GLOUCESTER has been recognised as an outstanding tourist destination. On 27 May, NSW Tourism Association announced the winners of the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards and Gloucester was awarded Silver in the small tourism town category. The small town category is for towns with a population of between 1,500 and 5,000. The 2026 awards […]
Special year for Stroud’s brick and rolling pin competition
IT’S time to start practising for the 2026 Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Competition. This unique celebration of the town’s heritage and community spirit will be held at the Stroud Showground on 11 July. Started by the brick-making towns of Stroud in the US and UK in 1961, the competition spread to Canada and […]
An endangered Manning River Turtle being released into the Barrington River by Aussie Ark in February. Photo: Aussie Ark.
Turtles, fish bounce back after devastating Mid North Coast floods
NEW research indicates Manning River turtles are being recorded at pre-flood numbers, 12 months after one of the region’s worst floods on record. Gloucester and its nearby waterways were battered in the floods of May 2025, with serious concerns held about the long-term effects on fish and animals living in the rivers, particularly on the […]
Crash fears realised at Bucketts Way-Pacific Highway intersection
A SERIOUS accident on Friday 15 May has brought safety issues at the Bucketts Way/Pacific Highway intersection into sharp focus once more. In April, News Of The Area reported on the strong concerns held by former Roads and Traffic Authority senior engineer Gordon Chirgwin about the dangerous state of the intersection. “I believe that the […]
Sydney Writer’s Festival ‘Live and Local’
THE Sydney Writers’ Festival is a celebration of books, writing, and ideas that sparks conversation across Australia. Through the Live and Local program, the festival reaches far beyond Sydney. It invites communities to experience the diverse program in libraries and community centres, offering regional Australia the opportunity to hear new ideas, stories and voices. Since […]
Thunderbolts riders battle mud and mountains in gruelling 173km epic
Olivia Gollan and Margaret Hemsley celebrate finishing the Women’s Monument in equal 3rd place. Photo: Outer Limit Collective Lone Rider making good progress on Barrington Tops Forest Rd. Photo: Outer Limit Collective. The numerous creek crossings along the course challenge both the body and the bike. Photo: Outer Limit Collective. WHILE the Anzac Day weekend […]
Gloucester honours ‘ordinary’ Australians on Anzac Day
Warrant Officer Mark Cooper and Gloucester RSL sub-Branch Honorary Secretary John Salter. Cadets Aidan Blanchard, Bohdi Ashby, Isaac McKay and Flynn Pryor. Singer Jess Coombes, cadets and the Catafalque Party guard. PRE-DAWN on Anzac Day saw around 200 Gloucester residents and visitors gather in the gloom before the Memorial Park clock tower to pay their […]
The Spirit of Nature on exhibition at the Gloucester Gallery
Work by Meg Tulk. Photo: supplied. Work by John Andrews. Photo: supplied. LOCAL artists John Andrews and Meg Tulk are bringing their exhibition, “The Spirit of Nature”, to the Gloucester Gallery, where it will be on show from 22 April. The Spirit of Nature is the pair’s second joint exhibition in the Gloucester Gallery. Andrews […]
Imagination comes alive in ‘Kids’ Drama’ debut
THE depth of young acting talent in Gloucester was showcased when the Arts Gloucester Kids’ Drama class performed their first play before an appreciative audience at the CITZ. Arts Gloucester has been running drama classes for Primary students since 2025, beginning with eight children from year 3 to year 5. Success breeds success, and 2026 […]
Council backs major events to showcase region
MIDCOAST Council has announced economic support for a range of major sporting championships and conferences set to bring visitors to the region and deliver flow-on benefits for local businesses. Through targeted event sponsorship, Council will support – U14 Hockey State Championships, 10-12 April at Taree Hockey Complex – CWA State Conference, 3-7 May at Club […]
