Tinonee, New South Wales facts for kids

Tinonee is a small town located by the Manning River in New South Wales, Australia. It's close to the larger town of Taree on the beautiful Mid North Coast. Tinonee was started in 1854. Later, in the late 1980s, it became part of the Greater Taree City area. In 2006, about 734 people lived in Tinonee.

The town sits on a road that used to be the main route from Sydney to Brisbane. This road is now called Bucketts Way. Years ago, a special boat called a punt would carry people and goods across the Manning River between Tinonee and Taree Estate. Tinonee was once one of the first and most important trading places on the Manning River.

What Does "Tinonee" Mean?

The name Tinonee likely comes from the local Aboriginal Biripi people. They had words like "Tinobi," meaning "big shark," or "Tinobah," meaning "place of sharks."

Tinonee's Past: A Look Back

The Biripi people are the traditional owners of the land around Tinonee, Taree, and other nearby towns. They moved around their country with the seasons, finding food and trading with other groups. They used native plants for food and tools. Their knowledge was passed down through stories for many generations.

Aboriginal culture is the oldest living culture in the world. Indigenous people have lived in Australia for over 60,000 years. They lived in harmony with nature, taking care of the land and relying on it for their survival. When European settlers arrived, some of the Aboriginal customs and knowledge changed or were lost.

Tinonee was once a very busy river port. Many different businesses thrived here, like shipbuilding, farming, logging, and making brooms. Because of all this activity, Tinonee had many hotels and places for travelers to stay. Ships built in Tinonee would sail out to sea from Harrington and go to big ports like Sydney. Today, the Tinonee Historical Museum is being set up to share the town's interesting past.

Fun Things to See and Do

Tinonee has some unique places to visit!

• The old post office is now a lovely craft and flower shop. It also has a teahouse where you can enjoy a drink while looking out at the Manning River.
• The Terrace Cinema Museum is a very special place. It's the smallest cinema in Australia, with only 22 seats! This is even noted in the Guinness Book of World Records. It still uses old movie projectors and sometimes shows original slides.
• At the Deep Water Shark Gallery, you can see amazing Aboriginal artwork. This includes pieces made from wood, clay, and paint.
• Tinonee is also home to a llama visitors centre. Here, you can feed and even pat friendly llamas!

Just outside Tinonee, on the road to Wingham, is the Brushy Cutting Lookout. From here, you get amazing views of the whole Manning Valley. The Manning River at Tinonee is a popular spot for waterskiing and boating. Andrew's Reserve is a park across the river that you can reach from Taree.

Schools in Tinonee

Tinonee Public School is for both boys and girls, from Kindergarten to Grade 6. It's right next to the Manning River in the heart of the town. The school first opened on October 1, 1859. Mrs. Eliza Jane Baxter was the first teacher, and by the end of that year, 25 students were enrolled.

Churches in Tinonee

Tinonee has several churches located close to each other on a high point in town. These include St Luke's Anglican Church, John Knox Presbyterian Church, and a Uniting Church.

The current St Luke's Anglican Church was built in 1905. It replaced an older church from the 1860s. The church is on a hill overlooking the Manning River. In the 1980s, a hall was added, offering beautiful river views.

John Knox Presbyterian Church was built in 1880. Before the 1900s, services here were sometimes held in Gaelic.

The Tinonee cemetery is located between the town and Peg Leg Creek on the Bucketts Way.

Sports and Recreation

The Tinonee Eagles football team plays on the Tinonee Oval. Players range from young children to adults over 35. You can also play cricket and tennis at the oval.