Manilla

Understand

Manilla, on the junction of the Manilla River and the Namoi River, was a camping ground for the indigenous Kamilaroi people. During the 1850s, bullock teams supplying the outlying farms and the settlements of Bingara, Barraba and Bundarra were often delayed here when either or both of the rivers were in flood, and in 1853 an entrepreneur, George Verness, set up a store and wine shop to supply the teamsters. Wheat, sheep, and cattle farms are the main industries in the district. Manilla is a good base for fishing and paragliding.

Tourist information centre 1 Manilla Visitor Information Centre, 197 Queen Street (across the road from the Tamworth Regional Council - Manilla Office and Public Library), ☏ +61 2 6785 1207, [email protected]. M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 10AM-3PM. Tourist and visitor information. As of Feb 2021, closed due to Covid-19 restrictions - information may be obtained from the local webpage here.

Getting there

By car Manilla is on the B95 Fossickers Way (Manilla Road), 41 km north of Tamworth and 46 km south of Barraba. Manilla is 66 km north-east of Gunnedah via Oxley Highway (B56), through Carroll, Rushes Creek road, pass Lake Keepit and Keepit Dam. Manilla is 144 km south-west of Armidale via New England Highway (A15) (southbound), Uralla, Bendeemer, Moonbi, Kootingal, Nemingha, Oxley Highway (B56).

Driver rest areas From south to north:

2 Attunga Park, Manilla Road (B95 Fossickers Way), 21 km north of Tamworth, in Attunga (right hand side, opposite Attunga Hotel). Access for light and heavy vehicles. Toilets. Picnic tables. Playground. 3 Lions Park - Manilla, Klori, Manilla Road (B95 Fossickers Way), 38 km north of Tamworth (left hand side, visible from the road). Light vehicle access. Toilets. Picnic tables. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Lions Park - Barraba, Manilla Road (B95 Fossickers Way), 41 km north of Manilla (right hand side, opposite the turn-off to Longarm Road). Access for light vehicles and heavy vehicles. Toilets. Picnic tables. Playground. Shelter. (updated Feb 2021)

By coach

Trainlink NSW A NSW Trainlink coach service runs between Inverell and Tamworth to catch the long-distance trains at Tamworth. Coaches to Tamworth stop opposite Rotary Park, and coaches to Inverell stop at Rotary Park. Southbound coaches (Route 312) depart Inverell W-M at 6:30AM, departs Manilla at 9:26AM, and arrives at Tamworth at 10:06AM. Northbound coaches (Route 311) depart Tamworth W-M at 3:55PM, departs Manilla at 4:32PM, and arrives at Inverell at 7:15PM. A map and timetable can be downloaded here. Bookings are essential - Coach drivers do not take payment or offer reservations.

Bookings NSW Trainlink - regular bookings, ☏ +61 13 22 32. Daily 7AM-10PM. NSW Trainlink - multi-trip and Discovery Pass, ☏ +61 13 22 32. Daily 7AM-10PM. Tamworth (Railway Station), Marius Street, ☏ +61 13 22 32. Daily 8:30AM-4:30 PM. 5 Manilla - coach stop (Rotary Park), corner of Ma

Getting around

Private transport is essential, as there is neither a taxi service nor a local bus service in Manilla. The nearest rental car agencies are in Tamworth.

See

In and near town 1 Manilla Heritage & Rural Museum, 197 Manilla Street (enter through the Manilla Visitors Information Centre next door), ☏ +61 2 6785 1207. 9:30AM-3:30PM most days - phone to confirm hours. Adult $4, concession $3, child $1, family (2 adults, 3+ children) $10. (updated Feb 2021) 2 Railway Bridge and Viaduct, Manilla Showground and Sporting Complex (corner of Court Street and River Street). Daylight hours. Built in 1908 for the now-defunct Barraba Branch railway line. Crosses the Namoi River. The bridge is viewed from behind the sheds. (updated Feb 2021) 3 Manilla Weir, Chaffey Park (off Strafford Street). A tranquil spot for picnics, and a local swimming-hole. A short walk from the caravan park. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Manellae Collectables, 110 Arthur Street, ☏ +61 428 856 513. by appointment only. Private museum of collectables. (updated Feb 2021) 5 The Manilla Folder, 200 Manilla Street (opposite the Manilla and District Soldiers Memorial Hall), ☏ +61 427 856 540. Phone for hours. Antiques, books, and a lot more. (updated Feb 2021)

Out of town

North 6 Split Rock Dam (24 km north of Manilla via Manilla Road (B95 Fossickers Way) (northbound), turn right onto Split Rock Dam Road). Camping, barbecues, picnic areas, toilets, fishing, showers, boat ramps, water sports, bushwalking.

North-east 7 Warrabah National Park (38 km northeast of Manilla via Manilla Road (B95 Fossickers Way) (northbound), turn right into Charles Street, turn left into Arthur Street, continue ahead around the bend to right onto Namoi River Road, turn right onto Warrabah Trail). On the banks of the Namoi River. Carpark, barbecue facilities, picnic tables, toilets. Free entry. (updated Nov 2019)

South-west 8 Keepit Dam, Keepit Dam Road, Keepit (39 km south-west of Manilla via Rushes Creek Road and Keepit Dam Road). Camping, playground, picnic areas, toilets, fishing, kiosk, showers, boat ramps, water sports, bushwalking, BMX track. (updated Nov 2019)

West 9 Boonalla

Do

Manilla Show, Manilla Showground and Sporting Complex, ☏ +61 427 953 833, [email protected]. Held in March. (updated Feb 2021) Manilla Vintage Machinery Rally, ☏ +61 2 6785 1181. Held in June. (updated Feb 2021)

Sports 1 Manilla Paragliding (Fly Manilla), 1106 Wimbourne Rd, Wimbourne (14 km north-west of Manilla - turn into Charles Street (westbound), left into River Street, cross the Manilla River bridge, turn right into Wimbourne Road), ☏ +61 2 6785 6545. Phone for particulars. Hang-gliders (updated Feb 2021) 2 Lake Keepit Soaring Club, 234 Keepit Dam Road (37 km south-west from Manilla - turn into Market Street (westbound), turn left into River Street, pass the Manilla Showground on the right and continue ahead on Rushes Creek Road, turn right into Keepit Dam Road, turn into first road on the right, turn into first road on the right again, turn right at the fork), ☏ +61 2 6769 7514. Phone for particulars. Gliding (updated Feb 2021) 3 Manilla Memorial Swimming Pool, corner of Arthur Street (B95 Fossickers Way) and Church Street, ☏ +61 2 6785 1436. see website for season and times. Outdoor 50-metre six-lane pool shaded at the shallow end, shade-covered infant’s wading pool, kiosk offering hot and cold food and beverages, spectator area, playground, picnic tables. Disabled access into main pool. See fees here. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Manilla Bowling Club (101-103 Arthur Street), ☏ +61 2 6785 1632. Phone for hours. Lawn bowls. (updated Feb 2021) 5 Manilla Tennis Club, Progress Lane (northbound) - off Market Street (westbound), ☏ +61 2 6785 7321. Phone for court hire. Tennis courts. (updated Feb 2021) 6 Manilla Golf Club, Halls Creek Road (turn into Strafford Street (westbound), continue past Manilla Hospital on the right, golf club on the right), ☏ +61 2 6785 1417. Phone for hours. (updated Feb 2021)

Buy

Self catering 1 Carlo's IGA Plus Liquor (Manilla Supermarket), 165 Manil