The Manning River is a double delta river system with two openings. The main mouth of the river is at Harrington with the second opening located at Old Bar. It is one of Australia's few large river systems not to be dammed for water supply purposes anywhere along its catchment.
The lower part of the river has several channels dividing coastal land into large islands, such as Mitchells and Oxley Islands.
The Manning River and its tributaries have long been havens used by visitors, holiday makers, locals, oyster farmers, anglers and transportation during the early pioneering days.
There is an increasing number of public ramps, wharves, pontoons, riverside parks, commercial tourist destinations and towns and villages scattered along the river.
