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Accommodation_Guide_2011

     
 
 
Mid North Coast: Home | Our Towns | Nature | Attractions | Accommodation

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Content Menu
Our Towns
Karuah
Hawks Nest
Bulahdelah
Forster
Taree
Camden Haven
Wauchope
Port Macquarie
Kempsey
South West Rocks
All Pages

Towns and villages in the region covered by the
Mid North Coast iMag


karuah-overheadKaruah

A friendly and relaxed atmosphere welcomes when you discover the lure of Karuah. Enter into the magical, mysterious and hidden treasures of the Karuah Valley!

Enjoy the picturesque beauty and variety of activities that are on offer. Do you need somewhere quiet to rest, relax and let the children play?

  • Look no further than Karuah, conveniently located just off the Pacific Highway.
  • A short and enjoyable two hour drive north of Sydney.
  • Experience Karuah’s friendly and tranquil surroundings.
  • Let the children play in the safety of the tidal rock pool, while you sit back and unwind on the picturesque river bank.
  • Explore the sapphire water ways by boat. Bring your own, hire one or enjoy a river cruise.
  • The Karuah River flows through town, providing great scenery and beautiful places to have a family picnic.
  • Taste the famous Sydney rock oyster! Grown locally and known for its unique flavor.
  • Enjoy a game of Golf, walk along the rivers foreshore or one of the various forest walking trails.

 


Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens

Dolphins have fascinated people for centuries with their antics. Enjoy a day out, watching these hawksnest-picplayful creatures swim in the waters of the Myall Lakes.

Enjoy a meal out along the Tea Gardens foreshore. There is an excellent variety of restaurants and bistro settings giving you spectacular views of the river. These views feature abundant native birds such as pelicans, spoon-bills, egrets and even sea eagles.

  • Walk to the top of Yacaaba Headland for its views over Port Stephens and Myall Lakes.
  • Explore the many tracks around Mungo Brush.
  • Take the ferry at Bombah Point.
  • Visit and explore historic Stroud, with its many fine examples of colonial architecture.
  • Hire a houseboat and take a lazy cruise on the Bulahdelah River… catch some Bass while you’re at it.
  • Drive the Lakes Way around the lakes network of Smiths and Wallis Lakes.
  • Wax up your surfboard for some magnificent surfing and swimming.
  • Water-lovers’ paradise: Canoeing, boating, swimming and snorkelling are some of the sports enjoyed by visitors year-round on the wonderful Myall Lakes
  • Enjoy a picnic along the riverbank, a walk through the forest or a quiet stroll around the rolling sand-dunes.

Bulahdelah

Bulahdelah is located in an area of breathtaking natural Australian beauty.

Surrounded by National Parks, wonderful rural scenery, plus the waterways of the Great Lakes being located nearby.

Discover the natural wonder of the Australian Forest. Explore the various walking trails of the national parks.

Visit the historic sites of the town and the Old Courthouse. The old inn was a staging post for Cobb & Co. The Bulahdelah Logging Railway is a replica of the original.

There are roadhouses, restaurants and shops.

Watch the Bulahdelah Mountain in the background as you enjoy your meal.
Nabiac is a small country town north of Bulahdelah on the way to Taree via the Pacific Highway.


Forster–Tuncurry is situated in the north of the Great Lakes. 145 kilometres of pristine couple-picbeaches intrinsically linked to a rich rural hinterland stretching west to the foothills of the Great Western Divide. Covering over 3,300 square kilometres, one third of the total area is made up of National Parks and State Forests.  

Nestled within this majestic landscape is the glittering mosaic of waterways based around the Great Lakes network of: Myall, Smiths and Wallis Lakes. These have a total area four and one half times the size of Sydney Harbour. With such nature abounding it is not surprising that Great Lakes is so popular with tourists and a wide range of recreation users.

This natural beauty has also resulted in a growing permanent population base, with many attracted by the relaxed lifestyle the area can offer.


Taree is the cultural and entertainment centre for the Manning Valley. This thriving town has all the conveniences and amenities of the larger cities. Theatre, shopping, arts and crafts, restaurants, sports facilities, water sports, there is something for everyone.

National parks, forest drives and surrounding walking trails of the Manning Valley offer some of the most scenic attractions to be found on Australia's Mid North Coast.

Picnic and camping areas are available within the parks. Fishing and surfing are amongst the more popular activities with visitors.

Picnic with kangaroos in Crowdy Bay National Park, be dwarfed alongside very large Moreton Bay fig trees in Wingham Brush, unwind on a river cruise of discovery, laze on NSW’s cleanest beach and explore the historical villages and towns of the Manning Valley.

Camp with the kangaroos at Crowdy Bay National Park. View across the Manning Valley from Newbys or Flat Rock lookout

The Manning Valley offers 40km of coastline that include beautiful unpolluted beaches - reputed to be some of the best surfing beaches on the NSW North Coast. Beach areas include Halliday's Point, Wallabi Point, Old Bar and Harrington - all within a half hour drive from Taree.

The River and Rainforest Coast with white sandy beaches, majestic rivers, and an amazing hinterland awash with unspoilt beauty of national parks, rare rainforests, and spectacular natural features including

Experience the majesty of Ellenborough Falls - one of the southern hemisphere’s highest waterfalls. See the ancient Moreton Bay figs in Wingham Brush.

Absorb the thrilling coastline views from Crowdy Head lighthouse.

Enjoy fish and boat activities on the tranquil Manning River.

See Tapin Tops National Park north-west of Taree and views over the Manning hinterland.

Saltwater National Park: A significant place for the indigenous community.

Cruise the river or hire a boat from Manning Point marina.

Surf the best at Wallabi Point or Old Bar beaches.


Camden Havencamden-haven

At almost 500 metres above sea level, the views of the Camden Haven and surrounding regions from North Brother Mountain are nothing short of spectacular.

Stretching from the rugged escarpments and lush pastures of the Comboyne Plateau to the unspoilt beaches, rocky headlands and stunning views of the coastal strip between Bonny Hills and Diamond Head, the Camden Haven is within a 30 minute drive south of Port Macquarie.

The Camden Haven is renowned for its fishing and beaches, National Parks, State Forests, and outdoor lifestyle. Catch blackfish at Northern Breakwall, pick up a mud crab or two on Queens Lake or take a deep sea fishing charter; discover the rich fauna and flora in Kattang Nature Reserve and don’t miss magnificent North Brother Mountain. This region is a birdwatchers and bush walkers paradise.

It’s quite amazing, but you really can get almost anything you need in the Camden Haven!
Visit the Visitor Information Centre at Kew (open 7 days) for more information.

 


Wauchope

Find yourself on an uncrowded, life-guard-patrolled beach. Cruise serene rivers and waterways, at whatever speed takes your fancy. See migrating whales, pods of dolphins and koalas in their natural habitat. Explore remnant rainforests or the historic ruins of a colonial mansion. Discover the range of local markets, galleries, arts and crafts, and world-class wineries.

Enjoy delightful forest walks at Boorgana Nature Reserve in Comboyne - one of the oldest reserves in the state.

Take part in the pioneering activities at Wauchope’s Timbertown.

Pat a koala, feed the kangaroos and monkeys, or picnic on landscaped lawns at Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park.

Enjoy spectacular coastal views from majestic North Brother Mountain, rich in aboriginal folklore.
Take the coastal walkway along 15 pristine beaches

Fish, cruise or spot dolphins on the intricate inland waterways.
Visit NSW’s only Koala Hospital, where the koalas are fed twice daily
.
Set off on a camel safari along Lighthouse Beach.

Celebrate the thrill of a big catch on board a deep sea fishing charter.

Catch your breath after paragliding, waterskiing, kart racing, or horse riding through this picturesque district.



Port Macquariesurf

Cruise serene rivers and waterways.

See migrating whales, pods of dolphins and koalas in their natural habitat. Explore remnant rainforests or the historic ruins of a colonial mansion.

Discover the range of local markets, galleries, arts and crafts, and world-class wineries.

  • Enjoy delightful forest walks at Boorgana Nature Reserve in Comboyne.
  • Take part in the pioneering activities at Wauchope’s Timbertown.
  • Pat a koala, feed the kangaroos and monkeys, or picnic on landscaped lawns at Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park.
  • Enjoy spectacular coastal views from North Brother Mountain, rich in aboriginal folklore.
  • Take the coastal walkway along 15 pristine beaches.
  • Fish, cruise or spot dolphins on the intricate inland waterways.
  • Visit NSW’s only Koala Hospital, where koalas are fed twice daily.
  • Set off on a camel safari along Lighthouse Beach.
  • Celebrate the thrill of a big catch on board a deep sea fishing charter.

Catch your breath after paintball, waterskiing, kart racing, or horse riding through this picturesque district


Kempsey

Feel your muscles relax, breathe deeply, clear your mind, let your senses caress the wonderment of natural beauty and enjoy the core values shared by generations.

Then… come alive, rejuvenate… the Macleay Valley Coast has all you need. Appreciate it and it will appreciate you back!

Historic Trial Bay Gaol: overlooking aquamarine waters, numerous walks
and history abound.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse:sweeping views, opened
in 1891.

Hat Head National Park: numerous walks, drives (on beach included), rustic camping experiences.

Scenic Drive around South West Rocks: Horseshoe Bay Beach, Trial Bay Gaol, lighthouse and river.
Crescent Head Scenic Drive: rustic back roads.

Wigay Aboriginal Food Park: experience given by local aboriginals.

Slim Dusty Scenic Drive: Kempsey to Nulla Nulla, Slim Dusty’s childhood home.

Kempsey Visitor Information Centre: free video showings
on Akubra Hats and Slim Dusty.

 


 

South West Rocks

Historic Trial Bay Gaol is located in Arakoon State Recreation Area just a few kilometres from the lighthousecoastal town of South-West Rocks; being one of the most popular attractions on the mid north coast of NSW, with spectular scenery ranging from the gaol to the natural beauty of Trial Bay, the coast and beaches.

National Parks and Wildlife Service runs qualified discovery programs throughout Arakoon State Recreation Area, which include guided twilight tours of the gaol, spotlight walks and organised tours for school groups.

Twilight tours are held on the first Saturday of each month and holiday periods, and last approximately 1.5 hours, which includes a roam around the gaol museum.
trial-bay
Bookings are essential for all tours. Contact Arakoon State Recreation Area on 6566 6168, 7 days 9?am to 4.30?pm.
 
 
What's On

diary-web'What's On' Jan Feb 2011 on the Mid North Coast

 

  

JANUARY 2011

Tues 4

IWA INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING

Bone crushing, back breaking action! Great entertainment for the whole family, book tickets at Club Forster.

GREAT LAKES LIBRARY KID'S ACTIVITIES

Forster and Tea Gardens Library have fun activities for kids during the school holidays, pick up a copy of 'What's On' for further details.

Fri 7 & Sat 8

MYALL ART & CRAFT SHOW

Annual Exhibition featuring paintings and craft by local artists. 9am - 4pm at Hawks Nest Community Centre.

NATIONAL PARK DISCOVERY TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Join Discovery Rangers at Booti Booti & Myall Lakes NP's for another season of exciting activities for all the family.

Sat 15

COMMOTION BY THE OCEAN

Six bands are expected to play at the 8th annual youth-oriented concert at John Wright Park, Tuncurry organised by New Moon Productions.

Wed 26

COOMBA FEST

A community celebration of Australia Day featuring the famous Coomba Raft Race and markets, many other fun events on the day and preceding Australia Day. 

Wed 26

AUSTRALIA DAY FAMILY CELEBRATIONS

Celebrate Australia Day Great Lakes style! John Wright Park will be filled with live music and entertainment for the entire family. Adjacent to a huge amusement ride area. This is an event not to be missed!

For more details on these Great Lakes Events, visit www.greatlakes.org.au or freecall 1800 802 692

Discover the delights of the Great Lakes at this time of the year. There is no shortage of things to do, catering for all ages, swimming & surfing, markets, unique shopping, fine dining and numerous events. Great Lakes has so much to offer the visitor.

 

FEBRUARY 2011

 

Sat 29 Jan - Sun 6 Feb

THE DOWNUNDER PRO - FORMULA WINDSURFING AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

This International Grand Prix event covers 9 days at Jimmy's Beach, Hawks Nest. 90 - 100 competitors including internationals. This is a yearly event is held in 5 locations around the world.

Fri 11, Sat 12 & Sun 13

BULAHDELAH BASS BASH & BASS BASH BALL

A catch and release Bass fishing competition held at senior and junior levels, plenty of camping along the river edge and the famous Bass Bash Ball held on the Friday night.

Sat 12

BAY ADVENTURE

This multi-sport event is held in the Port Stephens and Great Lakes area, Tea Gardens. This off and on road multi event sees individuals and teams swim, run, mountain bike and kayak.

Sat 26 & Sun 27

BATTLE OF THE BOATS - Pacific Palms Surf Boat Carnival

One of the largest surf boat carnivals in NSW with boat crews from all over the state coming to compete in this award winning carnival.

Sat 26

TOM BURLINSON IN CONCERT

'Now We're Swinging' concert tour at Club Forster

Visit one of the Great Markets in the area this month!

 

Blackhead Bazaar - Sun 6

Bulahdelah Markets - Sat 5

Forster Town Park - Sun 13

Forster Farmers - Sat 19

Tea Gardens - Sat 15

Tuncurry - Sat 26

Nabiac Farmers - Sat 26

Pacific Palms - Sun 27