Manning River

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Manning River
The Manning River upstream of Mount George
Origin	Barrington Tops
Mouth	confluence with the Barnard River
Basin countries	Australia
Length	250 km
Basin area	8,190 km² ^[1]

The Manning River is a river in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Waters from the river can supply the Barnard River Scheme and Bayswater Power Station.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Events
4 Industry
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

In 1818 John Oxley crossed and named Harrington and Farquhar inlets during a trip from the Hastings River, near Port Macquaire, to Port Stephens. The Manning River itself was first surveyed by Henry Dangar in 1825 and again in 1826 on behalf of the Australian Agricultural Company. The river was recorded on the survey map as "Boolumbahtee," its Aboriginal name.

Later in 1826 the river was named Mannings River for the Deputy Governor of the Australian Agricultural Company, Sir William Manning. In the same year it was declared that the Manning was the northern limit of the Nineteen Counties, defining the areas of New South Wales where settlers were free to occupy.

Until 1913, ships servicing the coast brought goods and supplies up the river.

[edit] Geography

Cargo wharf at Wingham

The Manning River is fed by the Avon River, Rowley's River, the Nowendoc River, the Barnard River, the Little Manning River, and the Barrington River, which flows through Gloucester. Once the river reaches Taree it splits and the southern arm flows into the Pacific Ocean at Old Bar. The northern arm is joined by the Dawson River and the Landsdowne River and meets the ocean at Harrington.

Wingham was established at the furthest point supply boats could reach up the river and became the regions major port. The old cargo wharf at Wingham Brush has been recently refurbished. The town of Tinonee was also settled on the river near Taree.

[edit] Events

Taree is home to the annual Manning River Summer Festival, which features rowing, and sailing. The Taree Powerboat Club Spectacular is held in the Manning River during the Easter long weekend. The link between Taree and the oyster industry is shown by the presence in Taree of the "Big Oyster", a building constructed in the shape of an open oyster shell.

[edit] Industry

Tourist trips are popular on the Manning.

Commercial fishing and oyster farming are both practiced in the Manning. The peak season for oyster production is September to March and average yearly production is 310,755 dozen.^{[citation needed]}