Where to visit?

Jackadgery

Jackadgery is located just 42km west of Grafton on the NSW’s mid north coast. The Gwydir Highway that links Grafton to the tablelands has only been there since the early 60’s, as before this road was put over the mountain the link was along The Old Glenn Innes road that runs below the range. At the very peak of the Great Dividing Range some 1,100 metres above sea level lay 2 World Heritage National Parks on either side of the Highway. On the Northern side you will find Washpool National Park and on the southern side you will find the Gibraltar National Park.

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Washpool National Park

This park is very much rainforest based with pristine creeks, cool temperate areas that have been set aside for camping and day areas, with basic facilities.

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Gibraltar National Park

With generous private camp sites, flushing toilets, several bbq huts, fires are permitted and wood is available, cold showers and even a little bit of history is thrown in. 

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Mann River

The river was originally called the Mitchell but today you will find it called the Mann River. 

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Jackadgery – The ‘Old’ Bridge

The remains of the old low level Jackadgery bridge can still be seen as old concrete piers. Stephen Conroy Bellamy, built these piers with Jack Eaves in the 1930's. In those days everything would've been done by hand and it must have been very hard work. At least they didn't have to go far for the river shingle to mix with the cement.

Steve learnt how to build bridges in the Great Depression on the massive Grafton Bridge project.

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Jackadgery – The ‘New’ Bridge

In the mid 1930's the Department of Main Roads (DMR) decided that rather than reconstruct the road to Glen Innes an entire new route would be built. It took another thirty years for this project to be realised. In October 1961 the new bridge over the Mann River at Jackadgery opened.

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Jackadgery – The old Public School

The Public School closed in 2003. It now looks very forlorn with the overgrown tennis court and empty playground.

 

Cangai

Cangai is old gold & copper mining country and even today there are reclusive prospectors panning for gold and fossicking for gemstones.

If you travel from Jackadgery along the Gywdir Highway toward Glen Innes before you start to climb the mountain range on the right hand side you will find the turn off to Cangai. The Cangai Bridge Road crosses over the Mann River, past a reserve and climbs up over the hills.

Cangai today looks like any other cattle property. If you look at the water flowing through the stockyard creek you can see the bluish tinge of copper in it. If you look up the mountain you can see the level ground where the smelters were.

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Cangai Gold Mine

In 1858 the diggings were already in full swing at Cangai. In 1861 a town had started to grow around the diggings and there was a butcher and a general store. There were frequent fights and disputes amongst the miners, as at this time Cangai was not an official gold field, so there was no redress to the law when somebody jumped your claim.

In 1872 the mining companies were being formed and moving into the Cangai area. By 1876 leases were being taken up, however most were only 6 acres.

The Cangai Goldfields were proclaimed on the 17th January 1873. Measuring about 69 square miles, it included the counties of Drake and Gresham, and the Mitchell River, at Cangai.

In 1894 there were 36 hands employed in the mine and the mine was yielding satisfactory amounts of gold. In 1896 the first school at Cangai was opened, however the mine was not going so well. Two years later drought and bushfires ravaged the mines, making it impossible for men to work. Even though gold mining continued on and off for some more years this was really the end of the gold era at Cangai.

 

Cangai Copper Mine

The Cangai Mine was an open cut and underground copper mine and was at an altitude of approximately 355m.

The discovery that led to the first lease being taken up was made in 1901 by Mr. John Seller, an old resident at Cangai.

In 1904 it was the intention to erect a third smelter with a capacity of sixty ton per week. At this stage the ore was being sent by dropher to Copmanhurst and then by road to the wharves at Grafton. The construction was expected to be finished by February 1905.

In 1908 an application was made for the transfer of the licence of the Ramornie Hotel, (which had recently burnt down) to new premises at Cangai. There was no objection, the licence was transferred and was to be known as the Cangai Hotel.

Church services were held in the Public Hall but the women of the town thought this wasn’t good enough and started to hold socials to establish a proper building for the Church of England.

Cangai was booming and in May 1909 the local member announced that 25 town lots would be offered for sale.

The town also had two dance halls, a billiard room, a baker, a storekeeper, a butcher, a fruiter & newsagent, a blacksmith, a barber, a hairdresser, a coach proprietor, a constable, a boarding house keeper, a mining engineer and two teachers. 

Mr. William Mulligan was the boss of the Cangai copper mine and smelter.

 

Mulligan’s Hut

Exploring Gilbraltar National Park, you can see Mulligan's Hut and his plans to build a hydro electricity scheme here.  Born in 1862 William Mulligan was a local farmer and mining engineer, he was well respected and devoted his time to local developmental projects. At Dundahra Creek he built 2 bark huts with timber slab walls, dirt floor and a bark roof. Unfortunately a fire swept through here in 1960, but National Parks have rebuilt the larger one of the two. It was here that William Mulligan along with his partners planned to dam both the north and south arm of Dundahra Creek, then sending the water over the escarpment some 600 metres below to a hydro electric plant. They needed to measure the flow of the water so 2 concrete weirs were built to measure the water flow. One of the weirs can be found directly near the hut while the other can be found further downstream. 

It was a huge risk for William Mulligan, so in 1942 he approached the Minister for Mining for a loan to reopen the Cangai Copper mine that lays below the escarpment to help fund his proposal but was rejected. Unfortunately when his partner’s leases ran out in 1952 the scheme was abandoned.

 

Hanging Rock

A very large working cattle station, has now been subdivided and is two separate cattle stations. Both stations have frontage to the Broadwater on the Mann River.

 

Broadwater

Travelling to Hanging Rock, along Carnham Road you follow the gravel through some of the most picturesque country imaginable. You will come to a well-defined intersection that takes you back toward the river. This is Hanging Rock Road, and you are now headed for the Broadwater.

Here, you cross the Mann River, over low level bridges, two of them, to make your way to the expansive area of the Broadwater. This section of the Mann is as its name suggests, broad, and the banks along the shore are mainly rounded river rock. 

At the Broadwater you have access to some of the best water and is a great spot for swimming canoeing and fishing with the usual provisions for closed fishing seasons. Fishing for Australian bass is very popular, and we have a ‘catch and release’ policy. This river is completely closed to all forms of fishing for the breeding period of the eastern cod during the months of August, September and October. Penalties apply if you are caught, and the Fisheries do run patrols through here.

 

Old Glen Innes Road & the Historic Tunnel

Heading west out of South Grafton finds you on the Gwydir Highway. Travel about seven kilometres along until you reach the top of the hill and take the left hand turn onto the Old Glen Innes Road.

The Old Glen Innes Road was constructed using civilian labour during the 1800s and just one highlight is the short tunnel carved out of the rock a few kilometres west of Dalmorton. Scrawled upon its ceiling is graffiti dating from the 1880s, written in black paint, each figure finished with a curl so typical of the era.
Follow this good quality sealed road for 40 kilometres until it turns to gravel at the locality of Buccurumbi.

1n 1866/7 contractors blasted and hand hewed a tunnel through a large rock face near Dalmorton, but the road between Glen Innes and Grafton did not fully open until 1873. Locally the tunnel is referred to as the "convict tunnel" but this is not true, no convict labour was used in its construction.

The tunnel is only wide enough for a car and only small trucks can pass through.

 

Buccarumbi

Buccarumbi is where you cross the river on a low level bridge that sits beside the remains of its flood stricken predecessor at the picturesque junction of Nymboida and Boyd Rivers.

The current Buccarumbi bridge replaced a much bigger one which was built in 1875 and eventually destroyed by flood in 1946. The Old Glen Innes Road was once the main road between Grafton and the New England Tablelands before the Gwydir Highway was completed in 1960. Incredibly there were once two hotels at this location, one on either side of the river to cater for travellers when the river could not be crossed.

 

Dalmorton

Like many such towns, Dalmorton flourished during the gold rush fever of the 1850s and ‘60s. When the gold ran dry, people slowly decamped until the town became forlorn and forgotten. Once home to 3000 to 5000 people (by varying reports) and allegedly 13 pubs, 

Two of the best preserved buildings in Dalmorton is the butchers and the Police Cells/Lock Up that were attached to the Police Station and Court House. Mounted Police served Dalmorton from 1881 until 1961. The Police Station was burnt down in 1991.

At the rear of the old butchers shop has the remains of a cool room. Inside the shop the ceiling has hooks where meat must've once hung. I'm not sure when the last sausage was sold in the butchers shop but it was probably before World War 2 and definitely prior to 1961.

Another issue in Dalmorton is old age. This old garage is under severe attack by white ants and is destined to tumble down.

No-one lives in Dalmorton anymore and although people pass through all the time, vandalism is a real issue. Over the years a number of buildings have 'burnt down' or been smashed up.

 

Boyd River

Dalmorton is on the Boyd River, some still call it the Little River. There is a lovely National Parks camp ground next to the Boyd about 2-3kms from Dalmorton. The bridge that crosses the Boyd River and is the start (or end) of a well looked after dirt road that links Dalmorton to Tyringham and Ebor on the Grafton to Armidale Rd, it is called the Chaelundi Forest Road. 

 

Newton Boyd 

The old ‘town’ of Newton Boyd, where you will come across a war memorial which reveals that 30 of the town’s boys marched off to war and only one returned. The place is now all but deserted. Just a bridge, a house and a few pots of honey remain. The honey was sitting right by the memorial, for sale on an honesty policy. Just deposit your money and take a tub. 

 

Wellingrove Creek

The Gywdir Highway crosses Wellingrove Creek in the long vanished village of Matheson. The creek is a popular spot for fossickers searching for elusive New England sapphires.

 

Wytaliba Commune

Wytaliba is a multiple occupancy community (or M.O. as they are called) of 3,500 acres had been founded in 1978. There are roughly 100 adults and children 50km back down ‘the hill’, along the upper reaches of the Mann River. As a tradition of many, before entering the property when descending the range down in to the valley, to park your car once crossing a small dip in the road called Diehard Creek, people get out and wash your feet in the water. People just believed it was symbolic of washing all of the negativity from the town away, however most just entertained the idea and always washed their feet in the crystal clear water.

 

Mann River Nature Reserve

The Mann River Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is located on the eastern edge of the Great Dividing Range. For a nature getaway that’s bound to impress the whole family, the campground and picnic area features riverside camping in a beautiful bush setting. East of Glen Innes, it is an idyllic camping spot for a bush holiday or road trip pit stop. Pitch your tent or park the camper trailer by the majestic Mann River in the shade of the towering she-oaks. The surrounding bush is a haven for wildlife and you’re bound to see eastern greys, wallabies and perhaps even a wallaroo. Reptiles such as lace monitors, eastern water dragons and blue tongue lizards are often seen nearby. Enjoy a refreshing swim along the banks, and if you’re keen to explore don’t miss Tommys Rock lookout and walking track.

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Tommy’s Rock Lookout & Walking Track

For unending scenic wilderness views over The Great Dividing Range, head for Tommy’s Rock Lookout and walking track. The imposing rocky knob, a short drive from the Mann River campground and picnic area, is accessible by a short walk. However fit bushwalkers will love the challenge of the steep walking track to the summit. Whichever way you get there, the crisp mountain air and panoramic views will take your breath away.

Named after Tommy McPherson, a remarkable Aboriginal man who, legend suggests, was a skilled stockman, bushranger, escaped fugitive and gold digger. If you’re walking the steep track, pause to catch your breath and keep your eyes peeled for signs of Tommy’s secret gold mine.

 

Jacaranda Festival, Grafton

The longest running floral festival in Australia always starts on the last weekend in October, concluding on the first weekend in November. 
The festival starts with the crowning of the new queen in an open ceremony under the beautifully lit mauve canopy of jacaranda blooms.
Jacaranda Thursday has zany street theatre and madcap entertainment occupy the morning, and Market Square is the venue for the lunchtime and afternoon program of live entertainment.
The Venetian Carnival sees live performances on stage on the Clarence River is watched by hundreds of spectators along the riverbank in Memorial Park, with a big fireworks finale.
Jacaranda Saturday has the big TAFE Markets in the morning, and the grand parade commencing at 5pm, completing a circuit of the main street with a variety of colourful and entertaining floats on display. The evening concludes with Picnic in the Park, a family concert event in Market Square.

 

The Clarence Gorge

The Gorge had been in the Winters family for over 120 years (until sold in 2019). The property itself is 8,314 acres which fronts onto the Clarence River for 10km. Originally, and still today, a working cattle station, in more recent years has become a tourist destination for those seeking fresh mountain air with a gorgeous view.

The Gorge offers everyone something from the day tripper to campers, with beautiful mountains and the Clarence River. Please call (02) 6647 2173 for bookings or more information such as catch & release fishing, bush walking, yours, boating, canoeing, fantastic scenery (mountains, waterfalls, animals), camping, accommodation and country hospitality.

 

Wave Hill

Wave Hill Station is a beautiful 5,000 hectare working beef cattle property. Here you can experience the unique outback country life - a complete hideaway from the rest of the world yet only a leisurely 50 minutes drive from the Pacific Highway, Grafton and one and a half hours from the beautiful beaches of Northern NSW. Enjoy your Bass Fishing and/or horse riding experience a unique Australian adventure holiday. Please call (02) 6647 2145 for bookings.

 

Copmanhurst Pub: Rest Point Hotel

Copmanhurst Rest Point Hotel is located in a small town just outside of Grafton. The hotel provides a main bar, lounge, beer garden and a cabin as an accommodation option. Pop over and visit or give them a call on (02) 6647 3125 to make a booking.

Copmanhurst has many scenic drives in and around the town while exploring the countryside. 

 

Rogan Bridge

Local historian and third generation Mylneford resident Leone Roberts said the bridge and sealing of the road was a significant development for the area and established a crucial link between the residents of the upper Clarence and Grafton. Completed in 1960, the bridge replaced the Whiteman and Eatonsville ferries as the only nearby crossing of the river in the area. Mrs Roberts said the ferries were unreliable, and the ferrymen working them were sometimes even worse.

Mrs Roberts said the bridge’s construction, which began in 1959, was a joint venture between the Copmanhurst and Nymboida councils and was named after Herbie Rogan, a former member of the Nymboida council.

The bridge’s stout, low-sided design made it able to cope with being under fast-flowing water during floods.

 

Iron Lady - Bawdens Bridge

In 1874 Cobb and Co coaches ruled the gravel roads and bullock trains moved wool from Glen Innes to the Clarence River. Bawdens Bridge over the Orara River is one of the oldest iron bridges in Australia, and has seen and survived over 150 floods. It is at an altitude of approximately 15m.

Into the early 21st century she happily accommodates B-Double gravel trucks and Toorak tractors albeit on a single lane and at 30kms an hour.
Bawdens Bridge is only 15mins from Grafton at the start of the Old Glen Innes Road, which holds lots of unusual surprises.

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