Ask an expert. Ask us. Ask a local.
Yalawanyi Ganya is a designated Visitor Information Point staffed by friendly locals who know all the secret spots to have you living like a local in no time. Here you’ll find more than just information… you’ll get ideas to make your stay even better than expected.
Our visitor information points are located at Manning Regional Art Gallery, Myall Community Art & Craft Centre, Wingham Museum and Yalawanyi Ganya.
The building’s name is the Gathang language description for “the house of the meeting place” as it’s home to MidCoast Council administration and Council Chambers. In the light-filled spacious foyer you can enjoy delicious light meals and great coffee at The Junction Café, pick up some brochures for your journey and peruse the latest exhibition at the small gallery. There’s also an electric vehicle charging point in the car park.
In town you can visit the Manning Regional Art Gallery, shop at other galleries and boutique stores and enjoy fresh local produce at cafes, pubs and riverside restaurants. And not too far away are impressive nature experiences awaiting you.
If you’re looking for ideas for spending a whole day in Taree, then check out these Taree town traveller suggestions.
Ask the helpful staff at Yalawanyi Ganya for their recommendations, and about upcoming events that may interest you: TasteFest on the Manning, Powerboats Spectacular, Taree Envirofair, Wingham Music Festival and Old Bar Beach Festival… just to name a few.
Suggested itineraries from Taree
Looking for history:
In town you can take a self-guided walk though Taree's history with two easy walking itineraries. Combining both walks is 5.7 km and takes around 2.5 hours depending how much you dawdle. But take your time and you'll uncover 20 places of historic interest, so make sure you stop often to enjoy the vistas and streetscapes of this town built on the commercial strength of the Manning River.
More fascinating history can be enjoyed nearby at Tinonee Museum and Wingham Museum. Tinonee was the Manning River’s first port and the centre of commerce when rivers were the roads. Further upstream at the highest navigable point of the Manning River is the historic town of Wingham, home to Wingham Museum and the primary keeping place of local culture and heritage in the Manning Valley. Both these museums contain lovingly curated collections representing all facets of life here.
Looking for culture:
The centrepiece of the arts in the Manning Valley is Manning Regional Art Gallery which is open Tuesday to Saturday and showcases emerging and established artists, group and solo shows and high profile touring shows.
If you have more time, follow the Barrington Coast Arts Trail to further indulge your love of artistic expression across our region.
Shop for indigenous art and jewellery by local Biripi and Worimi artists at Deep Water Shark Gallery, a family operated Aboriginal art gallery. Stock up on all things art at Nadia’s Art Gallery and Gifts, join a workshop there or even rent some space for your own exhibition. Local artists are also on display at Taree Craft Cottage and Café for artworks, crafts and one-of-a-kind gifts.
Artisans On The Hill at nearby Mondrook combines onsite accommodation with a gallery to view and purchase artisan crafts, or you can join a workshop to create your own functional and artistic pieces.
Cultural expression of all types can be found at Manning Entertainment Centre, including live shows, cinematic shows and exhibitions at the adjacent Beryl Jane Flett Studio.
And keep an eye out for free live performances on the Manning Riverstage. This is a great place to relax while you enjoy a picnic spread on the grassy banks of the mighty Manning River.
Looking for nature:
The Manning Valley is more than just the stunning Manning River. There are awesome nature reserves and smaller rivers that offer beautiful walks. The best local walks around Taree include the Dawson River Wetland Boardwalk and Brimbin Nature Reserve.
Upstream at Wingham don’t miss Wingham Brush, a nature reserve covering 10 hectares of subtropical floodplain rainforest, one of only a few remnants of this rare rainforest type in Australia. Giant Moreton Bay figs tower over a gently winding wheelchair-friendly boardwalk suitable for all ages, where you’ll discover a large colony of endangered grey-headed flying foxes.
Saltwater seeker: A short drive east to the Manning River delta reveals a wealth of nature-based opportunities where the mighty Manning meets the Pacific Ocean. Visit the village of Manning Point at the northern mouth across from Harrington, or spend a day exploring the villages near the river’s southern mouth: Old Bar and Wallabi Point. An extra special bonus here is Saltwater National Park where you can surf at Wallabi Beach, stroll the Headland Walking Track to watch for whales or dolphins, paddle on the lagoon or stroll along the Five Islands Walking Track.
Coorabakh expedition: If you have more time in Taree, then make sure you experience the incredible views from the escarpment in Coorabakh National Park overlooking the Manning Valley. There are multiple lookouts, a hidden creekside cave, a rainforest boardwalk and great pub food afterwards at Coopernook Hotel.
