Cangai: Mann River and mining history

On the Mann River near Cangai, the river landscape and the history of copper mining shape the character of the area. The river offers beautiful views; at the same time, the town’s history recalls a time when mining played a part in life in Cangai. If you would like to combine nature experiences with historical discoveries, you’ll find two very different points of interest to help plan your trip here.

Things to do on the Mann River

Near Cangai, the Mann River offers opportunities for camping on its banks and fishing. From Cangai Bridge, you can access the river’s clear, cool water for swimming. These activities offer different ways to spend time by the water: you can enjoy the river as part of the landscape, go fishing or get in the water. When planning your trip together, it helps to think ahead about which of these activities appeals to you most.

One specific route runs from Cangai Bridge to Cangai Broadwater Bridge. It is about 5.5 kilometres long and mostly flat, and is known as Cangai Broadwater. Its length and route are the distinctive features of this stretch. You can include it as a separate item in your travel plans, apart from the opportunities for swimming, fishing and camping.

The Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail also includes Cangai: Section 5 runs from Jackadgery to Cangai Broadwater. This gives you a named trail section with two explicitly stated endpoints, in addition to the activities on the riverbank. If you are interested in canoeing and kayaking routes, you can include this connection in your plans for exploring Cangai. The route between the two bridges and Section 5 of the trail are separate descriptions and should not be confused with each other.

Traces of copper mining

Cangai’s history is closely connected with the large-scale mining operations of the Grafton Copper Mining Company. During this period, a village developed northwest of the smelting works, beginning as a mining camp. This history also makes the area interesting for travellers who want to learn not only about the river landscape, but also about the development of a mining settlement. Mining is not just general background: it explains how the village began and adds another dimension to a visit to Cangai.

Only one building remains from the former settlement: the police station building. It is a tangible reminder of the former settlement, whose history began with the mining camp. Cangai Copper Mine produced 4,950 tonnes of copper, 52.7 kg of gold and 1,035 kg of silver. The amount of copper is given in tonnes; the amounts of gold and silver are given in kilograms.

Choose Cangai as your destination

More destinations to explore: Wooli, Yamba, Iluka, Grafton, Mountain View, Marengo.

For the broader travel overview: Clarence Valley Council.