Macksville is the administrative centre of the Nambucca Valley. The Nambucca Shire Council has it’s headquarters in Princess Street along with Macksville Police Patrol, the Court House and Showgrounds.
Macksville High School boasts an enviable record for producing some of the nation’s great sporting giants. Macksville Recreation Centre is the largest indoor facility in the Valley and is situated towards one corner of the High School campus.
Macksville Ex Services Club has loads of entertainment and is the place to go in the Nambucca Valley
Picnicking and fishing can be enjoyed from the banks of the river with barbeques and tables on the north side near the bridge.
The Nambucca Valley, 552 Km north of Sydney, is steeped in the history of coastal shipping and timber getting. Timber getting commenced around the 1840s when cedar logs were floated down the rivers. Later, bullock teams provided the transport between the felling and the mills.
In 1867 dairy and small crops were established. Later, ship building became a booming industry.
Between 1878 and 1954, no less than 15 ships were wrecked on the bar and river. Dairying continued to develop with butter factories established at Taylor’s Arm, Macksville, Bowraville and Eungai. Banana plantations were established in the 1930s.
Nambucca Heads is approximately 40 minutes south of Coffs Harbour and boasts superb stretches of uncrowded coastline supporting many and varied water sports. There’s accommodation and eateries to suit all budgets and tastes.
There are breathtaking views from local lookouts especially Yarrahapinni Lookout, which commands one of the most impressive coastal panoramas in the state. Learn more about the early history of Nambucca Valley at Bowraville.
The Vee Wall Breakwater at the Nambucca River entrance has become a giant outdoor gallery for graffiti artists. Construction of the breakwater began at the turn of the century and until about 10 years ago people anonymously left their art for all to see. Artistic endeavours are now encouraged and lovers, believers, families and visitors return year after year to preserve their efforts
VALLA BEACH
Valla Beach is located just north of Nambucca Heads and 25 mins south of Coffs Harbour. Valla Beach offers postcard views and all-year-round tropical atmosphere. This small coastal community is the perfect holiday destination and welcomes an influx of tourist every holiday season including the Hot Rod convention and the VW spectacular
There are many reasons people like to holiday at Valla Beach – fishing in our pristine waterways, surfing at any of the beautiful beaches, horseriding through the rainforest or along the beach, the monthly markets at Valla Park resort, to name just a few.
Come and enjoy a relaxed stress-free holiday!
This information and photos supplied by Valla Real Estate
Eungai
Eungai comprises the two small villages of Eungai Creek and Eungai Rail, and includes the areas of Browns Crossing, Allgomera Creek valley and Eungai Creek valley including Tamban. It is just off the Pacific Hwy. between Macksville and Kempsey, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, about 500 km north of Sydney. Many travellers passing through experience a little of Eungai when they stop at the popular rest area on the Pacific Highway known as Paddy’s Rest.
Eungai is a rural district, with cattle grazing, pigs, vegetables, flowers, fruit and nuts being the most predominant forms of agriculture. It is bordered in the west by the Ngambaa Nature Reserve, an opportunity for tourists to get off the beaten track and experience dry forested ridges and rainforest gullies, and the Tamban and Ingalba State Forests which provide timber for the declining number of independent saw mills in the area. There are well sign posted tracks through the forest and reserve leading to Kempsey, Willawarrin, and Taylors Arm, with it’s ‘Pub with no beer’. Tanban Road, which winds it way through the forest from Collombatti to Eungai, was the original path used by the local Aboriginals as a link between the Macleay and Nambucca valleys. It was also the route of the first white explorer, Clement Hodgkinson in 1843, as he trekked north from Kempsey to the Clarence River.
A major feature of the Eungai landscape is the view of Mt.Yarrahappini. Yarrahappini means ‘koala rolling down a hill’ in the local Aboriginal Gumbayngir language. This ever changing, forest covered mountain, dominates the landscape of Eungai. There are pleasant rural drives to be had in the area with Mt Yarrahappini Lookout and the Way Way Picnic Area being popular spots.
Heading inland from Eungai Creek village is a well sign posted rural road to Cedar Park; a remnant of the Red Cedar forests that once covered the area. A small plantation of red cedars was established in the 1950’s to compliment the few remaining in the park. There are BBQ facilities, toilets,and walks in this popular National Park and Wildlife Service maintained park.
Eungai info compiled by David Dunne
TAYLORS ARM
Thirty kilometres south west of Macksville is the village of Taylors Arm and its legendary hotel, The Pub With No Beer.
The song, The Pub With No Beer, was the biggest selling Australian recording in its day and earned Slim Dusty the first gold record ever awarded in Australia and the first and only gold 78rpm record.
The song has put the town on the tourist map. Thousands of visitors from Australia and overseas find that, contrary to the song, there is a cold beer waiting at the Taylors Arm Hotel. While you’re quenching your thirst, you can view the mass of photographs and memorabilia that decorate the tiny bushpubs walls.
A few kilometres away you’ll find Bakers Creek Station where you can spend the day horseriding, canoeing, swimming, bushwalking or relaxing over lunch in the lakeside gardens. Comfortable overnight cabins are available or you can set up camp
SCOTTS HEAD
The seaside village of Scotts Head is one of the district’s fastest growing centres and is a great holiday spot for families.
There’s safe swimming in the Bay for kids and those of us less energetic. The village’s sheltered, unspoiled beaches are enclosed by rocky promontories which offer excellent fishing. The town is also home to the most active surf club and water sports abound.
There’s kilometres of clean sandy beaches and dunes for walkers and joggers. Or you can try your hand at fishing either from the banks of Warrell Creek or from the beach or rocks.
In recent years services and accommodation have increased as a direct reflection of more building.
Scotts Head Reserve Trust has a 198 site park for caravan campers, 10 on-site vans, camping facilities, barbeques and amenities block.
BOWRAVILLE
Bowraville was the setting for the movie, The Umbrella Woman starring Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward. Many of the props for the movie can now be found in the Museum whilst the stars loved the area so much they bought a property nearby.
Origin of the name Bowra remains a mystery as there are four versions, three stemming from Aboriginal words meaning “Bullrout“, “Scrub turkey” and “Bald head“. The fourth meaning is said to have come from an army man, Captain Bowra, who had been sent to the area in search of cedar.
Every October Long Weekend the town celebrates with the Back to Bowra Festival. Booking enquiries or more information can be obtained from the Back to Bowra Committee, c/- Post Office, Bowraville 2449.
In April there’s the Bowra Blues Festival.
Bowraville’s “spring Fair” at Goldie Park is held mid November. Proceeds to Autumn Lodge Auxilary and New Toilet Block Goldie Park. Great Family Day at the centre of the universe – Bowraville.
The Eliza and Joseph Newman Folk Museum contains much memorabilia from a German wartime mine washed up on Middle Head Beach in 1942, to an old red Telephone Booth. There are working displays, you can experience side saddle, and see the Kevin Maloney Collection of cap tallies and navy memorabilia. Our newest attraction is a rock and mineral exhibit.
Perhaps you’d like to marry in the oldest church in the district, now situated in the grounds.
The museum is open
- Saturday & Tuesday from 10am to 3pm
- Sunday from 11am to 4pm
- Generally other days from 10am to 12.30pm
- SCHOOL HOLIDAYS – Every day from 10am to 3pm
- Other times on request