Get set for a sensational Summer
‘Tis the season best known for holidays, the heat, and having a whole lot of funand there’s no better place to enjoy it than right here on the MidCoast.
Whether it’s an exhilarating river swim in a remote part of Barrington Tops, strolling through a local produce market, or sipping a coffee overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to lazing away the long hot summer.
It’s no wonder then, that visitors flock here during the peak holiday season to experience some of what we’re lucky enough to enjoy all year round.
If you’re playing tour guide to friends or family, or just looking to avoid the coastal crowds, pop into a Visitor Information point for tips on exploring the very best our hinterland has to offer. You might even be surprised to uncover a “hidden gem” you didn’t know about. See opposite for details.
And if you’re heading out on the water, make sure you plan ahead by checking weather and tidal conditions, and ensuring your boat and other equipment is in good order. See page 5 for more.
However your summer unfolds, make it a safe one, and a sizzling start to the new year.
Lifting the right lid on Christmas
If your post-Christmas garbage bins are usually full to the brim, you’re not alone.
It’s estimated that households generate about 30% more waste at Christmas than at any other time of the year.
While we do our best to re-use last year’s gift bags and decorations, it can be hard to avoid waste altogether.
It’s not all bad news though, as long as you sort recyclables from general waste, and put the right things in the right bin.
TIP: Batteries don’t belong in any bin. Download the RecycleMate app to find a drop-off point near you.
midcoast.nsw.gov.au/recycling
Yellow bin
⚫ Paper gift wrap
⚫ Christmas cards
⚫ Cardboard packaging
⚫ Hard plastic packaging
⚫ Glass bottles and jars
Red bin
⚫ Metallic or foil gift wrap
⚫ Styrofoam packaging
⚫ Soft plastics and plastic bags
⚫ Paper towel and serviettes
⚫ Broken crockery and glass
DO YOURSELF A DAYTRIP
For holidaymakers and locals
Visitor Centres have long been the best place for personalised service for holidaymakers, offering inspiration and helpful tips for travellers.
But with a region that covers over 10,000km2 - that’s almost three times the size of metropolitan Sydney - locals may be surprised to discover amazing picnic spots, swimming holes, walking trails and lookouts that they’ve never even heard of, driveable in a single daytrip.
While our best-known Visitor Information Centres are located at Forster, Gloucester, and Bulahdelah, we’ve made accessing information easier than ever, with our designated Visitor Information Points and gazebo pop-ups.
Drop in at Manning Regional Art Gallery and Yalawanyi Ganya in Taree, Wingham Museum, and Myall Community Art & Craft Centre at Tea Gardens to chat with friendly, knowledgeable locals. They’ll share all their secret spots and will have you exploring your own backyard in no time. As well as recommending daytrips tailored especially for you, they offer advice on where to eat, things to see, and what to do along the way.
And keep an eye out for our Barrington Coast gazebo popping up at local events and busy locations across the region. Stop by and chat with our friendly Destination Experience staff for advice on nearby “hidden gems” and inspiring daytrip ideas to last you all summer long. For now, scan the QR code and start planning your next daytrip.
Over 300 reasons to shop
local
If you’ve got a ShopMidCoast gift card tucked away in your wallet, summer is a great time to splash out in some of the 300+ participating local businesses.
For Christmas:
• Decorations and gifts
• Silly season lunch or dinner out
• Gourmet treats for your festive feast
Sending the kids back to school?:
• Stationery and electronics
• School uniforms and shoes
• Sports equipment
• Haircuts
Don’t forget your Valentine, 14 February:
• Fresh flowers
• Cards and wrapping
• Jewellery and other special gifts
• A special dinner, in or out
Redeeming your card keeps your spend local, meaning you’re helping local business owners provide local jobs, and supporting our economy.
And this time we’ll hopefully provide some inspiration for making the most of the MidCoast summer.
1. Go bush and explore our national parks and reserves. Our region has:
2. Get active, and walk or cycle our network of footpaths and cycleways. It totals:
3. Slip, slop and slap as you head to a patrolled beach. In our region there are:
Visit whyleavetown.com/midcoast for more inspiration, and a full list of participating stores. your mates and throw down the challenge to see how well you know the local region.
4. Pack a picnic and visit a breathtaking lookout you can drive up to. Choose from:
5. Play the day away at one of our playgrounds. We
Answers can be found online at midcoast.nsw.gov.au/SeasonalEdition
Exploring the MidCoast on the water
Our region is renowned for its pristine waterways, and there’s no better way to experience all that our lakes and rivers have to offer than by boat.
Whether you’re heading out for a quiet spot of fishing with a friend, or planning a group outing full of action and adventure, preparing ahead of time and following essential safety practices will ensure an enjoyable and incident-free day out.
Fit passengers with lifejackets: Ensure everyone on board wears a properly fitted lifejacket. They are crucial for safety, especially for children and non-swimmers.
Check weather and tides: Always check the weather forecast and avoid heading out when strong winds, thunderstorms, or other severe conditions are expected. Plan your trip to avoid hazards exposed at low tide, and stay alert to tidal currents.
Carry safety equipment: Make sure your boat is equipped with all necessary safety gear, including flares, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a marine radio or mobile phone in a waterproof cover.
Know the rules: Familiarise yourself with the boating rules and regulations for NSW waterways. This includes understanding navigation marks, right-of-way rules, and speed limits.
Make your plans known: Let someone know your boating plans, including departure time, route, and expected return time. This can be crucial in case of an emergency.
Visit Transport for NSW, nsw.gov.au and search “safety and rules waterways” to learn more about keeping your crew safe on our waterways.
Expired
marine flares
Free disposal - Sunday 12 January
Taree Endeavour Place, 7:30 - 9:30am
Crowdy Head Boat Ramp, 11am - 1pm
Forster Boat Ramp, Dolphin Drive, 2:30 - 4:30pm
Little Street Forster Boat ramp closed
For the safety of pedestrians in this area, during December and January the ramp will be closed to motorised watercraft during daylight hours.
Nearby access ramps include Forster Marina, Tuncurry (Point Road) and Elizabeth Reserve (Forster Keys).
Keep an eye out for THE REFILL MOBILE this summer
What’s better than coming across a water refill station when you’re out and about? Eight of them, on wheels!
If you haven’t spotted our new portable water bottle refill trailer yet, you’re in for a treat as it makes its way around the region over summer.
The Refill Mobile made its debut at the Barrington Coast Air Show in November, and was a roaring success with show-goers. Not only did it keep everyone hydrated in the heat, the mobile refill station helped to save hundreds of plastic water bottles from ending up in the bin.
The unique trailer features eight taps, four on either side, that pour cool, refreshing and locally sourced water directly into refillable water bottles. The sleek trailer design also presents users with interesting facts about the benefits of tap water, explaining it’s not only delicious and good for your back pocket, but it’s also a big tick for the environment.
We’ll be rolling The Refill Mobile out to a range of events across the region, so keep your eyes peeled and make sure you bring your refillable drink bottle.
1 OF 10
Retail value $20
While refillable water bottles are now a thing, we’ve taken them to the next level.
To enter the draw, email your contact details with SUMMER in the subject line by 5pm on Friday 28 February to: community@midcoast.nsw.gov.au
If you’re feeling the heat, don’t forget that your pet is too. Make time to protect your four-legged friend during those hot days.
Hydration: Provide access to fresh, cool water in multiple areas of your home.
Refuge: Create cool retreats that offer shade and airflow. Use a fan if possible.
Grooming: Brushing your extra-furry friends to remove excess hair will reduce matting and allow better air circulation.
Treats: Just like us, your pets enjoy chilled or frozen treats and ice-cubes in summer.
Never leave pets in cars: Temperatures can rise and become dangerous quickly.
A pointer on parking
Don’t forget when you’re about and about over summer to follow the signs that describe where you can park and for how long. This helps everyone have a fair go.
There’ll be more frequent monitoring of timed parking zones, as well as vehicles on beaches, and camping in prohibited areas.
New number plate recognition technology will be used to identify illegally parked cars, and a fine will be issued by mail.
Parking restrictions are designed to benefit everyone in busy areas where parking is high in demand.
Handy information for the holidays
Patrolled beaches beachsafe.org.au
Weather and tides bom.gov.au
School holidays in our libraries library.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/events
Public swimming pools midcoast.nsw.gov.au/pools
Beach driving rules & permits midcoast.nsw.gov.au/beachdriving
Got a problem? Tell us about it.
With over 10,000km2 to cover, delivering your every day services like roadworks, water, and bin collections, can be challenging.
If you have an issue that needs addressing, use our report and request system to let us know. midcoast.nsw.gov.au/report
You’ll find plenty
keep you entertained this summer, from local markets to
in towns and villages
some of the events we think you’ll like.