Fast facts
- Fishing port and service centre for the local farmlands
- Located inland on undulating terrain along the Clarence River
- 667 km north of Sydney, population 3,250
Why go there
Maclean calls itself The Scottish Town in Australia, and many street signs are written in Gaelic as well as English. Australia's oldest Free Presbyterian Church still holds services for the descendants of the early settlers, and there is a large Scottish cairn constructed from rocks from around Australia and Scotland in the Herb Stanford Memorial Park, overlooking the river in Taloumbi Street.
Maclean is also well known for its river fishing and its easy access to coastal national parks and holiday resorts.
History
The village was laid out in 1862, and many farmers of Scottish descent settled in the district. Several sugar mills were established shortly after that date; the mill at nearby Harwood is the oldest operating sugar mill in Australia. Fishing and farming are both important local industries.
Things to do
- Inspect the Bicentennial Museum, housed inside an historic cottage and furnished as it might have been in the 1880s. The adjacent folk museum has some fine examples of horse-drawn carriages.
- Admire the lookout's fine views, which extend as far as Yamba and Iluka on the coast.
- Try your luck fishing in the river. Take along a copy of the Clarence River Fishing Guide from the visitor information centre.
Events
- The Maclean Highland Gathering at Easter is the time when the town celebrates its Scottish heritage with pipe bands, solo piping and drumming, highland dancing and popular highland sports.
Don’t miss
- Boating on the Clarence River.
- The Angourie Walking Track in Yuraygir National Park.
- The coastal wonders of Bundjalung National Park.
- The heritage buildings at the town centre.
- The village of Brooms Head, surrounded by Yuraygir National Park.
