Manning Point: Beach and River

Manning Point combines a striking river mouth, varied stretches of beach and experiences on the water. Manning Point Beach begins on the southern side of the Manning River’s sandy, 500-metre-wide mouth. If you’d like to choose between the beach and the river, or enjoy both, you’ll find a place here whose coastal character can’t be reduced to a single type of beach in a brief description.

From the low sandy beach to Farquhar Inlet

Manning Point Beach initially runs 2.5 kilometres southwest as a low, sandy spit. It then continues as a steep, narrow beach with coarse sand as far as Farquhar Inlet, the southern river mouth. In total, the beach stretches 10 kilometres to the inlet. The sections vary in shape and character: the low spit gives way to a steeper, narrower stretch of coast with coarse sand. For planning your day, this specific sequence is more useful than imagining one continuous stretch of beach with a uniform character.

The beach also has a special role for four-wheel-drive vehicles: it is the only access route for such vehicles to the campground in Farquhar Park. This refers specifically to access to the campground by four-wheel-drive vehicles. If you’re interested in this, you can also consider the beach as a coastal landscape and as part of the local layout.

Swimming, fishing and time on the water

In Manning Point, you can swim both in the river basin and at the beach. This gives you two different areas of water to choose from, without having to limit yourself to just one kind of swimming experience. There’s also a specific option for fishing: you can launch a boat in Manning Point and head out to fish. Whether you’d rather stay on shore, swim or head out by boat can therefore shape the focus of your stay.

The river side of Manning Point Reserve is a stopping point for boaters, oyster lovers and anglers. This connection to the river adds another perspective on the water to the town’s beach side. If you’re interested in boating, oysters or fishing, you can take these interests into account when deciding whether to visit Manning Point; the beach and river basin also offer their own ways to enjoy time by the water.

Picnic area and playground at Manning Point Reserve

On the beach-facing side of Manning Point Reserve, there’s a shaded picnic area and a playground. For a trip with children, the playground is a useful feature, while the picnic area provides a place to take a break together. The area’s orientation towards the beach and the river side’s role as a stopping point for boaters, oyster lovers and anglers give the reserve two different connections to the water. When planning your trip, you can consider whether spending time at the beach or by the river is more important to you.

Getting there and choosing accommodation

Manning Point is accessible via Manning Point Road. From the Taree exit, it’s a 26-kilometre drive that takes about 20 minutes.

A distinctive local feature

The Waterbird restaurant is housed in a converted boat shed in Manning Point. The use of a former boat shed as a restaurant brings together a place to eat and a building whose original purpose fits the area’s maritime character. This adds another distinct aspect of the town to its beach and river experiences.

More places to discover: Wingham, Harrington, Rainbow Flat, Koorainghat, Hallidays Point, Taree and Tallwoods Village.

For the broader travel overview: Greater Taree City Council.