the gateway to natural wonders including Myall Lakes National Park and Grandis, the tallest known tree in NSW. North of the town is the Wang Wauk State Forest, home to luscious rainforests and great green plains.

Things to See & Do

• Grandis
• Myall River
• Myall Lakes National Park
• Wang Wauk State Forest

A popular holiday destination for families each year, Forster-Tuncurry are twin towns where Wallis Lake meets the ocean. Surrounded by National Parks and State Forests with long stretches of secluded beaches, the relaxed summer style of Forster-Tuncurry affords wonderful outdoor opportunities such as boating, fishing, diving, coastal walks and dolphin and whale watching.

Combine these with art and craft galleries, museums, unique shopping, amusement parks, clubs, and the opportunity to buy oysters direct from the oyster farmer or some freshly cooked fish from the local co-op and you have some idea of why Forster-Tuncurry evokes such fond memories for so many.

Things to See & Do

• Great Lakes Histrocial Museum
• Tobwabba Art Gallery

Famous for gold deposits and the bushranger Captain Thunderbolt, Gloucester is located in the north Hunter region, east of Barrington Tops.

The nearby state forests and national parks are ideal for walking, camping and outdoor adventure sports.

Things to See & Do

• Barrington Tops State Forest
• Copeland State Conservation Area
• Woko National Park

Midway between Taree and Forster is the coastal area of Hallidays Point and an ideal place to base your holiday within the Manning Valley-Great Lakes region.

Enjoy a refreshing littoral rainforest walk, which encompasses striking coastal landforms as well as rare tracts of coastal rainforest. The walk takes in the two headlands of Black head and Red Head and is joined by Black Head beach.

Hallidays Point boasts an 18 hole championship golf course within Tallwoods Village, arts and craft outlets and a bowling club.

Things to See & Do

• Headlands – Black Head & Red Head
• Black Head Beach

A charming seaside village along the northern bank of the Harrington inlet, the natural beauty of Harrington will captivate you as you stroll the long breakwall and perhaps stop to chat with the many keen anglers patiently waiting for their catch. Immerse yourself in the history of the area by visiting Pilots Hill Lookout, where the gravesites at this lookout are markers of the pilots whose job it was to guide boats over the dangerous sand bar.

The waterfront bollards in Harrington are the talk of the town and also form a visual display of Harrington’s history.

A great family destination, the beach lagoon at Harrington offers safe and clam waters for swimming.

Things to See & Do

• Crowdy Head
• Pilot Hill Lookout
• Coorabakh National Park

Cross the Oxley and Mitchells Islands for a magical scenic journey into Manning Point from the highway.

Manning Point is where the sea and the north arm of the Manning River meet which provides safe swimming at sun drenched sandy beaches. For an intriguing insight into the area’s oyster industry and heritage, there are a variety of river cruises on offer.

Things to See & Do

• 4WD Beach Access
• Ocean & River Access

Considered a beachside treasure, Old Bar’s uncrowded beaches, beach culture and relaxed flavour are undoubtedly what draws you to the area. For a step back in time explore this history behind the heritage listed airstrip in Old Bar where pioneering aviators such as Nancy Bird Walton and Charles Kingsford Smith landed their aircraft. Or enjoy a gentle stroll along the numerous walking tracks leading to the beach.

Old Bar Beach is a popular destination for the avid surfer and offers a variety of small shops and a supermarket along with cafe-style restaurants, take-away food stores and Club Old Bar catering for the local resident population and holidaymakers.

Things to See & Do

• Crowdy Head Beaches
• Saltwater National Park
• Crowdy Bay National Park
• Saltwater Surf School

There is a special charm that draws people to Pacific Palms from within the Manning Valley-Great Lakes region. Blessed with sparkling blue waters of the Tasman Sea and Wallis Lake and surrounded by lush rainforest, the area is truly a place of natural beauty. Palm forests rest lakeside and stretch to the rugged coastline.

Cafes and galleries nestle alongside luxurious retreats reflecting the unique relationship Pacific Palms has with its surroundings.

Named after the area’s majestic cabbage tree palms the heart of the area is the magnificent Booti Booti National Park, scenic lookouts, secluded coves and rainforest walks protecting over 200 species of birds characterise this natural wonderland.

Things to See & Do

• Wallis Lake
• Booti Booti National Park

Seal Rocks is a small, coastal town located 310km north of Sydney and is only accessible by an unsealed road – it is the perfect town to escape from the city.

Seal Rocks has a strong sense of community and features pure beaches, excellent dive sites and a magnificent lighthouse which was built in 1875. Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, with its panoramic views to the towns’ namesake rocks, is accessed via a private road which also passes a fantastic waterhole. The town’s apparent isolation hasn’t stopped dive, fishing and bushwalking enthusiasts discovering the town.

Seal Rocks has perfect proximity to Myall Lakes National Park, Hawks Nest and Pacific Palms, all this and retaining its uncrowded and secluded identity.

Things to See & Do

• Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse
• Myall Lakes National Park
• Hawks Nest

Taree is the major service centre of the Manning Valley. One of the most spectacular features of Taree are the immaculate riverside parks such as Fotheringham, Queen Elizabeth Park and Kendall Reserve. The parks are ideal for enjoying a picnic, watching the seagulls and pelicans or simply sitting and enjoying the tranquil views across the river.

For those wanting to enjoy boating or fishing activities, Taree offers many boat ramps and with a large part of the Manning River declared recreational fishing haven, a fishing outing will be stimulating and rewarding.

Taree is a popular stop over for those heading north from Sydney and boasts an excellent shopping centre with all the variety of larger centres for the excited shopper.

Things to See & Do

• Manning Regional Art Gallery
• Brimbin Nature Reserve
• Swim at nearby Diamond Beach