Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens which are linked by the singing bridge, lie at the southern tip of this stretch of Coast . When you leave the Pacific Highway at the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest turn off, you will enter a place where nature remembered everything – beauty and relaxation. Rich cattle growing country soon gives way to the panorama of Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, the Myall River, the Ocean and Islands that lie just off the coast and the Bay of Port Stephens.
Myall River abounds with aquatic and bird life and at certain tide times dolphins frolic up and down the river. The Myall waterways are a fishermans paradise offering river, bay and beach fishing all year round. You’re invited to enjoy mouth watering supplies of Myall prawns, oysters, fish, and crabs in season.
Non-fishermen can explore the rivers and lakes on one of the houseboats or day hire boats. There are good launching ramps in Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest with ample parking and fish cleaning facilities.
Myall Lakes National Park covers 21,367 hectares of which the Myall Lake, Boolambayte Lake and the Broadwater comprise some 10,125 hectares. The lakes are separated from the sea by swampy heathlands and sand dunes. The Park is characterised by a diversity of landforms, wildlife and vegetation. From the sand binding grasses colonising the beach dunes, the colourful flowers which brighten the heathland in Spring, the Banksias, magnificent stands of Angophora Costata to the slender Paperbarks fringing the lakes. Fauna includes Grey Kangaroos, Swamp and red-necked Wallabies, Possums, Koalas, Bandicoots, Sugar Gliders, Spiny Anteaters and Marsupial Mice. Aquatic birds include Black Swans, ducks, Ibis and Egrets.
HALLIDAYS POINT
Midway between Taree and the Great Lakes region is the coastal area of Hallidays Point – Diamond Beach. Most people who visit this coastal area are surprised at what they find. The Lands department has established a rainforest walk encompassing striking coastal landforms as well as rare tracts of coastal rainforest. This walk takes in two headlands being Black Head and Red Head and is joined by Black Head Beach. Lands Department Brochures are available at the Tourist Information Centre. Diamond Beach is perhaps one of our best kept secrets with two of the best resorts in the Valley backing onto sand dunes adjacent the Pacific Ocean. The Lavender Gardens boast over 25 varieties of Lavender on display and for sale.
Restaurants provide just the setting for a romantic dinner for two or perhaps the whole family would like to dine out. Accommodation is available in resort, unit and caravan parks in this popular holiday destination area of the Manning Valley.
HARRINGTON
The Northern arm of the Manning River reaches the ocean at the village of Harrington. The long breakwall dominates the river at this point, providing excellent fishing for the enthusiast.
From Pilot Hill Lookout expansive views of the coastline are afforded. The graves atop this hill attest to the pilots whose jobs it was to guide the boats over the treacherous bar to enable the timber to be picked up at the ports of Wingham and Taree. Harrington is one of the fastest growing holiday destinations in our area, with units, motels, hotels and caravan parks providing accommodation for visitors. Safe lagoon swimming is available providing full family outings with BBQ and picnic areas.
The local hotel and bowling club provide the evening entertainment, with restaurants also operating throughout the township. The shopping centre at Harrington all those necessities for the perfect holiday.
CROWDY HEAD
Only 4km from Harrington is the fishing village of Crowdy Head, home of the local fishing fleet. Crowdy headland provides excellent fishing spots, together with the opportunity for the less fortunate to buy fish at the local co-op. Crowdy Beach sweeps in a long arc through to Diamond Head in the National Park and because of the protection of the fishing harbour, offers safe swimming for the family.
Crowdy Head Surf Club is again another very active in the Manning Valley. The motel accommodation available in Crowdy Head is limited. The lighthouse perched high on the headland is easily accessed by sealed road and gives excellent views of the coastline, both north and south. Even on a cloudy day the coastline through to Manning Point and Old Bar is visible.
Old Bar
Old Bar is a thriving seaside village – one of the fastest growing in the Manning. It’s the closest surfing beach, just 16km from Taree. This beachside community offers much for the visitor and local alike, long white sandy beaches being the number one attraction. Old Bar’s other attractions include the mouth of the Manning River and the reserve/picnic area known as Mud Bishops Reserve which offers shaded picnic and BBQ facilities adjacent the Manning River.
Old Bar boasts a shopping centre complete with bank, real estate, grocery, butcher, greengrocer, hairdresser, chemist, hardware, post office, bakery (which opens at 2am – great if you can’t sleep!) newsagent, surf shop, video hire, craft shop and most important two great cafes & restaurants and a pizzeria. Entertainment is well catered for in Old Bar with the Bowling Club and Tavern providing the venues.
During Summer, the beach is a hive of activity as the local surf club goes through its paces whilst during the mild Winter months there is little more romantic than a stroll along a quiet beach. The sea and the north arm of the Manning River meet at Manning Point , an idyllic spot on the coastline of the Manning Valley. The Pacific Ocean provides safe, sandy beaches for swimming, whilst the river provides excellent fishing facilities. The local Oyster industry is located here and you can always purchase oysters from the friendly farmers dotted along the river.
MANNING POINT
Manning Point offers accommodation in units and caravan parks with the bowling club providing the entertainment. Manning Point is located on one of two large river islands near the mouth of the river, one being Mitchells Island and the other being Oxley Island. These islands are rich dairy farming districts and although once very sparsely populated, are now dotted with houses. Manning Point is a little over 35km from Taree, along the Old Bar Road.
This tiny village overlooking the South Pacific Ocean is popular with surfers and wave jumpers. It has been said that some of the best waves are caught off this headland. Saltwater Reserve is an aboriginal site and offers a shaded picnic area second to none in the Valley. This Reserve has BBQs, picnic tables, grassed areas that double as a cricket pitch, volleyball court or football field.
The Lagoon nestled against this picturesque Reserve provides safe swimming for all the family, while within 100m is a popular surfing beach for the more adventurous.
WALLABI POINT
This tiny village overlooking the South Pacific Ocean is popular with surfers and wave jumpers. It has been said that some of the best waves are caught off this headland. Saltwater Reserve is an aboriginal site and offers a shaded picnic area second to none in the Valley. This Reserve has BBQs, picnic tables, grassed areas that double as a cricket pitch, volleyball court or football field.
The Lagoon nestled against this picturesque Reserve provides safe swimming for all the family, while within 100m is a popular surfing beach for the more adventurous. Real estate at these areas is very popular and makes that ideal retirement location. Why not call in and visit the real estate agents while you’re in the Manning Valley, they might just have what your looking for.