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Page 6 of 14
Forster Tuncurry - The Twin Towns
We decide to spend a couple of nights in a caravan park in Forster to
refresh and power up. We're glad we did as we found Forster to be a very
pleasant place. The picturesque twin towns of Forster and Tuncurry are
home to more than 200 licensed fishing vessels, making the region NSW's
second biggest fishing district. This colourful fleet berths in calm water
at Tuncurry, on the other side of Cape Hawke Harbour, and regularly brings
home a plentiful harvest of rock lobsters, prawns and fish so it's not
surprising that Tuncurry in the Worimi language means ‘plenty of fish'.
In the shallow waters of Wallis Lake, beneath the bridge that links
Forster and Tuncurry, dolphins play on their way to and from the sea.
Wallis Lake is also home to a thriving oyster industry, with leases
stretching far into the lake. Another common sight are the Pelicans who
are obviously attracted to the plentiful fish found here.
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Heading out of Forster-Tuncurry, we drive through the Manning
Valley. The Manning Valley is a river and rainforest retreat on
the NSW Mid North Coast, with uncrowded beaches, ancient forests,
spectacular views and the majestic river (the Manning River) which carves
its way through it.
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For breakfast and to fill up the petrol tank, we stop at Taree which is set inland from the coast on the wide
Manning River. During the Land Rushes of the 1830's, squatters moved into the area and the timber-cutters arrived. It was the abundance of cedar that attracted large numbers of men who formed logging camps along the Manning and Dawson Rivers.
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Just a ten minute drive north of Taree we take a peek at Croki, on Jones Island. Croki is a sleepy riverside village, surrounded by lush dairy farms and spectacular scenery. There is a jetty to fish from (so picturesque) and a shaded picnic area. There is also a fenced off area in the Manning River for those who want to go for a swim.
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Coopernook State Forest
We continue driving until we reach Coopernook State Forest (still part of the manning valley) where we stop for the night at a picnic and camping area which adjoins the heritage listed Coopernook Forest headquarters. Barbeques, tables, toilets, drinking water and information are all available on site. Adjacent to the camping area is an area of maturing Blackbutt forest. The trees are about 100 years old and provide an example of the oldest regrowth forest within the area.
This is a good overnight camping spot, just 10 minutes from the Pacific Highway and an excellent base from which to explore Coorabakh's stunning mountain tops, lookouts, caves and waterfalls.
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nocturnal bird that is usually sedentary
during the daytime. If approached it will sit upright with its feathers
pressed
firm against its body.