Ten minutes north of Taree and just off the highway is the tranquil seaside village of Harrington which sits at the northern mouth of the Manning River.

In 1894 a long breakwall was built to protect the entry channel for shipping, which now it serves as a scenic walk and great fishing location. The nearby Pilot Hill Lookout provides expansive views over the river delta and the graves on the hill bear witness to the pilots whose task was to guide the boats over the bar.

A taste of holidays from the past, Harrington’s relaxed seaside lifestyle is a welcome escape from today’s frantic pace. Rest in riverside parks or cast a line for that elusive catch of the day. See the resident pelicans rest atop colourfully painted power poles waiting for the fishing boats to return. There are riverside and seaside caravan parks, cabins, pubs, clubs and cafes with great views so you can watch the hive of activity happening on the river.

Nestled between majestic National Parks and State Forests, Hannam Vale is one of the most fertile and picturesque valleys in the Barrington Coast.

Hannam Vale is the ideal place for a country getaway, romantic escape, or family holiday. Stay awhile and explore the Barrington Coast hinterland while still being close to the popular beaches and tourism attractions of towns like Port Macquarie and Taree.

You will find friendly hospitality in a range of bed and breakfast, farm-stay, and self-contained accommodation.

Hamilton is a suburb of Newcastle known as a popular cosmopolitan dining precinct. Originally home to Newcastle’s first Italian and Greek immigrants, its restaurants, cafes and delicatessens reflect its Mediterranean heritage. Visit Beaumont Street for its eclectic mix of sidewalk cafes, thriving pub scene, boutique fashion stores, antiques, bookstores and unique home wares.

To learn more about the history of Hamilton, visit Newcastle Museum where they have an excellent display about Beaumont Street.

The coastal area of Hallidays Point is located Midway between Taree and Forster and includes Black Head, Diamond Beach, Red Head and Tallwoods Village.

Black Head Beach is a multi-award winning beach under the Keep Australia Beautiful Program. Patrolled during summer, it is regarded as one of the best swimming beaches in the Manning Valley. It features shady Norfolk Island Pines (planted in the 1920s and the 1940s), an ocean pool, excellent fishing opportunities, picnic areas and barbecues.

Meander along the rainforest walk which encompasses striking coastal landforms and rare tracts of littoral rainforest. The walk takes in both Black Head and Red Head.

With exclusive resorts fringing its beaches (at Diamond Beach), the area is fast becoming recognised as a lifestyle paradise. The luxury development at Tallwoods features a championship golf course surrounded by spectacular housing.

Green Point is a small and unique village on the edge of Wallis Lake mid way between Forster and Pacific Palms.
The landscape is dominated by the sand dunes of Seven Mile Beach, Booti Booti National Park and the Wallis Lake broadwater. Within the village you will find B and B’s, cafes and some beautiful homes to rent.

Along the shoreline there are walks and an access point for boaties. Nearby is the home of the Great Lakes Sailing Club and the famous Green Cathedral.

If you are looking for a secret spot to get back to nature and relax then Green Point is for you.

Get yourself to Grassy Head to discover one of the Macleay Valley Coast’s unspoiled gems. Grassy Head is a great holiday spot for families, thanks to its abundance of fish and birdlife, kilometres of white sandy beaches and dense, natural bushland. The headland itself offers a beautiful view of the Macleay Valley Coast.

The beach has gentle waves, is safe for swimming and is patrolled during the school holidays, excluding winter. The rainforests of the Way Way State Forest and Pines Picnic Area are just behind Grassy Head, and there is Four-Wheel Drive tracks within the Way Way State Forest and Yarriabini National Park for those seeking adventure.

Grafton, the city of trees. With its charms hidden from the highway, rewarding those who venture within. A place of beauty, heritage and soul.

The jacarandas might be the most famous but there are also cape chestnuts, golden trumpet trees, tree waratahs, tibouchinas, poincianas, silky oaks, giant figs and many more botanical highlights to marvel at.

A dawn or dusk stroll along the walkways below the Grafton Bridge gives expansive river views of the Clarence and Susan Island. See if you can spot the wreck of the Induna, 200 metres upstream of the bridge.

Take advantage of the river on their doorstep. Perfect for skiing, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, wake boarding, sailing, swimming and anything else you can imagine!

Pop on into town during late October and early November to catch the jacarandas in bloom! There are festivities, markets, a Jacaranda Queen crowning, parade and river festival. One for the bucket list.

Giddy-up and dress up this July for the always exciting July Races! The annual week of races is well worth splurging on that new dress for!

There’s a variety of accommodation, food and entertainment in Grafton.

It’s home. It’s the beating heart of the Clarence Valley.

Goonellabah is located on a ridge five kilometres east of the centre of Lismore. Goonellabah is an aboriginal word meaning native coral tree and the area has spectacular views from the northern side of the ridge out to the Nightcap Ranges. It is the fastest growing area of Lismore and has a thriving community and shopping centre precinct.

The quiet town of Goolmangar is a scenic 10 minute drive from Lismore and 15 minutes from Nimbin. As the town entrance sign suggests ‘Goolmangar – Where the Cows Come First’, the town and surrounding area are famous for its dairy industry.

The town has two traditional cow crossings that enable farmers to move their stock from the pasture to the milking sheds. Purchase local produce from the general store or visit the Goolmangar School of Arts Hall that has been operating for over 100 years and is the home to many social, educational and artistic groups.

Glenreagh has a dynamic connection to its timber heritage, with its beautiful original dwellings and its annual celebration of this most beautiful and sustainable material.

Set alongside the beautiful Orara River is the village of Glenreagh. Overlooked by magnificent sandstone ranges, much of which is State Forest, Glenreagh is historically a timber town. Even today many of the original timber dwellings still stand. Each year the town hosts the Glenreagh Timber Festival in celebration of its rich woody heritage.

Australia loves its “big” things, and in the Clarence Valley they have theirs right in the middle of Glenreagh. Come and have your photo taken with the Golden Dog, the beloved supersized smiling Dingo! Woof!