Friday 29th January 2021
We woke up, after a good night sleep, to the sound of rain falling.
We decided to go and have a look at the coastline just South East of Coopernook.
Croki Village
A small town on Jones Island, on the Manning River. A land grant given to Mr Onslow in 1828. First farmed by Mr Crofton in 1848. First bakery established in 1860. It was a major service centre for many surrounding farms.
Croki Wharf
A butter factory opened in Mitchell’s Island across the river from Croki. Cream boats transported produce from the Dairy farms to the butter factory from 1893.
1950s saw river trade replaced by road and rail, leaving the wharf for recreational use.
Harrington
Harrington Breakwall
Harrington has a very long breakwall. It’s was built in 1894 to protect the entry channel. It spans 2km upstream and 1km seaward. It took 33 years to build.
Pilot hill
Also in Harrington is Pilot Hill. Harrington acted as the gateway to the Manning valley. The Manning was however the most treacherous waters in Northern NSW.
There was however prolific stands of red cedar along the riverbank and the lure of big money had cedar merchants overcome their reluctance to cross the bar.
1856 saw the introduction of a Pilot station and Manning heads. By this time there had already been 10 ships wrecked on the bar since 1824. Over 50 ships are known to have foundered at the site.
Crowdy Heads
Crowdy Head lighthouse became operational to take over the beacon on Pilot hill, in 1879.
Captain James Cook sailed past 11th May 1770.
Crowds Head was thought to be named after a crew member Charles Crowdy, on the Investigator, of which Matthew Flinders explored the coast.
Club Harrington
We went to have lunch back at Club Harrington before heading to our van site at Coopernook State Forest.
The rest of the afternoon was spent playing around the camp and enjoying ourselves.
We are lucky to have toilet facilities here but I tell you what…I have never seen so many mosquitoes come out of a drop toilet before.
Tomorrow we are hoping to get out and do a loop around Coorabarkh National Park. If weather permits. There are some beautiful viewing platforms so it’s worth a drive if it’s a little clearer.
Signing off for today.
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