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Taree is a city on the Mid North Coast, New South
Wales, Australia. Taree and nearby Cundletown were
settled in 1831 by William Wynter. Since then Taree
has grown to a population of around 20,000 people
and is the centre of a significant agricultural
district. It is 16 km from the sea coast, and 317 km
north of Sydney. Taree can be reached by train via
the North Coast Railway, and by the Pacific Highway.
Taree is within the Local Government Area of the
City of Greater Taree, the state electorate of Myall
Lakes and the Federal electorate of Lyne.
Taree was laid out as a private town in 1854 by
Henry Flett, the son-in-law of William Wynter who
had originally settled the area in 1831. 100 acres
(0.40 km2) had been set aside for the private
township and 40 lots were initially sold. Taree was
declared a municipality on 26 March 1885 and the
first municipal council was elected by the
residents. In 1844, the government of New South
Wales had established Wingham at the head of
navigation of the Manning River as its
administrative centre which hindered Taree becoming
the major centre of the region.
This changed, however, when the North Coast railway
line was connected to Taree but not Wingham in 1913.
Although connected to the railway, sea transport
continued to dominate along the North Coast until
the 1930s and this acted as a brake on Taree's
growth. This changed when the Martin Bridge replaced
the ferry across the Manning River in 1940.
The oldest surviving building in Taree is the old St
Paul's Presbyterian Church, built in 1869 in the
Victorian Gothic Revival style, next door to the
current building, in Albert Street.
Nearby towns include historic Wingham, Tinonee, and
the beachside town of Old Bar.
A local tourist attraction is a building called "The
World's Largest Oyster", also called "The Big
Oyster". Big Things are a common form of tourist
attraction in Australia. Like the Big Merino and Big
Banana, the 'Oyster' is an artifact based on local
produce; the Manning River produces some 3 and a
half million oysters a year. The Big Oyster was an
unsuccessful business venture, known to the locals
as a 'Big Mistake', and is now home to a motor
dealership.
The Manning Entertainment Centre was built in the
1980s as the cultural centre of the district.
Although it seats 500 people it is too small to
accommodate large acts; for example the orchestra
pit is not large enough for a full symphony
orchestra. However a great variety of acts,
including the District Eisteddfod and local amateur
dramatic societies, utilise it to provide cultural
outings for the local community.
Located next to the Entertainment Centre and the
Visitor Information Centre at the northern entrance
to Taree is the Manning Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
This facility includes a 25 metre indoor heated pool
with slippery dip and a 50 metre outdoor pool and
soon after the time of opening had the second most
expensive pool entrance fee in Australia, the most
expensive being a pool in Perth, Western Australia.
The Aquatic Centre was built in the late 1990s –
early 2000s to replace the Taree Pool, which could
no longer be used for swimming. Located next to the
Manning River in the centre of town, the Taree Pool
had fallen into disrepair and is now condemned.
The Manning Regional Art Gallery is located in a
cottage style building next to Taree Public School.
The art gallery hosts a changing selection of works
by local artists and visiting exhibitions.
Annual events
January
Events in the NSW Rowing Association Annual
Pointscore Rowing Regatta are held at Endeavour
Place in Taree during the third week of January.
This Regatta consists of 50 races with competitors
travelling from many parts of New South Wales to
compete.
The Manning River Summer Festival runs throughout
the month of January, incorporating the town's New
Year's celebrations, a "Family Fun Day" in Queen
Elizabeth Park on Australia Day, and also vide
variety of cultural events.
March
The Easter Powerboat Classic is held on the Manning
River near Queen Elizabeth Park during the Easter
Long Weekend. Events start on Friday morning and
feature the Stuart Doyle Cup on Saturday and the Ken
Warby time trials midday Saturday and Sunday.
August
The Taree Gold Cup is a prestigious horse racing
event held at the Bushland Drive Racecourse.
October
The Taree Annual Show is held the second weekend in
October, comprising of sideshow, precision driving
team, rodeo events, cattle and livestock judging.
Taree railway station is on the North Coast Line of
the CityRail network. It is serviced by six
Countrylink trains daily. Three heading to Sydney,
another three heading North to Grafton, Casino or
Brisbane. |