Hey kids! Join our fun school holiday program at libraries, with indoor activities for rainy days.
Details at library.midcoast.nsw.gov.au
With whale numbers booming in recent years, our pristine coastline is the perfect place to watch the parade. They’ll be heading north to give birth in warmer waters until late July, and then returning with their calves from August to early November.
Welcome blue sky days, and a wonderful winter playground that will leave you spoilt for choice.
Staying active here in winter is easy, and as a community who love our team sports, the competition fires up each weekend at more than 40 sports grounds across the region. Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, make sure to check for field closures on our website (search “sports field”).
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds head east and enjoy our beaches and coastal reserves, which aren’t quite as busy at this time of year. And for snow-seekers, if you time it just right, you may be lucky enough to play among a dusting of snow at Barrington Tops, the highest point on the Australian mainland outside the Snowy Mountains.
We hope this season’s edition provides plenty of inspiration to stay active and make the most of the cooler winter months.
Check out the Top 10 spots for whale watching
Our region is famous for its waterways, so when the temperatures start to plummet we switch our swimmers and sunscreen, for backpacks and hiking boots.
Winter walks and waterfalls are a great way to enjoy the great outdoors during the cooler weather. And did you know we have one of the Top 10 waterfalls in Australia right here in the Barrington Coast. At 200m, Ellenborough Falls is one of the tallest single drop waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere.
Located about an hour’s drive from Taree at Elands, Ellenborough Falls offers mesmerising views from several vantage points, including viewing platforms at the top. If you’re prepared
to put in a more strenuous effort, take the 641 steps to the base of the falls, with rest stops along the way that you’ll appreciate on the way back up.
In our high altitude national parks of Coorabakh, Tapin Tops and Barrington Tops you’ll discover more discreet falls and cascades in many hidden ravines and secret gullies. A few of these gentle waterfalls like Waitui and Gloucester Falls, are readily reached on walking tracks, some with observation points and picnic areas or even camping areas.
Scan the code for more information about Barrington Coast’s coolest cascades, and start creating your waterfall wish list today.
Does sorting waste matter?
What happens to items in your yellow bin — are they really recycled into new materials?
We partner with Visy, Australia’s largest recycling company, to give your waste a second life. Visy turns recycled glass into over three billion new bottles and jars each year and is one of only four facilities worldwide that can turn used plastic bottles into food-grade plastic.
Is your bin night done right? Our latest quiz will put you through your paces when it comes to placing the right things in the right bin.
1. Which of these glass items belong in the yellow bin?
☐ Wine bottle ☐ Wine glass
☐ Cracked mirror ☐ Jam jar
2. Only one of these items goes in your red bin – which one?
☐ Retailer catalogue
☐ Takeaway coffee cup
☐ Greasy pizza box ☐ Cereal box
3. Which of these things CANNOT be placed in any kerbside bin?
☐ Vapes ☐ AAA batteries
☐ Old chemicals ☐ Fluoro light globe
But recycling only works if you sort your waste correctly. The wrong items in the yellow bin slow the process and reduce the quality of recycled materials. And anything recyclable in the red bin ends up in landfill—wasted forever.
Unsure about an item? Search it up at recyclemate.com.au
Scan to find out more about what happens with your kerbside recycling.
4. Not all plastic is recyclable – which two of these plastic products CANNOT be placed in your yellow lidded recycling bin?
☐ Tomato punnet
☐ Plastic toy ☐ Washing basket
☐ Plastic milk bottle
5. Which of these metal items can be recycled via your yellow bin?
☐ Foil trays ☐ Aerosol cans
Dog food tins ☐ Empty gas bottle
Leaving loved ones to second-guess your wishes can be stressful – like whether you’ll be buried or cremated, what you’ll wear, and what songs will be played for your final farewell. Love, like or loathe them, here are some of the most popular tunes played at funerals in recent times:
Dying to Know Day is held on 8 August each year and encourages us to talk about planning for a good death, just like we plan for a good life.
For more information, support and advice, contact our Cemeteries Team on 7955 7016 or cemeteries@midcoast. nsw.gov.au
We’ve developed an End of Life Guide to help you share your ideas and wishes (including “your song”). It also provides a place to record practical information your loved ones will need when you die, such as where to find important documents and which services or subscriptions need to be cancelled.
Grab your free guide
To claim your free guide, tell us what song you’d like played at your final send-off, and your postal address for delivery. Email marketing@ midcoast.nsw.gov.au Planning ahead is a simple part of
The MidCoast is home to vital koala populations. Help protect them by reporting every koala you see while out and about this winter.
The best time to spot koalas is early morning and late afternoon when they’re most active Poo around the base of a tree could be a signthereare koalas above
Did you know? Koalas sleep for around 20 hours a day.
Koalas can poo up to 200 times every day, so there are plenty of poo-clues to find
Koala poos look a bit like olives (butwedo comparingrecommendnot the taste!)
Find out more about our Koala Safe Spaces program, and to register your koala sighting.
If you live on a property where large trees can be planted, claim up to 30 free trees as part of our National Tree Day celebrations.
WHERE Gloucester markets, Billabong Park – look for our stall
WHEN Saturday 9 August during market hours
By planting koala feed trees, you’ll be helping to meet the healthy appetites of local koalas, who can eat up to 800 eucalyptus leaves each day.
What’s even better than staying up-to-date on what’s happening, what’s new and what’s on across the region? Winning a $100 ShopMidCoast gift card!
To enter the draw, subscribe to News Wrap, our weekly email newsletter by completing the official entry form between 1 July and 10 August 2025. You can do this either:
With over 10,000km2 to cover, delivering your everyday services like roadworks, water, and bin collections, can sometimes be challenging.
That’s why we need your input, to tell us about the things in your neighbourhood we may not already know about.
• Online at midcoast.nsw.gov.au/ LGW, or
• In person at one of customer service points or libraries
Entries close 10 August. Winners announced 29 August. For full T&Cs visit midcoast.nsw.gov.au/LGW
When something needs to be addressed, tell us about it using our online Report & Request form.
• Reach the right team, faster
• Report any time of the day
• Track it to completion
midcoast.nsw.gov.au/TellUs
