An introduction to Old Bar and Taree

I ended my previous post with a couple of photos of the flooding here in Taree - well it's amazing what can happen in 24 hours, especially when there's not too much rain during that time period.  Here is that same location today,

You can really see, from the difference in the grass, where the flood waters were up to yesterday.

The forecast is not clear of rain for the next few days though, and there is another cyclone forming off the Queensland coast (just north of where I am now), so people in this part of Australia are definitely still on the alert for more flooding.  Hopefully it won't affect my travel plans - as I'm heading north up to Queensland.

But a bit about where I am right now...
The Manning River is a river in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales that flows through the Manning Valley.  It is one of Australia's few large river systems not to be dammed for water supply purposes anywhere along its catchment.  The lower part of the river (where I am right now) is a delta system where it meets the sea, with several channels dividing coastal land into large islands.  The Manning River is fed by 7 other river systems and when the river reaches Taree it splits and the southern arm flows into the Pacific Ocean at Old Bar.  The northern arm is joined by 2 other rivers before it meets the ocean, so hence the river has two separate entrances (or mouths).  The Manning River is the only double delta river in the southern Hemisphere and the only permanent multiple entrance river in the world other than the Nile River Egypt. 

Right now I am staying with friends in Old Bar which is a coastal community about 16 kms east of Taree, and is at the mouth of the southern arm of the Manning River.  Old Bar is one of the popular beaches along the coastal strip in the Manning Valley area... although given the rains that this area has just recently had the beach really isn't in pristine condition.

That being said, there were some blue skies alternating with the rain showers today so I went for a walk along the beach here.  No the ocean is not a beautiful blue-turquoise colour right now, and there's a lot of debris on the beach, but I think there's a lot of beauty in that as well.

Given how agitated the ocean has been it's not surprising that there is also a lot of sea foam around right now - and I had fun walking around in it.

You have to be a bit careful though - in some places it was quite thick and can cover up rocks, sticks, tree trunks (in this photo), and various other 'hazards' when walking.

This afternoon I went into Taree and took the pictures at the start of this post - and I spent some very enjoyable time watching the pelicans.  This mosaic was made by the students at a school in the area and this pelican just positioned himself (or herself ?) perfectly for a photo.

After my friend finished work we went for a drive to Crowdy Head.  Crowdy Head is a quaint fishing village situated around the northern mouth of the Manning River and surrounded by 26 kms of scenic coastline.  Part of the beach is well protected and is a popular destination for families, whereas other parts (in better weather) are quite popular for kite and board sailing.

Also in Crowdy Head is the historic Crowdy Head Lighthouse. Designed and erected in 1878, it is one of only five small lighthouses built on the NSW coast. 

If you remember when I was in Narooma I posted a photo taken from the school yard of Narooma Primary School.  In that same vein, I wouldn't mind doing yard duty here at Crowdy Head Primary School either!

On the way to and from Crowdy Head we passed through another little community called Harrington.  

Harrington Beach stretches from Harrington village to the picturesque fishing village of Crowdy Head and is part of the Harrington Beach State Park.  This quiet beach location between the two villages is ideal for relaxing strolls and fishing opportunities.  At one point there are a series of poles that have been decorated to commemorate some of the early settlers to the area.  One group of poles is acknowledging the contributions of women and families,

another the fishermen.

This was just one of "those moments" that I happened to pass - an area maintained by the local electrical company, posting "danger - high voltage" signs, completely flooded due to the recent rains. I hope no one needs to do any maintenance in that area for the next few days!