 |
The Hannam Vale Food, Farm and Forest Trail Tour
Touring Mid North Coast NSW Australia
Tourist Information | Driving Tours | National Parks | Hannam Vale Tourism Map
Wander amongst forest giants, splash around in a crisp, clean waterfall, sample gourmet & herbal delights or feed a curious alpaca or a calf at one of the dairy farms. It's all possible just 30 minutes north of Taree or south of Port Macquarie near the delightful historic village of Hannam Vale.
The wider Hannam Vale area and surrounding state forests and national parks have some of the Manning Valley's most stunning and uncrowded tourist features.
Scenic Drive Tour - Blueberries, Alpacas, Music and Waterfalls
For a great day out, in the hinterland region of the Mid North Coast of NSW, head North (approx 4 hrs from Sydney & 25mins from Taree) or South (approx 25mins from Port Macquarie) on the Pacific Highway toward the village of Moorland. On route you will get a hint of some of the spectacular mountain scenery of Coorabakh National Park with its dramatic cliff-line and curious volcanic plugs.
Turn left at Moorland and follow the signs towards Hannam Vale, roller coasting over rich dairy and beef cattle country until you reach the locality of Stewarts River, veering to your left at the Y-intersection. From here you can go straight ahead a few more kilometres to the Hannam Vale Country Store and Café and meet owners Ashley and Susan Mison and some of the locals while relaxing on the verandah with a real coffee, cake or luncheon.
The Hannam Vale Primary School across the road has 52 students, and a prouder bunch you wouldn't find anywhere. The sign above the school gate provides a great photo opportunity and says a lot about the community spirit of the village: "Through this gate walk the nicest people in the world".
If you have plenty of time turn left at the school and wander around the lanes and view the scenery of the valley along Deep Creek Road.
Returning to the store turn left onto Hannam Vale Road and proceed past the Community Hall past Cowan's dairy where Hannam Vale Road branches right leading to Lorne and Comboyne along fairly well repaired dirt roads. Go straight ahead however, to the old milling village of Waitui. Originally called Old Mill Village it has been know as Waitui ever since the closure of the mill, though there is now some thought of asking the Greater Taree City Council to allow it to revert to its original name.
About a kilometre north of Waitui you can turn right onto Cherry Tree Lane. At the beginning of the lane you may be lucky enough to find that Christine and Phillip Davies-Vorbach have their garden open at Wombat Hollow or that Phillip is warming up for one of his regular organ recitals. Proceed to the end of the lane and drop in on Benbellen Alpaca Farm where Peter and Sherry Wildblood-Stumm operate a small working alpaca stud and a Wagyu beef breeding stud; make sure you call in advance if you would like to be present when the alpacas are fed, usually about 3.30 in the afternoon.
Returning from Cherry Tree Lane you will find a further two kilometres along Waitui Road you will find the Brackenridge Blueberry Farm run by Jenny Kompara. Pick your own and pay by the kilogram (in season December and January only).
Moving on past the Blueberry farm - a further 6 kilometres - you will see the signposts to Waitui Falls. Not a huge falls though in a delighted forested setting with a wonderful picnic area among the boulders and trees of the forest on the border of the Coorabakh National Park. Indeed, on a hot day there is nothing better than to plunge into the large pond at the base of the falls which is safe for children to swim under supervision and it has a lovely creek flowing out to explore. There's even a picnic table set in the shade for family gatherings.
Proceed on past the falls on the loop road into Coopernook, a comfortable 2-3 hour drive though best for solid heavy cars in dry weather and 4WD vehicles in rainy times. Travel on past Big Nellie where, if you are adventuresome enough (and its not misty overcast raining or windy) there is a chance to walk and climb to the peak. This 542 metre volcanic plug has amazing views all the way to the ocean, north to the Camden Haven, Wauchope and south to Taree and Harrington. Bird watchers, photographers and abseil enthusiasts will be in their element. If you are not so adventuresome stop off at the lookout and make use of the newly built picnic area there.
Further on into Coorabakh National Park is Flat Rock Lookout, a flat section of the Lansdowne escarpment perched over a 500m drop. The lookout is fully fenced and has spectacular views over the Manning Valley, particularly to the unusual volcanic mountain formations of Goonook, Coxcombe and Killabakh. You'll also get a birds-eye view of the Comboyne Plateau to the west. Picnic facilities and information boards are provided.
If you'd like to get up close and personal with the rainforest, Starrs Creek Rainforest Boardwalk will allow you to meander amongst the unique vegetation without getting your shoes wet. Further on, there is a marked walking trail to Newbys Cave, a big overhanging cave where you can take in the seclusion of the lovely creek.
Keeping to the Forest Drive you pass from the National Park into the Coopernook State Forest and proceed on Forest Drive until you reach the village of Coopernook now on the Pacific Highway though in the next twelve months or so Coopernook is likely to be more or less isolates when the Highway bypass leave the village with access road from the north only. Alternatively you turn left off Forest Drive onto Forest Road on the Pacific Highway just south of the Moorland turnoff to Hannam Vale.
Scenic Drive Tour - Massive Gum Trees, Lorne Valley and local mountains
If you're a bushwalking buff, love off-road driving and visiting unique food places, then this next drive itinerary loop, north and east of Hannam Vale will leave you revitalized and inspired.
Back on Hannam Vale at the hamlet of Stewarts River (just a tad west of the junction of Hannam Vale Road and Stewarts River Road leading to Johns River on the Highway), look out for a signpost marked Jerusalem Road heading north. This road curiously splits into two at the top of the first major hill. To the left is Stewarts River Road, going towards Lorne and the Lorne Valley Macadamia Farm and beyond that to the fabulous scenery of the Comboyne Plateau. The café at the Macadamia Farm is modern Australian in style and has a wonderful view looking out across the countryside to compliment great home-made food. Bus groups are welcome, booked in advance, or come yourself between 10am and 4pm Wednesday to Sunday.
You can drive on to Comboyne and then do a round trip to Ellenborough Falls or to Wauchope or back south to Wingham or double back to the Pacific Highway at Kew through Lorne and Kendall or back over the hillside into Hannam Vale via Stewarts River Road and Hannam Vale Road emerging at Cowan's dairy before turning left to regain the Hannam Vale General Store. Alternatively you can go back along Stewarts River Road and turn left at Western Boundary Road.
Coming from Stewarts River you would turn right, in the State Forest, onto Western Boundary Road which eventually becomes Bartar Creek Road. This road will take you to Big Fella Gum, The Bird Tree and Benaroon, some of the biggest eucalypts in NSW. These monster trees have grown out of rich volcanic soil and are surrounded by beautiful natural palm forests. The eight-minute easy walk from the main road to Big Fella Gum is highly recommended.
If you are travelling in the area on the first Saturday in the month do not miss the growers and craft market on the Pacific Highway at John's River; a small craft market is open each day at the Johns River Community Hall.
Travelling back onto the Pacific Highway from Kendall to Kew go straight ahead onto Ocean View Road toward Laurieton for about 6 kilometres and turn right at where the side road is signposted National Park and proceed through the rainforest drive to the top of North Brother (the northernmost of the famous three brother mountains) where National Parks have erected two fabulous lookouts, one showing clear views for twenty or more kilometres south toward Harrington and Old Bar and the other north toward Port Macquarie and Kempsey. If travelling on the Pacific Highway from Johns River turn right onto Ocean View Road at Kew.
Hannam Vale & Region Maps NSW Mid North Coast Hinterland
Although signage is reasonable, a Cartoscope or Forestry map is recommended for both itineraries,. A Cartoscope map is usually available free at the local Visitors Information Centres at Taree and Kew. For brochures and maps of the area's national parks contact; National Parks and Wildlife Service, 152 Horton Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444. Phone: (02) 6586 8300, Fax: (02) 6584 9402,
Allow four to five hours driving from either Port Macquarie or Taree for either scenic tour, so as not to be rushed. Better still, stay a while longer and take in both tours while staying at some of the area's quality accommodation, including self catering cottages through to full service bed and breakfast, to unlock the essence of Hannam Vale. See accommodation section for information on where to stay in Hannam Vale.
Hannam Vale is surely one of the best kept secrets in the Manning Valley and, indeed the entire Mid North Coast of New South Wales, so sneak out there and enjoy the peace and quiet - and don't tell anyone!
|
 |
|
|
