The Manning River is one of New South Wales' most significant and diverse fisheries, originating at 1,570 metres above sea level in the Gondwana World Heritage Area of the Barrington Tops and flowing 261 kilometres to the Tasman Sea on the mid-north coast of NSW. The river's catchment covers approximately 8,420 square kilometres with 16 major tributaries, making it a substantial and productive waterway. One of the Manning's most distinctive geographic features is its double delta near Taree — the only one in the southern hemisphere — where the river splits into two separate entrances: Harrington Inlet to the north and Farquhar Inlet to the south. This unique geography creates a rich variety of habitats, from mountain headwaters to tidal estuaries, supporting at least 25 recorded freshwater fish species and making the Manning a genuinely world-class recreational fishery.