The Great Lakes district on the Lower North Coast of New South Wales encompasses the towns of Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens, Bulahdelah, Forster, Tuncurry, Taree, Wingham, Harrington, Hallidays Point, Crowdy Head, Manning Point, Old Bar, Wallabi Point. Being within 3 hours of Sydney the area is a popular retreat for city dwellers seeking to escape for the weekend..
The vast lake system offers a variety of water sports and activities. It’s your choice whether you actively participate or enjoy the gentle lapping from a possie by the water or perhaps on the water in a houseboat or cruiser. This extensive lake and river system offers a chance for photographers to get some amazing shots. At night you can listen to the gentle lapping as you relax on the fully self contained vessels complete with all modern amenities.
The Myall Lakes National Park is a complex of paperbark fringed lakes ideal for fishing, canoeing and houseboat holidays. The waterways are home to pelicans, sea eagles, kangaroos and koalas.
The first Amish community to settle in Australia can be found at Nabiac. The Amish Country Store has a range of unique arts and crafts which make excellent souvenirs.
Our state forests are wonderful places to drive through, camp, hike, 4wd, picnic and fish. Wallingat Forest Drive meanders past majestic native trees between The Lakes Way and Coomba Road. Wang Wauk Forest Drive contains some of New South Wales’ largest flooded gums including The grandis which is 85 metres tall. The Manning River is the focal point of the Manning Valley, with 150km of the river navigable. The unique delta system contains two mouths with a series of river islands separating the two channels of the river.
Taree is the commercial centre of the Manning Valley, offering all the facilities of the bigger cities with the added bonus of that laid back lifestyle of the country living.
The Manning Valley’s hinterland also offers plenty for the visitor. Wingham is the gateway to the Bulga and Comboyne Plateaux providing some of the most spectacular lookouts and walking trails within the State Forest system in N.S.W.
The Ellenborough Falls, Blue Knob, Lookout, Wautui Falls and Newby’s Caves make up just some of the attractions within the Manning Valley.
Come cruise our waterways and get up close and personal with dolphins, sharks and sea turtles. Forster and Tuncurry are home to over 200 licensed fishing vessels making this the second largest fishing district in new South Wales.
Our forest drives are an excellent way to get in touch with the area:
- BULGA FOREST DRIVE: is a scenic tour through timbered country north west of Wingham
- KIWARRAK STATE FOREST: 5km south of Taree. Highlights of this drive include The Pines picnic area and Breakneck Lookout COOPERNOOK STATE FOREST: Vincents Lookout is 330m above sea level and offers spectacular views
- MIDDLE BROTHER FOREST: Middle Brother Mountain (556m) was named by Captain Cook commands impressive views over most of the coastline.
- KATE KELLY’S CROSSING: adjacent to the Dawson River the walking trail covers 6.5km of forest