Taree on mid north coast of NSW, may be just what the doctor ordered

If you feel like it's time for a break, but want to avoid the big tourist centers, a Taree accommodation 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.



It's no surprise that the Big Oyster is Taree's most famous landmark. After all, two and a half million oysters come out of the Manning River every year, making it a "big oyster" town indeed. 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. In 1913, the Northern railway line was laid through the town of Taree instead of Wingham. This led to its becoming the Manning Valley regional center. 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. You can't see the waves until you park your car at the point, so the approach to Saltwater Point is always filled with restless anticipation. 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 just one of many like it in the region. They are not large and have only basic amenities, but they are located in stunning settings. Some of them are coastal, while others are dotted throughout the National Forests and Reserves in the area.



You will also enjoy visiting the charming country villages you will stumble across when you are exploring the Taree region. They have a genuine quality about them that is sometimes missing in other historical towns in Australia.



Because it is such an important regional center, you can reach Taree by any mode of transportation. However, if you have your own vehicle, you can easily see everything Taree and the Manning Valley have to offer. Don't just stop off in Taree and take a snapshot of the Big Oyster. Stay a few days and find out why the locals wouldn't want to live anywhere else.



Take a few days off, find Taree accommodation, things to do and other travel related information about the area on bookitnow.com.au. Or visit our Australia blog for more Australian holiday ideas.