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Markets Guide

April-May

Tuncurry Markets, John Wright Park, Saturday, April 27 from 8am. Nabiac Farmers Markets, Nabiac Showground, Saturday, April 27 from 8am. Old Bar Markets, Old Bar Reserve, Sunday, April 28 from 8am. Pacific Palms markets, community centre, Sunday, April 28 from 8am. Black Head Bazaar, Wylie Breckenridge park, Saturday, May 5 from 8am; Hallidays Point Car Boot Sale, Hallidays Point Shopping Village, Sunday, May 5 from 8am; Johns River Country Market, community hall, Saturday, May 11 from 8am; Gloucester Farmers Markets, Billabong Park, Saturday, May 11, 9am. The Hub Markets, Wingham Showground on Saturday, May 18 from 8am.

Rotary Book Fair, Taree and Wingham

Third Saturday of the month

The Rotary Book Sheds at Taree and Wingham are both open from 8am to 12/12.30pm. The Wingham Rotary Book Shed is located in the old wool shed at Wingham Showground and is open while the Hub Markets are on. The Taree Book Shed is located at Taree Showground. If you wish to donate books to Rotary, you can drop them at Taree Book Shed on Tuesdays from 12-2, or at Wingham on Saturdays when they are open.

Mountain Maid Heritage Gold Mine Tour

Every Wednesday and Saturday

Copeland Tops State Conservation Area is a precinct of natural beauty and colonial heritage near Gloucester. You can uncover its treasures on a guided tour. You'll be guided through Mountain Maid gold mining precinct hidden in the rainforest near the village of Copeland. Time 10am-12pm. Bookings essential, online only at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/mountain-maid-gold-mine-tour.

Copeland Tops Twilight Tour

First Friday of the month

Explore the Hidden Treasure track and the historic buildings of Mountain Maid gold mine on this evening tour near Gloucester. Uncover the mysterious wildlife that call this special place their home, including microbats, brush-tail possums and wompoo pigeons. Fun for all ages, you'll be amazed at what you discover on this twilight adventure. Mountain Maid gold mine and Hidden Treasure track are only accessible through a guided tour. All tours depart from the carpark at Copeland Tops State Conservation Area.

Cattai Wetlands

Open daily

Located just off the Pacific Highway, 20 minutes north of Taree, Cattai Wetlands has been described as a 'hidden gem in our Valley'. Cattai is a beautiful coastal wetland that provides a sanctuary for over 180 different species of birds, kangaroos, wallabies and goannas. The wetlands are recognised as an international bird watching spot.

Probus Club of Taree North

Meets monthly

Probus Club of Taree North meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10am, at Taree League and Sports Club, where visitors are most welcome to come along and enjoy friendship, fellowship and fun plus a complementary cup of tea. For further information contact Allan Richards, phone 0401 013 867.

Manning River Orchid Society

Meets monthly

Manning River Orchid Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 2pm at Uniting Church, Albert Street, Taree. All welcome. Email manningriverorchidsociety@gmail.com.au

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Wingham Brush Twilight Tour

October 10

Meander along the boardwalk at Wingham B rush while the sun sets over a canopty of flying foxes from 6pm-8pm. The Brush is home to the vulnerable grey-headed flying fox. Learn about this mysterious mammal as you explore the tree canopy by torchlight. You'll discover what they eat, where they sleep and how they live. This is a family-frendly adventure for all ages. This is a guided tour. Please wear fully enclosed footwear and bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks and a small torch. The walk is g2km on a flat boardwalk and is suitable for adults and children aged 5 years and over.

Taree and District Eisteddfod

April 23 to June 15

The 57th Taree and District Eisteddfod begins on April 23 with the vocal section, and the public is invited to attend any sessions. Session Tickets can be purchased on the day at the Manning Entertainment Centre. Group dance weekend tickets and Grand Concert tickets are sold online with dates yet to be announced. Volunteers to help out at any of the sections are always welcome. Contact the secretary by email at tdessecretary@outlook.com for further information. Follow the Eisteddfod on their Facebook page or website for all up to date information.

Burrell Creek Hall open mic afternoon

April 27

Please note the change of date. The open mic event at Burrell Creek Hall will be held on Saturday, April 27. Come along and support this fantastic community event, held from 1.30pm to 5pm. Contact Jenny on 0411 539 309 for more information. Iif you have an instrument to play or want to sing, we can't wait to hear you. All are welcome to come along and support these musicians for a fabulous musical afternoon. Gold coin donation and BYO food and drinks. The event raises money for hall maintenance.

Manning Net

May 2

This month Manning Net meets at Club Taree from 6.30pm. The April meeting has been moved from the usual Thursday because of coinciding with Anzac Day. Guest speaker is Greg Blaze, who will be talking about his lived experience in Israel/West Bank. Greg was based there as a United Nations Relief and Works Agency humanitarian engineer in 2018. Cost is $35 and includes a two-course meal, cash only. RSVP by 10am Monday, April 29 to Donna Ballard 0417 570 359, Ruth Brown 6553 9877 or Susan Ryan 6553 5150.

Rattletrap 2024

May 4

Crowdy Head Beach 9am-4pm. The Drag-ens Hot Rod Club is hosting their annual event for classic hot rods, vintage race cars and vintage trail bikes. The event will include bracket sprints, grudge matches and an exhibition class for unique or historic vehicles. For updates follow the Drag-ens Facebook page.

Mother's Day Classic

May 12

Queen Elizabeth Park from 10.30am to 12pm. The Manning River foreshore will be a sea of pink as you walk or run for breast and ovarian cancer awareness and support. Start at 10.30am for the 5km run, and 10.45am for the 5km walk. Go to www.mothersdayclassic.com.au to register.

Movie Afternoons at Cundletown Museum

May 12

Cundletown Museum is bringing the past to life, for older residents and newcomers in recent years, with their newest "Movie Afternoons" venture. Titled "Vintage View - Films From Our Past", the movies shown will be some early films of bygone days in the Manning from the museum's collection. The first of these movie afternoons is planned for Sunday, May 12 at 2pm. Admission is a gold coin donation.

Lansdowne Community Hall Art Exhibition

May 18-19

The Lansdowne Community Hall Annual Art Exhibition will be held in the Lansdowne Hall from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, May 18 and from 10am to 3pm on Sunday, May 19. Judging is by people's choice, voting Saturday only. This is the hall's fifth exhibition and each year it grows in popularity. All money raised is used to cover costs of the event, fund next year's prize money and a donation to the Lansdowne Community Hall.

Thunderbolts Adventure

May 18-19

Thunderbolts Adventure is back for 2024, drawing off-road cyclists from far and wide for the two day pedal-athon. Saturday ride from Gloucester to Moonan Flat via Barrington Tops State Forest. Stay overnight at Moonan Flat and leave Sunday to ride back to Gloucester via Tomalla and Curricabark. This year there is a one day option. More information at graveleur.cc/thunderbolts-adventure-faq.

Bridge to Bridge Bush Regeneration

May 25

Check out one of a neighbourhood of river regeneration sites funded by MidCoast Council's River Revival program. Hear from catchment officer Sal Stutsel on river regeneration project funding support opportunities in the upper Manning, senior ecologist Mat Bell on platypus and Manning River Turtle conservation. Check out council's weed display trailer and get an update on weed threats, and hear from Local Land Service on how they can support your feral animal control efforts. RSVP to email joel.kgl.landcare.gmail.com; midcoast2tops.org.au/karuah-great-lakes/

RSVP by return email for directions.

Triathlon NSW Club Championships

May 25

At Forster Main Beach from 9am to 1pm. The NSW Triathlon Club Championship has long been the "end of season" trip where members get to race with their fellow club members as opposed to against them.

Millions Paws Walk

May 26

Taree RSPCA branch is hosting a Million Paws Walk at Taree Showground, beginning with registration from 9-9.30am, and the walk starting at 10am. A fun day out for dogs and humans with judging competitions, stalls, and a barbecue. Registration is $5 per dog.

Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival

June 1

Central Park, Wingham,. Starting with the parade at 9am featuring massed pipe bands followed by Scottish Highland Games, including caber tossing, tug a war, kilted dashes and hurling the haggis. Scottish dancing will be a higlight. Clan and market stalls, food and more. For program information visit www.bonniewingham.com.

The Comedian and the Cowboy

June 8

Darren Sanders and Daniel Thompson are The Comedian and the Cowboy and they will present a two-part show bound to have you clapping at laughing along at Manning Entertainment Centre. Darren Sanders has performed comedy for over 30 years in pubs, clubs, cruise ships and corporate events worldwide. He even opened for The Temptations on their Australian tour. He has performed stand-up comedy live on TV shows In Melbourne Tonight, Rove Live, The Russell Gilbert Show and Stand Up Australia. Daniel Thompson is a multi-award-winning vocalist and tribute artist from Sydney. For the last 15 years, he has toured Australia with his own tribute to the Man In Black, Johnny Cash The Concert and has become recognised as one of the country's premier tribute artists. In January 2020, he was invited to perform with one of the world's most respected tribute shows, Legends In Concert. Legends is Las Vegas longest longest-running tribute show and features the world's best, internationally recognised tribute artists.

Daniel has performed as a headline act on the Country Music-themed cruise Cruisin' Country out of Australia since 2016 on Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. In November 2022, he joined the Ovation of the Seas for the SuperCruise, headlining alongside legendary international icon Suzi Quatro.

Lakes Trail Festival

July 5-6

Australia's freshest off road trail running event, traversing the Great Lakes, the Lakes Trail Festival, is back. The first weekend in July will see trail runners descend on the twin coastal towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest to explore the regions tracks, trails and beaches. Runners can complete 100 kilometre, 70 kilometre, 50 kilometre, 30 kilometre or 12 kilometre. There also will be a one kilometre trail experience for the kids.

30^th Envirofair and Multicultural Festival

June 15

A fabulous day of family fun entertainment with face painting, dance workshops and activity installations for the kids and more. This year the focus of the festival will be to encourage better environmental practices and a more tolerant and accepting community strengthened by our cultural diversity. The day will start at 9am and finish at 3pm with a gold coin donation requested upon entry.

Junior Ranger: Booti Booti Coastal Adventure Tour

July 12, October 8

From 10am to 12pm at 4374 The Lakes Way, Booti Booti. Walk to the beach and learn about Booti Booti National Park and all its beauty. You'll gain an understanding of the important role of workers in a national park, and how you can help to conserve and protect these special places. Discover what role our future environmental leaders or junior rangers can play in preserving these important places into the future. Easy walk suitable for children 5 years and over. Price $15 per child 5-16 years. Accompanying adults free. Park use fees $8 per vehicle, day passes available from Manning Great Lakes Area Office, Bulahdelah Visitor Information Centre and Hawks Nest Newsagency.

Black Bikers Tie Ball

July 6

Sisters on Steel SMC (social motorcycle club), Hunter Region NSW chapter, is hosting the Black Tie Bikers Ball at Club Forster on July 6 to raise money for the Great Lakes Women's Shelter. The only female bikers club in Australia, SoS has quietly raised thousands of dollars for local charities over the past decade or so. The three-course, sit down meal will be accompanied by live music, lucky door prizes and thousands of dollars worth of raffles including a giant TV donated by Harvey Norman, along with prizes for the bell of the ball and best dressed group. For more information call 0421 159 753 or 048 406 473.

Run Fest Forster Tuncurry

August 18

Starts at Main Beach Forster at 6am. Whether you are an elite athlete, jogger or walker there is an event for everyone. Choose from kids 4km fun run, 5km run, 10km run and a half marathon. Alternatively you can choose to take on the ultimate challenge: the Treble Bridge Buster or Treble Team Relay. forsterrunningfestival.com.au/event.

Craven Creek Music Festival

September 14-15

As well as great musical performances, this year we will be celebrating local poet, Les Murray, the "Bard from Bunyah", with a world premier performance of a new composition by composer Ross Edwards to accompany a reading by Guy Noble of a Murray Poem. Australia's music innovation perofrmers, lEnsemble Offspring led by Claire Edwards, willbe performing at afternoon concerts and a young, vibrant string quartet will perform Sunday Morning. For more information go to www.cravencreekmusic.com.

Wingham Brush Twilight Tour

October 10

Meander along the boardwalk at Wingham B rush while the sun sets over a canopty of flying foxes from 6pm-8pm. The Brush is home to the vulnerable grey-headed flying fox. Learn about this mysterious mammal as you explore the tree canopy by torchlight. You'll discover what they eat, where they sleep and how they live. This is a family-frendly adventure for all ages. This is a guided tour. Please wear fully enclosed footwear and bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks and a small torch. The walk is g2km on a flat boardwalk and is suitable for adults and children aged 5 years and over.