Nabiac, Central Coast: Travel guide and things to do

Nabiac is a small country town located 22 km north-west of Forster-Tuncurry and 288 km north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway which now bypasses the town. Somehow Nabiac has managed to miss all the developments of the north coast. It wasn't until 1952 that it officially became a town on the Pacific Highway and not long after it was bypassed. Consequently it stands as a memento of what towns on the Mid North Coast were like. The charming old St Paul's Church of England, the public school which dates back to 1884, the old timber shops, the wealth of timber houses (some have been beautifully preserved and restored, others are falling down) make this small village a worthwhile stopover and a sharp contrast to the modern development which has occurred to all the seaside towns.

However, modernity isn't too far away. A few kilometres north of Nabiac is the Shandy Kennel Pet Motel - a motel in miniature for pets to take a holiday from their owners.

Nabiac was the birthplace, in 1938, of internationally famous Australian poet Les Murray who also went to school here.

The Nabiac Festival Weekend, featuring the Food 'n' Music Fest and Fair, is held each year in September.

Things to see

Nabiac Amish Country Barn
There isn't a great deal to do in Nabiac but a stroll along the main street is pleasant enough. If you park in the hotel car park, or turn off the highway into Nabiac St and park at the shopping plaza behind the hotel, you can wander down the road to the corner where you will find a little pedestrian bridge. Walk across it and you will see an old-style buggy out the front of the Nabiac Amish Country Barn, a modest but interesting craft shop cum eatery owned by Australia's only Amish Mennonite family. There are some lovely hand-made wooden toys on the premises. Promenade about the attractive streetscape.

Horseriding and Possum Brush Gallery
Eureka Trails offers horse rides about the area. They are located in Minimbah Rd, the second road to the left south of the Nabiac bridge, tel: (02) 6554 1281. 'Minimbah' was the name that was initially to be given to Forster.

Clarendon Forest Retreat offer horseriding in the Kiwirrak Forest. They are located at Possum Brush. Possum Brush Rd heads west off the highway 8 km north of Nabiac. Just follow the signs from there, tel: (02) 6554 3085.

Also on Possum Brush Rd is Possum Brush Gallery which is open Thursday to Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and daily during school holidays, tel: (02) 6554 3158.

P.J.'s Wood Works
P.J.'s Wood Works sell a large range of toys, rocking horses, doll houses, clocks and crafts which are handmade in pine and local hardwoods. There is also jewellery and handcrafts. To get there follow the road west of Nabiac towards Dyers Crossing and Gloucester and turn right into Wrights Lane, tel: (02) 6550 2345.