Benbellen Country Retreat & Cottages

What to do in the beautiful Hannam Vale and surrounds.

One of New South Wales best kept secrets, Hannam Vale is located to the West of the Pacific Highway. The valley entrance is protected by Middle Brother to the North and South Brother to the South; it features rolling green hills surrounded by the granite outcrops of the Lansdowne escarpment. Its country experience is completed by its occasional rattling wooden bridge and the gentle roller-coaster roads that wander through the lush green pasture land.

Hannam Vale is an ideal place to rest and relax for its own sake or as a respite from travel up and down the Pacific Highway. It is also a convenient and comfortable base for experiencing the wonderful natural and scenic attractions of the area:

National Parks. The area abounds with National Parks each with its own particular appeal. Coorabakh National Park abuts the Lansdowne Escarpment to the west of Hannam Vale and is easily accessible from our properties. Its features the Big Nellie Volcanic Plug, Flat Rock Lookout and Newbys Creek Walk and Caves as well as Newbys Lookout; 4WD is useful and highly recommended in the wetter weather. To the north is Dooragan National Park which surrounds North Brother with access to the south off Ocean Road from Kew to Laurieton with a wonderful panoramic drive through rain forest to twin lookouts with combined views extending from Kempsey and Port Macquarie to the north and Old Bar and Tuncurry Forster to the South. There is Crowdy Bay National Park with miles of pristine Pacific shoreline from fabulous Crowdy Head through to Dunbogan and the Diamond Head Reserve and Kylie?s Hut.

Rainforests abound in and around the area and not just in its fabulous national parks. The south side of Middle Brother, one of the two peaks guarding the entrance to the valley is rich in rainforest trails and walkways. Take Jerusalem Road north off Hannam Vale Road at Stewarts River and follow the signs to the east of the road to Kendall and experience the depth of the forest growth of the area. Look for the signs to the walk ways off the roadway. Stop off for refreshments at the Bower Bird Caf?, the home of Norfolk Punch and other world famous non-alcoholic wines and beverages.

Bird and animal watching. Everywhere you go in the area wild life abounds. Kangaroos and wallabies run wild at dawn and dusk along the roads; they are especially plentiful at the Diamond Head Park where they have been tamed over the years by campers. Koalas are plentiful toward Port Macquarie (where there is a koala hospital open to the public). There is also a koala sanctuary just off the Pacific Highway toward Wauchope where visitors can pat the animals.

Monster trees. Middle Brother National Park is the home of some of the tallest trees in New South Wales. Access from Jerusalem Road from Stewarts River or Batar Creek Road from Kendal: watch closely for the signposts to Big Fella Gum and Bird Tree both requiring short strolls off the road through the cool rainforests walkways.

Bushwalking trails are available to the south of Penlan Cottage or on Benbellen farm as well as many more strenuous walks through the National Parks at Lansdowne, Coopernook, Laurieton, Crowdy Bay or Diamond Head.

Waterfalls. From a quick dip in the pool at Waitui Falls to the north of Waitui and Benbellen, the walk to the Falls at the top of Isaac Lane at Johns River to a day long trip through Comboyne or Wingham to Ellenborough Falls, the area is full of the special delights of running and falling waters.

4WD trails. The road from Coopernook to Hannam Vale through Waitui past the turn off to Benbellen on Cherry Tree Lane takes in the delights of the lookouts and walks prepared by NSW National parks and Wildlife Service. Many other 4WD trails exist at Coopernook, Middle Brother, Crowdy Bay and the West of Herons Creek through the state forests that characterise the area.

Horse riding. Limited in the valley itself due to the ravages of the third party insurance costs, there are a couple of excellent rides available just an hour?s drive from the valley. Sherry or Peter will organise your riding for you; all ages and experiences catered for.

Blueberry picking. From late November to Mid-January each year, Jenny Kompara?s blueberry farm is open to visitors who pay for a bucket and pick their own to their hearts (and perhaps their stomachs) content.

Pacific Coast beaches. From Forster Tuncurry and Old Bar to the south through to Crowdy Bay, Dunbogan and North Haven to Lighthouse Beach south of Port Macquarie as well as the many Port Macquarie beaches. A list of dog friendly beaches is available.

Timbertown. Great entertainment for families, Timbertown is located just west of Wauchope on the Oxley Highway

Golfing. Some of the best courses in the Mid North Coast are but a short drive away: Port Macquarie Golf Club south of Port Macquarie on the Ocean Road; Wauchope Country Club, Camden Haven Golf Club at Kew, Taree Golf Club on Commerce Street on the way to Wingham out of Taree, and Tuncurry Golf Club a true links course just north of Tuncurry on the Tourist Road through Forster/Tuncurry.

Wine Tasting. From Cassegrain Winery just off the Pacific Highway north of the Wauchope/Port Macquarie turnoff; Bago Bago Winery off the Bago Road north of Herons Creek to Wauchope; Long Point Winery off Huston Mitchell Drive, north of Kew.

Markets are a feature of the area and the quality of local produce is excellent: Johns River ? second Saturday each month; Kendall Show Ground ? every third Sunday: Laurieton ? every third Sunday; and Coopernook ? every first Saturday.

Art Galleries. There is the Sunset Gallery in Port Macquarie and the Manning Regional Art Gallery in Taree.

Lorne Valley Macadamia Farm where you can purchase nuts in a variety of ?flavours? as well as sample the delights of the orchard caf?.

Other items of interest include the many cafes and restaurants of the area (see the notes in your room compendium) as well as lots of fun for the kids: Tons o' Fun and the Big Buzz north of Tuncurry, Camel rides at Lighthouse Beach not to mentions cinemas (don't miss the fabulous Laurieton Plaza at Laurieton). For the adventurous there is Port Water Rats for adventure boating, boat hire at Dunbogan Boatshed, paragliding at high Adventure Air Park and lots, lots more!

... and, of course a number of on-farm activities at Benbellen including feeding the prize winning alpacas, feeding ducks, chooks and playing with our farm dogs. Visits to local dairies at milking time can also be arranged.

© Copyright 2012 Wotif.com Holdings Limited. ABN 41 093 000 456.