Manning River (Biripi: Boolumbahtee[1]), an open and trained mature wave dominated barrier estuary,[5] is located in the Northern Tablelands and Mid North Coast districts of New South Wales, Australia.

[6] Manning River rises below Mount Barrington, on the northeastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range within Barrington Tops National Park, east southeast of Ellerston, and flows generally southeast, joined by eleven tributaries including the Pigna Barney, Barnard, Nowendoc, Gloucester, Dawson, and Lansdowne rivers, descending 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) over its 261-kilometre (162 mi) course from the high upper reaches, through the Manning Valley, and out to sea.

Between Croki (in the north) and Cabbage Tree Island east of Bohnock (in the south), Scotts Creek links both the northern and southern passages of the river.

[11] In the same year it was declared that the Manning was the northern limit of the Nineteen Counties, defining the areas of New South Wales where settlers were free to occupy.

In 2008 a pod of bottle-nosed dolphins became stranded up stream from Wingham between Jackson and Abbotts Falls (visible from Brushy Cutting Lookout).

In March 2021, a record breaking low pressure trough brought intense rainfall to the Manning Valley catchment area,[12] inundating properties at Taree and Wingham.

[13] In September 2023 a pod of five bottle-nosed dolphins became entrapped in a fresh water section of the Manning River, again between Jackson and Abbotts Falls.

[16] Once captured, the final dolphin, who came to be known as Forest, was initially given medical clearance to travel to Sea World Foundation, QLD to be rehabilitated.

This event is being used to better understand Fresh Water Skin disease internationally, and to support better outcomes if this happens again in this stretch of the Manning River.

However, on 16 September 1994 a rare tropical Bryde's whale measuring 9-metre (30 ft) long, nicknamed "Free Willy" by locals, ventured much further up river to Taree.

"Willy" became stranded on a sandbar, and with the assistance of a specially designed inflatable Cetacean Rescue Device, floated and towed back out to sea and was last seen heading for deeper water to the east.

The tour pits an invitation only collection of notorious fishers, known for their extreme dedication to the twin arts of fishing and drinking.