MANDALONG
COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION
INC

Welcome

Mandalong lies within the traditional country of the Awabakal people.

Mandalong is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘where the forest oaks grow’.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

About Mandalong

Mandalong is a small rural community located near the Watagan National Park and Lake Macquarie, the largest salt water lake in Australia. The area is situated between the popular tourist destinations of the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley.  Mandalong is conveniently close to the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway and the township of Morisset.

The area was settled by Europeans in 1852 or earlier. Early industries were farming and timber working.   (Source: “The Story of the Aboriginal People of the Central Coast of NSW” By F.C. Bennett).

Today Mandalong is a quiet rural area with a population of 433 (2021 census). Most of the rural properties range between 10 and 50 hectares, with traditional farmland on the valley floor and many properties in the environmentally protected ridges.

There are at least seven Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) in Mandalong which include Freshwater Wetlands and Paperbark Forests.  Information on Mandalong’s beautiful flora and fauna can be found here on our website.

The neighbouring suburb of Morisset has a commercial centre, industrial estate and railway station.  There are excellent facilities in the coastal strip of the Hunter and Central Coast regions.

The Mandalong Community Association has a proud history protecting the interests of the community.  The MCA has community representatives on the Centennial Mining Consultative Committee. The group organises social and informational events for local residents to keep the community informed. It also provides this website.

There is a diversity of community interests and activities in Mandalong including bush walking, environmental conservation, sustainable living, cycling and mountain bike riding, horse riding and breeding. There is also a strong art community in Mandalong represented by The Mandalong Aboriginal Gallery and the Yara Balba Art Studio.

If you are new to the area and you’d like to discover more about our community, please contact us.  You will find Mandalong is an interesting, friendly and welcoming community.

History

The history of Mandalong begins with the Awabakal people who were camping in the valley in the 1860’s when Europeans were beginning to settle the area. The valley was a change-over point for coaches travelling north and west.

There was a post office and a school built about this time and settlers farmed cattle and cut timber. The area was known for its hardwood and logging continued into the early seventies.

Now the Watagan forest is a state forest available to hikers, riders and bush lovers to enjoy. It abuts the Olney State Forest and both are managed by the Forestry Corporation of NSW. The Olney State Forest can be accessed from Tobins Road.

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