If you feel like it’s time for a break, but want to avoid the big tourist centres, a Taree might be just what you’re looking for. Located between its more developed Mid-North Coast neighbours of Forster and Port Macquarie, Taree has all of the attractions of these popular tourist destinations, minus the crowds.
The biggest landmark in Taree is the "Big Oyster." It is an appropriate one, too, because the Manning River, which skirts the town, produces over 2 1/2 million oysters per year. In Taree, oysters are a big part of the local economy, as are the many crops that grow in the fertile Manning Valley.
Taree was originally developed as a private town in 1854, when Henry Flett set aside 100 acres for its development. The town grew into the administrative centre of the Manning Valley region after the railway line was connected to Taree instead of Wingham in 1913. It remained a fairly small town, unfrequently visited by tourists until the Martin Bridge was built in the 1930s. After that, the town really began to flourish.
The city of Taree is about 10 miles (17kms) inland from the mouth of the Manning River and the Tasman Sea. When summer comes and the Taree locals want to go to the beach, they head for the charming coastal community of Old Bar. Old Bar is many a surfer’s "secret spot." When no place else is breaking, a surfer can always find a great sandbank wave somewhere along the beach in front of the village.
Another renowned surfing spot in the Taree region is Saltwater Point. It’s only a few miles up the beach from Old Bar, but the drive is a little more circuitous. It’s always an exciting experience to drive to the parking lot at Saltwater and get your first glimpse of the waves from the cliff top. Many visiting surfers stay in the simple but beautiful campground just behind the parking area and during the summer months, this campground is very popular with those who are lucky enough to know about it.
The campground at Saltwater Point is not unusual in the Taree region. There are many such little places tucked away in the area, both near the beach and in and around the many reserves and National Forests that make up so much of the landscape there.
Not to be left out are the quaint villages that dot the Taree region. Towns like Manning Point and Cundletown are not big tourist centres, but are fascinating places to visit that give you a unique look at the Australian lifestyle and landscape.
You can get to Taree by rail, road or air, but the best way to get there is by car. Taree attractions are spread out over a wide area, so having your own transportation is the best way to see it all. Don’t make the mistake of just stopping off in Taree for lunch on your way to someplace else. Stay awhile. You’ll find that in Taree, home of the Big Oyster, the world is your oyster.
Planning your next vacation, take a look at our extensive list of North Coast accommodation options in towns like Taree on the NSW North Coast.
