Welcome to the MidCoast region, we hope you enjoy your holiday with us.
Due to recent floods, many MidCoast waterways, parks, reserves, showgrounds, sports fields, campgrounds and other spaces may be closed due to damaged infrastructure or unsafe conditions.
As you visit, please observe all signage and obey directions of lifesavers at beaches.
Use your judgement and treat all flood-affected waterways as potentially contaminated unless they have the all-clear.
The following information is correct as of Thursday 1 April, but conditions can and do change so exercise caution when visiting.
Waterways
Both the Forster Ocean Baths and the Blackhead Ocean Baths have been tested and are safe for swimmers.
All open ocean beaches - please use your own discretion, and obey any directions from patrolling lifesavers.
Tested and deemed safe for recreational use:
- Manning River, from Wingham to Manning Point and Harrington
- Dawson River
- Wallis Lake at Tiona Park, Paradise Marina, Little Street Baths and the Wallis Lake boat ramp
- Wallamba River at Darawank
- Smiths Lake at Sandbar, Frothy Coffee Boatshed and Tarbuck Bay
- Myall River at Bulahdelah
Not safe for recreational use:
- Myall River at Bulahdelah
- Wallamba River at Darawank
- Saltwater Lagoon
- Black Head Lagoon
- Smiths Lake at Tarbuck Bay
Beach driving
We're also asking those with beach driving permits not to drive through the dune systems.
Driving is only permitted within the intertidal zone to protect shorebird habitat, animal nests and vegetation.
Unfortunately if there is too much debris on the beach, then it's a no-go zone for beach driving.
Vehicle access is limited at Old Bar Beach, and at Black Head (Seven Mile Beach) to due to natural debris and/or erosion.
Recreational parks
- Taree - cleaning is in progress at Queen Elizabeth Park through to Bicentennial Park. Works will take another week to complete. There will be localised public closures/restrictions in place.
Queen Elizabeth playground, Queen Elizabeth Exercise stations and Fotheringham All Abilities Playground remained close due to flood damage.
Wingham Riverside Reserve – suffered significant flood damage and will be closed to the public until 9 April 2021.
- At Gloucester Billabong Park, the suspension bridge closed indefinitely due to flood damage.
Sportsgrounds
Several parks and reserves remain closed for organised sporting activities and will be opened when ground conditions permit.
Taree Recreation Ground – Hockey Fields are closed due to flood damage. One field requires synthetic und underlay replacement, and two fields require a deep clean.
Roads
Road closures due to flooding and sustained flood damage including landslips are still in place in some locations across the MidCoast.
Visit Myroadinfo or livetraffic.com for road updates.
