Great Lakes and The Manning Valley New South Wales

The Great Lakes and The Manning Valley are adjacent areas of outstanding beauty and diversity Great Lakes stretches from Forster in the north through Pacific Palms, Seal Rocks and Tea Gardens and Stroud inland. It is a beautiful place to live and visit with endless pristine beaches, lakes, national parks and forest.

Activities and events fill your time here from mountain biking to strolling on the endlessly long beaches to kayaking on still waters or fishing in the lakes and deep sea fishing or whale watching during the migration.   

The Manning Valley is where spectacular coastline meets rustic countryside and mountain trails. The Manning has 9 stunning National Parks and 45 kilometres of pristine coastline and beaches. The famous Ellenborough Falls one of the longest single drop falls in the southern hemisphere is within easy reach via Taree the main town in the Manning and the business centre of the district..... but you will find delight in discovering the other lovely villages in the area like Wingham, Harrrington, Nabiac, Diamond Beach and Hallidays Point.

Tallwoods golf course Hallidays Point

Black Head wetlands

Black Head bazaar one of many regular markets held in the region

Lakeside café line the shores in Forster

Forster the home of oyster farms

Pristine Black Head beach

Ellenborough Falls Manning Valley

The Falls are situated in a pristine natural environment inland from the small town of Wingham on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. The distance from Wingham is 45 kilometres with a section of 15 kilometres unsealed but in fairly good condition. The road meanders through lovely farmland and natural forests to Eland and the Bulga Plateau. There is a picnic area to relax in under tall shady trees, a kiosk which is not always open and there are two trails to explore the forest and view the falls. One  trail is a steep descent to the base of the falls and the other a more gentle walk of 700 metres taking you to the Knoll and a great lookout spot facing the falls. The forest features cascading ferns, a variety of gums and massive tallowwood trees, a species in the eucalypt family growing to heights up to 70 metres with leaves much favoured by koala’s. The information board at the picnic site contains a useful commentary on the forest, the falls and the Aboriginal heritage of the surrounding area.

 It is claimed on official web sites and information boards at the site that Ellenborough Falls are the second highest in the southern hemisphere. This is highly inaccurate as the height of the falls at 160/ 200 metres pales into insignificance when compared to waterfalls in both South America and South Africa which have drops of up to 800 metres. In fact on the world scale Ellenborough ranks 205^th among the highest falls in the world. However, this should not discourage a half day visit to this unspoilt  natural and ancient environment. More details can be found on  

www.manningvalley.info/attractions

Bobbin Head Recreation Area

Bobbin Head recreation Area has been a popular Sydney destination for many years. The range of facilities at Bobbin Head caters for a variety of pursuits in or around the waters of Cowan Creek, Boating and angling are two popular pursuits here and with the wide and generous range of picnic spots you are spoilt for choice at both Bobbin Head and adjacent Apple Tree Bay. The area is very popular at weekends and the best time to visit this lovely area is during the week. There are several walking trails along the banks of Cowan Creek and you're likely to encounter some of the local wild life like the large but harmless Goanna lizards. More information on this area can be obtained from the NSW Parks website: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/Ku-ring-gai..

Ku-ring-gai National Park

Ku-ring-gai National Park which surrounds the Northern areas of Sydney has many delightful spots to picnic, hike and simply to get closer to the natural world of this pristine and un-spoilt region of New South Wales. It is a credit to the Parks department and their many volunteers that we are able to enjoy these picturesque surroundings in close proximity to the city of Sydney.
West Head is one such area easily accessible from the well signposted turnoff from Mona Vale Road in Terrey Hills. The entire length of the road approaching West Head has a number of hiking trails catering to all levels of fitness. At the end of the road you will be rewarded with magnificent views over Broken Bay, Pittwater, Barrenjoey headland and lighthouse as well as across to the central coastal area on the northern side of the Hawkesbury River. Picnics can be enjoyed at the Resolute Picnic area amongst the giant Sydney Red Gums.

Sydney New Years Eve 2014

If you've got children a great way for them to experience the spectacular Sydney Fireworks NYE spectacular is to book a spot at the Milsons Point swimming pool. A limited number of people are allowed in and bookings must be made well in advance. The pool is open for swimming and fun before the special early fireworks show at 9.00pm. The event is very festive with families enjoying picnics on the terraces. The pool closes after the show at 9.00pm and whilst the early show is not as spectacular as the show at midnight it nevertheless makes for a great family night out with Sydney transport operating an efficient transport link from Milsons Point station.

North Coast New South Wales

Coffs Harbour is a great place to base yourself for a short break on the North Coast of NSW. There are many magificent beaches to explore and great coastal walks along the sandy shores. You will find many deserted beaches in the region both south and north of Coffs Harbour. The region has a number of National Parks along the coast as well as inland.

Emerald Beach ( North of Coffs)

Deserted beach

Colours and shapes

Thong Tree

The spectacular Dorrigo National Park, an hour inland from Coffs, is part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia, the name given to collectively over fifty remnant rainforests in New South Wales and South-Eastern Queensland, protected and recognised with World Heritage status. Today these form the most extensive areas of diverse types of rainforest to be found anywhere on the globe.
The National Park offers numerous opportunities for hiking with well marked trails, a Skywalk boardwalk and a 'Walk with the birds' boardwalk all add to the attraction of this pristine area.

Outside Bellingen on the way to Dorrigo

Railway Museum Dorrigo under planning stages.

 

 

 

 

 

The road to Dorrigo

Rainforest walk

View from Skywalk boardwalk