Odd + Quirky Facts about the Macleay Valley

1. The Captain Cook connection

Captain Cook named Smoky Cape in 1770 due to the smoke emitted by fires on the headland. The hills were an important meeting place for local indigenous tribes and the fires were likely to have been created from such a gathering.

2. Akubra

Kempsey has been home to Akubra since 1974. The town holds the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing Akubra hats (1,912 people in 2012). Read our article all about the iconic brand here. 

3. Natural Beauty

The Macleay Valley has over 100,000 hectares of National Parks, State Forests, wetlands and rainforest.

Yarrahapinni, Yarriabini National Park. The Pines Picnic Area Rainforest walking track

4. Slim Dusty

Australia’s King of Country, Slim Dusty was born in Nulla Nulla Creek in 1927. His childhood home, ‘Homewood’ is now heritage-listed.

Image of Slim Dusty at his childhood home by C John Elliott

5. Milo

Milo was first developed in Smithtown in 1934 and is still produced here. These days Milo can be found in 40 countries worldwide.

Founder of Milo, Tom Mayne on his 90th birthday. Image courtesy of Nestle

6. Courthouse

Kempsey’s National Heritage Courthouse was used for scenes in the movie, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith. The film was adapted from a book by renowned Aussie author Thomas Kenneally – who grew up in Kempsey.

Courthouse image by Kristy Forche-Baird