Manilla is a picturesque country town located at the junction of the Manilla & Namoi rivers, 30 minutes drive to the north of Tamworth.
How to get to Manilla:
By Rail
From Sydney, trains leave Central Station from the country stations platform at 11.05 am daily, Armidale XPL. Change to a bus at Tamworth - see full timetable and fares at www.countrylink.info or phone: 13 22 32. Bookings in Manilla can be made at Manilla Newsagency phone: 02 6785 15 64
By Road
Manilla is situated 45kms by road (The Fossickers Way : SR95) north of Tamworth in north western NSW.
Tamworth is 370kms by road (New England Highway : NR15) from Sydney and 575kms from Brisbane
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Approximate Travel times from: Tamworth 30 mins, Armidale 2 hrs, Narrabri 1 1/2 hrs, Gunnedah 40 mins, Barraba 40 mins, Sydney 5hrs, Brisbane 7hrs.
By Air
Air service Sydney to Tamworth, Sydney Departures, Qantas Domestic Terminal (confirm when booking). Reservations Qantas phone: 13 13 13 or through a travel agent
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Area attractions:
Manilla Street
A stroll along picturesque Manilla St, the town's main thoroughfare, is pleasant enough. It has some fine Federation-style buildings.
Royce Cottage
Royce Cottage and Museum has the Pioneer Gallery, a bakery, a schoolhouse, a machinery museum and the original house. The latter was originally a family home erected in 1884 by G.H. Royce, the building contractor who constructed the original bridge over the Namoi River. In 1900 the home became a bakery (built on at the rear) with the shop section added to the front. It is the only remaining building of that era on the main street; many others being destroyed by fires in the 1900s. There is also a machinery museum and a display relating to platypuses which are often found in the area. They are open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m., or by appointment, tel: (02) 6785 1207.
Dutton's Meadery
Dutton's Meadery is one of the very few meaderies in the nation. Aside from mead, an alcoholic beverage made from honey, there are tastings and sales of fresh honey. Located in Barraba St, they are open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily and at other times by appointment, tel: (02) 6785 1148. There are conducted tours (by appointment only) of a private museum with historic items.
Manilla Weir
The Manilla Weir, off Stafford St, at the eastern end of town, is a pleasant spot for a quiet fish or for a family outing. There are picnic, barbeque and toilet facilities.
Lake Keepit
The Lake Keepit Recreation Area turnoff is 30 km south-west of Manilla and is appropriate for all varieties of water sport - waterskiing, fishing, swimming, sailing, windsurfing and power boating, with fishing boats for hire. Children's facilities include a children's pool, a BMX track, a skateboarding area and a roller-skating rink. There are barbeques, a kiosk, toilets, half-court tennis and a five-hole golf course. For further information contact the ranger on (02) 6769 7605. A sailing regatta is held each June and the Lake Keepit Soaring Club is also located at the lake, tel: (02) 6769 7514. For reservations at the caravan park, tel: 02-6769 7620.
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Manilla Ski Gardens
Before you reach the turnoff to the recreation area there is another signposted turnoff on the right into a dirt road that leads, after 3 km, to Manilla Ski Gardens on the eastern side of the lake. There is an established caravan park, a kiosk, playground equipment, barbeques, boat ramps and fisherman's lodges, tel: (02) 6785 1686.
Warrabah National Park
Warrabah National Park is 35 km north-east of Manilla on the Namoi River Road (only the first 13 km are sealed). It surrounds the Upper Namoi River which descends in altitude by 220 m as it traverses 18 km of striking gorge country, offering a number of large grade 3 rapids before flowing gently past the car camping and picnic area at the park entrance. Bushwalking, bush camping, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, fishing and swimming can all be pursued, tel: (02) 6773 7211.
Split Rock Dam
Split Rock Dam is good for fishing and aquatic activities. Head north along the Fossickers Way towards Barraba for 14 km, turn right at the clearly signposted turnoff and it is another 6 km. There are toilet, barbecue and picnic facilities.
Manilla Paragliding & Hang-gliding
Manilla is a popular paragliding and hang-gliding area. 'Manilla Paragliding' offers tandem flights, a two-day introduction and an eight-day 'live-in' licensing course with all equipment supplied. tel: (02) 6785 6545. www.mss.org.au
Manilla SkyRanch
The Manilla SkyRanch is the perfect training spot, good flying weather can be almost guaranteed. It has three cross runways, little traffic and a very large training area. SkyRanch operates seven days per week, full time courses or other arrangements. tel: (02) 6769 7771. www.manillaskyranch.com
Local events:
Vintage machinery Display (June)
Tamworth Country Music Festival (January)
Paragliding Open (March)
Manilla Show (March)
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Note: All phone numbers shown here are relevant for the New England / North West area (02 67). If you are dialling from outside Australia, you need to use your international access, then 61, plus the listed number; but leave out the '0' from the area code. From within Australia just dial the listed number.
