The funding to create up to 10 heritage trails across the lower part of the Mid North Coast.

"The content of the trails will be the heritage of the region and quirky, interesting stories," organisers Janine Roberts and Penny Teerman said.

"It will be available on a web app that can be downloaded, so it's great for people who are visiting the area or people who live in the area."

Ms Roberts said it was important to preserve and pass on the region's little-known historical tales.

"We all talk about globalisation and we are losing that uniqueness of a region or a town," she said.

"Our stories try to capture that uniqueness and carry on the stories for the next generation.

"When you have stories you value what you see around you. You value the buildings that exist, you value the gardens, you value the culture that's been passed on through generations."

Something for everyone

The trails will be designed to appeal to different age groups.

"Firstly, we are looking at providing trails for different audiences — definitely a trail for children to do with their families, also for older people who might be visiting the region," Ms Roberts said.

Old buildings and landmarks in the Taree township, including the train station, will be part of the focus.

"The train station area is heritage-listed, so there's a lot of stories there, including tunnels that used to be under the train station and when the train station was opened in 1913," Ms Roberts said.

The Manning River and the iconic Martin Bridge will also be highlighted.

"When the Martin Bridge opened in 1940, all the shops in Taree closed so the town could walk across the bridge," Mr Roberts said.

"Newspapers said 6,000 people attended."

Taking in the surrounds

Other sites of interest have already been earmarked, including the historic areas of Tahlee and Carrington, on the northern side of Port Stephens near Karuah.

"Tahlee is the most historic site in the Mid Coast region — it was the base of the Australian Agricultural Company that still exists today and was started in 1826," Ms Roberts said.

"We have [the state heritage-listed] Tahlee House, we have convict-built lime kilns, wells, harbours and an observatory, all there.

"There's also a beautiful garden that surrounds Tahlee House and that garden was started in 1830."

Ms Roberts said nearby Carrington was also rich in heritage.

"Carrington has this beautiful old church built in the 1840s, and the Carrington cemetery must be one of the oldest European cemeteries in the region," she said.

Ms Roberts said they would work with local organisations to plan the trails.

"The grant needs to be completed in two years," Ms Roberts said.

"We will do the 10 walking trails in collaboration with the different historical societies, museums and schools in the region, so we really will be covering the whole of the Mid Coast region with these walks."

Story By | Emma Siossian