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Quicklinks down page
 1. Ellenborough Falls
2. Crowdy Bay National Park
3. Wingham Brush Nature Reserve
4. Middle Brother National Park
5. Waitui Falls
6. Coopernook Forest Drive
7. Big Nellie Lookout
9. Newby's Cave and Lookout
10. Starrs Creek Picnic Area
12. Lansdowne Escarpment Drive
13. Boorganna Nature Reserve
14. Bulga Forest Drive
15. Blue Knob Lookout
16. Tirrell Creek Flora Reserve
17. Bird Tree and Benaroon
18. Breakneck Lookout
19. Apex Lookout
20. Andrews Reserve
| Introduction | | Experience the Manning Valley's natural attractions once and you'll discover the pristine qualities of an area still largely untouched by commercialisation. Take a good look around - you will discover spectacular views from lookouts to forest walks with some of the largest trees to be found in NSW. There are also local arts and craft galleries, specialty shops and many fine restaurants, cafes and cosy tea rooms to tempt your tastebuds. With so much to see and do, you will want to stay another day, or two. Listed below is a small sample of things to see and do.
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| 1. Ellenborough Falls | | Located on the Bulga Plateau at Elands, one hours drive north-west of Taree on Tourist Drive Eight, Ellenborough Falls are a spectacular site. At 200 metres, it is one the longest single drop waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere. A timbered walkway to the bottom of the falls with rest spots on the way provides a comfortable walk. There are also viewing platforms, barbecues, picnic tables and walking trails.
Note: Load limits have been imposed on two bridges between Wingham and Marlee (on the way to Ellenborough Falls). These limits are: 12 tonnes on the Duffs Bridge and 2 tonnes on the Marlee Bridge.
Detour signage is in place but if you are touring with a caravan or trailer, you may leave them at the Wingham Show Ground (fees apply). If your vehicle is then under 2 tonnes, you may proceed along the normal route. For more information, contact the Visitor Information Centre on 6592 5444.
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| 2. Crowdy Bay National Park | | Located in the northern section of the Manning Valley, this National Park covers some 6000 hectares of coastal plains. Vehicle access to the Park is via Coralville Road at Moorland on the Pacific Highway (28km north of Taree).
Picnic and camping areas are available within the Park and the main attractions are fishing and surfing, while in Spring and early Summer, the abundance of wildflowers are a spectacular sight. Diamond Head is the main camping area with barbecue and toilet facilities. A special charm of this camping area are the many friendly kangaroos. The low nature of the coastal vegetation on the headland makes walking easy in this National Park providing excellent views along with interesting rock formations extending into the ocean. Walking trails within the Park include the cliff base walk. Author Kylie Tennant often spent time at Diamond Head where she built a hut from which she wrote her book "The Man on the Headland". The hut was a gift to the National Park in 1976 and was restored in 1980.
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| 3. Wingham Brush Nature Reserve | | Wingham Brush Nature Reserve represents part of the last 10 hectares of sub-tropical floodplain rainforest in NSW. Located on Tourist Drive Eight at Wingham, 10 minutes drive west of Taree, Wingham Brush Nature Reserve is situated adjacent to the Manning River.
The Brush includes Moreton Bay Figs that are hundreds of years old. The rainforest canopy provides a home for a large population of grey headed flying foxes. The Brush includes walking trails with interpretive signposting, barbecue and picnic areas, boat launching and swimming in the river.
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| 4. Middle Brother National Park | | Is Situated 35km north of Taree, and is home to Middle Brother Mountain. The mountain is one of the three distinctive peaks (North, Middle and South Brother). Sighted and named by Captain Cook on his voyage in 1770, the forest includes walking trails, picnic areas, the Bird Tree and Benaroon (two of the largest Blackbutt trees in NSW), the Big Fella Gum Tree (67.3 metres tall) and Old Fire Lookout. At 556 metres, the top of Middle Brother Mountain commands impressive views over most of the surrounding coastline.
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| 5. Waitui Falls | | Located in Comboyne State Forest these falls are on the branch of the Camden River. The Falls drop five metres into an attractive and refreshing pool for swimming. Fireplace and tables are provided. The Waitui Falls are an ideal location for a Summer picnic.
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| 6. Coopernook Forest Drive | | Situated north of Taree (15 minute drive) attractions within the National Park include Starrs Creek, Newby's Creek Walk and Cave, Newby's Lookout, Starrs Creek Picnic area, Flat Rock Lookout, Big Nellie Mountain and Waitui Falls. All these attractions are located along the Coopernook Forest Drive. Maps are available from the Manning Valley Visitor Information Centre. Further details of attractions on this Drive are listed below.
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| 7. Big Nellie Lookout | | Big Nellie Mountain is located in Coorabakh National Park about an hour's drive north of Taree. The climb takes about 20 minutes but only should be attempted by fit walkers. It's a large volcanic plug which rises to a height of 560 metres above sea level and from the top provides panoramic views. The climb takes about 20 minutes. There's a picnic and barbecue area at the bottom of Big Nellie.
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| 8. Newby's Lookout | | On the edge of the geological feature known as the Lansdowne escarpment, this wheelchair-friendly lookout ofers a magnificent view over the Manning Valley. It's a great place to picnic and observe wedge-tailed eagles and other birds, such as peregrine falcons.
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| 9. Newby's Cave and Lookout | | In Coorabakh National Park along Newby's Creek Road is Newby's Cave, a large overhanging rock forming a natural shelter in the creek bed. The cliffs at Newby's Lookout form part of the geological fault that starts at Vincent's Lookout.
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| 10. Starrs Creek Picnic Area | | Also located in Coorabakh National Park, Crystal clear water and cool moist rainforest are the attractions at Starrs Creek. This area offers barbecue and picnic tables along with a rainforest walk.
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| 11. Flat Rock Lookout | | Flat Rock is perched on top of a breathtaking 500m drop. The lookout has beautiful views of Coxcombe, Goonook and Killabakh Nature Reserves. These spectacular formations are remnants of a volcano that dominated the Comboyne Plateau to the west.
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| 12. Lansdowne Escarpment Drive | | The Lansdowne escarpment is a picturesque sight, particularly on sunset as the sunlight sets behind this impressive outcrop of rock formation. Located on the upper Lansdowne Road, this drive will take you onto the Coopernook Forest Drive.
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| 13. Boorganna Nature Reserve | | Located in the western edge of the Comboyne Plateau, 6km west of Comboyne. Access is along the Innes View Road from the Wingham/Comboyne Road. The reserve is a remnant of the former extensive rainforest of the Comboyne Plateau. Enjoy a picnic and relax. Stroll the 2.7k walking track that starts at the picnic area and descends through the tranquil rainforest to Rawson Falls. The return trip takes about 2 hours at a steady pace and is uphill all the way back. Overlook the 40 metre drop of the falls from Rawson Lookout, 1.7k along the track. The reserve is rich in diversity of rocks, soil, landscape, plants and animal life.
Bring your bird book as this spot is popular for bird watching particularly during the early hours of the day.
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| 14. Bulga Forest Drive | | Located in Tapin Tops National Park, one hour from Taree this drive takes in Ellenborough Falls, Dingo Tops and Blue Knob Lookout. There are barbecue and picnic areas along the drive.
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| 15. Blue Knob Lookout | | Located on the Bulga Forest Drive, Blue Knob Lookout is a 1014 metre peak; one of the highest in the Manning Valley.
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| 16. Tirrell Creek Flora Reserve | | Located 8km inside the entrance of Bulga State Forest, this area covers 187 hectares of natural bush set aside for scientific and educational purposes. Short walks from the picnic area lead to one of the largest known Sydney Blue Gums in NSW and a number of waterfalls, Refreshingly pleasant on a hot summer's day.
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| 17. Bird Tree and Benaroon | | Located in Middle Brother National Park, 35 minutes drive north of Taree, these are the two largest Blackbutts known to State Forests. The Bird Tree has a diameter of 3.6 metres and stands 69 metres high.
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| 18. Breakneck Lookout | | Located in the Kiwarrak State Forest just five minutes drive south of Taree, this lookout provides a 360 degree panorama of the Manning Valley.
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| 19. Apex Lookout | | This Lookout provides commanding views over Taree Estate, the Manning River and fertile farming lands. Located on Ritchie Crescent, Taree West.
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| 20. Andrews Reserve | | This parkland area in the Taree Estate (west Taree) overlooks the Manning River and offers visitors picnic and barbecue facilities. It's also a popular area for water skiing.
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