News
What's on in and around Kiwarrak and the Manning Valley
New colours at Kiwarrak
The Arbour and Bower cottages at Kiwarrak Country Retreat have had a much needed face lift with new exterior paint! Woodland Grey and crisp White have transformed the cottages to a modern, contemporary and fresh look. We’re always looking for new ways to update, improve and add appeal to our cottages while also maintaining our mantra of upstyling and repurposing. There is now a cohesive colour scheme across the property. We love it, and we hope you will too! The Arbour has charming and cute...
Bees wax wraps workshop
Create your own beeswax wraps, the perfect replacement for cling wrap for lunches and fridge coverings. Learn how to make your own using anti bacterial raw beeswax on the lovely grounds of Kiwarrak Country Retreat. All proceeds will be donated to charity, and you go home with three beautiful and useful wraps. Afternoon tea and a glass of bubbly are also included. We will provide some material, however if you have a special garment or some leftover cotton/mix material you would like to use, please...
Birdwatching on the Mid-North Coast
Birdwatching on the mid-north coast is a popular pastime. With 10 acres of bushlands and gardens, we are fortunate at Kiwarrak Country Retreat to see birds every day. We all recognise the Kookaburra, the Magpie and the beautiful Satin Bowerbird, who makes his superb bower in various gardens that surround the cottages. In fact, the resident bowerbirds inspired our romantic cottage of the same name. We have been lucky enough to have several bird watchers stay in the guest cottages. They have compiled a list...
Manning Valley Boutique Wineries
There’s no need to travel to the Hunter Valley with so many boutique wineries in the local Manning Valley area. Make a day of it and visit a few, taking in the beautiful green countryside along the way. Ghinni Ghinni Wines in Ghinni Ghinni is a popular choice, and with the beautiful Other Side Art Cafe by the river, you can make a day of it! The picturesque Great Lakes Winery at Wootton has regular live music events, perfect for a family day out. Bring a...
Things to do in the Manning Valley
The Manning Valley offers something for everyone. Explore the beautiful local beaches of Old Bar, Wallabi Point and Saltwater or venture further afield to Black Head, Diamond Head or north to Harrington. Hire a kayak and paddle down the expansive Manning River or for a more laid back option, take a River Cruise. Manning Point is well known as an excellent fishing spot, and Old Bar is renowned for kite boarding. The natural ecosystem is home to a variety of bird species, perfect for bird...
Kite boarding on Old Bar Beach
As temperatures soared last weekend on the mid north coast, we took the opportunity to head to Old Bar Beach for a few hours. Luckily for us, the conditions were perfect for kite boarding so between dips in the ocean and building sand castles, we were provided with front row seats to some top entertainment as the boarders hit the waves… and took to the sky! If you haven’t seen kite boarding first hand, check out our photos below. It is an adrenaline pumping sport, a combination...
Ocean Rhythms Music Festival Old Bar
The inaugural Ocean Rhythms Music Festival is being held in our beach side town of Old Bar on March 12th! Come along for a wonderful family day of great music by the sea, with headlining acts Kim Churchill and Christine Anu, supported by great local talent such as Alyce Gray and Harry’s Lookout. Tickets are just $20 for adults and children under 16 years are free. At time of writing, Kiwarrak Country Retreat still has accommodation available, so why not make the weekend of it and explore more of what the beautiful...
Discovering the bird tree
When we have a day off, it is always a pleasure to explore our beautiful area, the Manning Valley. Our most recent discovery has been the Bird Tree in Middle Brother National Park (entry is free). It is located just to the west of the highway and John’s River. The Bird Tree is the largest blackbutt tree in NSW and is spectacular to see. We enjoyed some of the leisurely bushwalks around the area and didn’t see another person. This goes to show just how much potential...
Birdlife flourishes at Cattai Wetlands in the Manning Valley
With the recent much needed wet weather we’ve experienced, the birds and wildlife have been seen in abundance here at Kiwarrak Country Retreat. White Necked Herons and gorgeous little crakes have been dipping in and out of the dams, which are full of blooming blue water lilies. I spied an Azure Kingfisher perched on a branch and lots of parrots in the trees. The Red Necked Wallabies are happy to see the green grass and so are the Hares and the Swamp Hens. For wetlands...
Best Romantic Spa Getaway on the Mid North Coast?
Recently I was looking for romantic accommodation within an hour from Old Bar on the mid north coast of NSW. Something similar to our romantic cottage The Bower; cosy feel, outdoor spa a definite bonus to add that feel of luxury, dinner and breakfast options perhaps, and within easy distance to a village or town with decent restaurants for my husband and I to celebrate our anniversary. It was really hard to find! In fact, I didn’t find what I was looking for. Which made me think, how would locals find...
