The waters of the Manning River are important for our history and our identity, and these bustling towns on our mightiest river are a good place to start your exploration of the beautiful Manning Valley.

The Manning River is one of the lifebloods of the Barrington Coast: its spirit and soul.

Directions to Taree and Wingham

How to get to Taree and Wingham by car, train, coach or plane.

Taree

Located on the beautiful Manning River, Taree is the major commercial centre of the Barrington Coast and is a great place to base yourself to explore the region. There are a wide variety of accommodation options for your stay, ranging from cheap and cheerful motels to charming riverside apartments.

Taree offers a great variety of shopping with modern undercover complexes, arcades, boutique gift and clothing shops, craft centres, antiques and speciality stores. While you’re out and about, be sure to grab a coffee or lunch at one of the many popular cafes and restaurants that are dotted around the town.

Recreational facilities include numerous sporting fields, the Recreation Centre, racecourse, ten pin bowling, Manning Entertainment Centre, aquatic and leisure centre, and rowing and sailing clubs. For a relaxing day out, take a plunge in our modern Aquatic Centre with indoor and outdoor swimming or play some golf at one of our five excellent golf courses.

Pack a picnic and explore the riverside parks with their shady grassed areas, meandering paths and playgrounds that overlook the flowing water. For some adventure and excitement, grab your kayak, boat or Jet Ski and get out on the mighty Manning River itself. Another must-do is a visit to the beautiful Apex Lookout in Taree West.

Taree Is also home to the Manning Regional Art Gallery, a vibrant cultural hub, promoting art and community engagement in the Manning Valley and Barrington Coast region for 30 years. The Gallery presents a diverse and outstanding exhibition program throughout the year showcasing, emerging and established artists, group and solo shows and high-profile touring shows.

Wingham

A ten-minute drive west of Taree is the historic town of Wingham.

Settled in 1853 on the banks of the Manning River, this unique township offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time. Its rich heritage is evident in the many National Trust listed Federation buildings which surround the town.

From the second you drive past the town entry sign on Wingham road, you enter the history of the Manning. To the left is Chrissy Gollan Park, originally the site of Chinese market gardens and now an open green space for meeting friends, throwing a ball around, having a picnic or just relaxing under the shade of a tree.

Spend some time at the Historical Museum, which is open 7 days and showcases a vast collection of interesting memorabilia. Shop at the gorgeous boutique stores and eat at one of the local cafes, where you can savour the flavours of fresh local produce.

Down by the river’s edge you will discover Wingham Brush, a nature reserve with a difference. Covering 10 hectares of subtropical floodplain rainforest, it is one of only a few remnants of this rare rainforest type in Australia. Giant Moreton Bay figs tower over a gently winding boardwalk, where you will discover a large colony of endangered grey-headed flying foxes.

The weekends in Wingham are filled with colourful markets and the chance for you to purchase fresh, locally grown produce, hand crafted gifts, clothes, candles and more!

Each October, splendid sounds mingle with the heritage surroundings as the Wingham Akoostik Festival kicks into action. Music lovers are drawn to town for three days of live entertainment, workshops and quality food and market stalls.