For those who visits the Manning Valley they leave with the feeling that there's nothing local about this out of Earth soothing place, this uncensored expression of nature. For those who stays, they know...

Although you'll be basking in the laps of solitude within our enchanted forest, you're never totally alone or isolated from like-minded similar interest people or useful places to replenish your supplies or exotic terrains to explore.

Melaleuca Seaside Retreat is a short 4 km (2.48 miles) from Manning Point on the Manning River. Manning Point is only a small village but provides many facilities to add to and even enhance your holiday.

Grocery Supplies
The General Store sells everything from takeaway food to petrol and alcohol while the nearby BlueWater café has great light meals and cappuccinos.

Cafés & Restaurants
Across the road at the marina is a new café/restaurant called the Waterbird Restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner on most days of the week.

Bowling
Also the Manning Point Bowling Club offers visitors all the usual club hospitality and service including the Brighton Bistro.

Fishing
So fishing is your passion? That's perfect. Bring your fishing gear and have a relaxing day casting that reel.
Also the Manning River offers a great opportunity to catch a big one since commercial fishing has been banned for some time. The recreational fishing area spans from the mouth of the Manning River at Old Bar to Berady Creek and from Harrington to Ghinni Ghinni.
Manning Point is renowned as one of the best fishing spots in Australia, perfect for snapper, perch, bream, blackfish and whiting. Sitting on the mouth of the Manning River, you have access to 150 km (93 miles) of navigable water, as good as it can get for boating, fishing and recreational activities.

Bait as well as fishing licences can be obtained at the stores below (Listed by travel distance from Melaleuca Seaside Retreat):-

• Manning Point Store – 97 Main Street, Manning Point (4.6 km or approx. 8 min)
• Alcorns Sportscene – 22 Pulteney Street, Taree (31.4 km or approx. 31 min)
• Doddys Store – 120A Manning Street, Taree (31.8 km or approx. 31 min)
• Manning Valley Tackle – 8 Manning Street, Taree (31.3 km or approx. 32 min)
• The Tarean News & More – 46A Wynter Street, Taree (31.9 km or approx. 32 min)
• Manning River Marine – 13 Victoria Street, Taree (32.1 km or approx. 34 min)
• Tinonee General Store – 53 Beecher Street, Tinonee (34.3 km or approx. 31 min)
• Tobacco Station Wingham – 1/89 Isabella Street, Wingham (42.8 km or approx. 43 min)
• Worralls Store – 23 Macquarie Street, Coopernook (47.6 km or approx. 39 min)
• Cellarbrations at Diamond Beach – 26 Diamond Beach Road, Diamond Beach (47.9 km or approx. 40 min)
• Hallidays Point Store – 15 Main Street, Halliday’s Point (49.2 km or approx. 43 min)
• Ritchies Bait & Tackle – 23 Beach Street, Harrington (57.6 km or approx. 48 min)

Sailing
Sailing is popular on the Manning River because of its long stretches of wide smooth water and gentle breezes. For those with their own boat, the boat ramp provides easy access to the Manning River, with around 150kms of navigable waterways as well as access through the bar to the Tasman. Directly across the river is Harrington with clubs, restaurants, shops and cafes.

River Cruises
Manning Valley River Cruises and Harrington River Cruises operate from the Manning Point jetty providing a variety of day and evening cruises on the river, as well as a service to Harrington, the once sleepy small fishing villages located on the northern entrance of the Manning River.

4WD
4WD access to the beach is available at the Manning Point Reserve and permits are available from the General Store.

Fresh Seafood and Oyster Farms
Mitchells Island is the centre of the oyster industry on the Manning, and fresh oysters and seafood are always available from a number of farmers.

City Centre
The commercial centre for the Manning Valley is Taree and is only 25 mins away from the retreat. Taree is quite a large town with several shopping malls and specialty stores in addition to all the companies and organisations to support the 46,500+ population of the Valley.

For example, Taree Central is home to Woolworths, Big W and over 45 specialty stores serving all your shopping needs.
The Centre is located on the corner of Albert Street and Manning Street in the CBD of Taree (Opposite Manning Mall.) The Centre address is 60 Manning Street, Taree NSW 2430 (Click here for directions from our Retreat.)

For additional shopping options visit Manning Mall, home to Coles, Target and over 30 specialty stores. Manning Mall is also located on the corner of Albert Street and Manning Street in the CBD of Taree. The Mall's address is 81 Manning Street, Taree NSW 2430. (Click here for directions from our Retreat.)

Historical sites and National Parks Further up the valley are many smaller towns, historical sites and National Parks climbing up into the surrounding forests and farmland with many craft stores and cafes. On the way back from Taree, there are a number of State Forests and tourist areas around Old Bar Beach and Saltwater Lagoon.

Wineries
Only a short drive from the retreat can be found many vineyards and boutique wineries providing regular wine tasting and public sales.