Escape the pressures of everyday living and enjoy the seclusion and privacy of one of our rustic country cottages. Relax in your private spa pool, pamper yourself with a massage in the comfort of your cottage, play a game of tennis, take a walk along 10km of white sandy beach or just sit on the dunes and read a book.
Catering primarily to couples wanting to relax and unwind in privacy, the three cottages are set well apart in native bushland with modern individual self contained facilities providing guests with a perfect romantic hideaway or home away from home.
Although the cool sea breezes blow in summer and the wood fire glows warm in winter, all cottages are air conditioned to guarantee your comfort at all times.

Melaleuca Retreat is part of a 100 acre beach front property which is being progressively returned to coastal rain forest. Thousands of native trees have been planted in recent years to regenerate the forest environment surrounding the original wetland areas.
The property has an 800 metre frontage to the sand dunes behind the beach which extends for 4km to the north and 6 km to the south. Easy access to the beach from the top of the dunes is provided via an observation platform and stairs
For those who like swimming, a heated 12 metre pool is located close to the cottages.
Close by the pool is a full sized tennis court and with only three cottages to share it, it should always be available when you feel like a game.
Numerous tracks and trails meander across 100 acres of bush and wetland with various types of bird life seen in the trees, soaring overhead or patrolling the wetlands.
From the observation platform located on the top of the sand dunes many types of sea birds can be seen in addition to frequent sightings of dolphins and occasionally sightings of whales.

Melaleuca Retreat is located on the coast just east of Taree near Manning Point.Both Melaleuca Retreat and Manning Point are situated on Mitchells Island which lies between the two arms of the Manning River north of Old Bar Beach.
If fishing is your passion the Manning River offers a great opportunity to catch a big one since commercial fishing has been banned for some time.

For those with their own boat, the boat ramp provides easy access to the Manning River, with around 150km of navigable waterways as well as access through the bar to the Tasman. Directly across the river is Harrington with clubs, restaurants, shops and cafes.

For those who want to take to the water but don’t own their own boat, the Manning Point Marina has hire boats and kayaks for fishing, boating or to nip across to Harrington for lunch. A water taxi service is also available at the marina.

Manning Valley River Cruises also operates from the marina providing a variety of day and evening cruises on the river.

4WD access to the beach is available at the Manning Point Reserve and permits are available from the General Store.

Mitchells Island is the centre of the oyster industry on the Manning, and fresh oysters and seafood are always available unless the river has been closed.

The commercial centre for the Manning Valley is Taree and is only 25 mins away from the retreat. Taree is quite a large town with several shopping malls and specialty stores in addition to all the companies and organizations to support the 45,000+ population of the valley.

Further up the valley are many smaller towns, historical sites and National Parks climbing up into the surrounding forests and farmland with many craft stores and cafes.

Only a short drive north, many boutique vineyards and wineries can be found providing regular wine tasting and public sales.

On the way back from Taree, there are a number of State Forests and tourist areas around Old Bar Beach and Saltwater Lagoon.

Manning Valley Tourist Association

24 hour reception, Accept MasterCard, Accept VISA, Air conditioning, Baby Cot, BBQ, BBQ - Gas, Boat Hire, Boat Ramp Nearby, Breakfast provisions available for self-cooking, Cable/Satellite TV, CD Player, Continental breakfast provisions available, Courtesy vehicle, DVD, Ensuite, Fans, Faxing Facilities, Heated Spa (not spa bath), Internet access, Kitchen, Lake nearby, Laundry facilities, Linen supplied, Log fires, Massage, Masseur, No smoking, Pets Welcome Indoors, Pets Welcome Outdoors, Pool, Spa Bath, Tea/Coffee Making Facilities, Telephone, Television, Tennis courts, Undercover or off street parking, VCR, Wheelchair accessible facilities

Three cottages are available: Bluegum, Banksia and Paperbark. All three are constructed from western red cedar and have red iron roofs to create the atmosphere of a country cabin. Each cottage is full self contained and has a large timber deck with gas BBQ and large spa pool on which to relax in almost total privacy.

Bluegum Cottage has one bedroom with queen sized bed and sofabed in the living area where the cosy wood fire is located.

Banksia Cottage also has one bedroom with queen sized bed and sofabed in the living area with wood fire the same as Bluegum. It is also setup for disabled access and rails in the bathroom.

Paperbark Cottage has a different layout to the other two cottages and has two bedrooms with double bed in each. A futon lounge in the living area provides additional sleeping accommodation if required.

Fluffy bathrobes are supplied in all cottages as well as all towels, linen, blankets and pillows.