Bellingen is located on the Waterfall Way and the best way to head to start a full day of exploring would be west towards Armidale. Heres our 27 things to do in Bellingen you need to know about which surrounds a whopping five national parks. Photographers come for sunrise, but not fancying another early start we opted for sunset - as well as visiting during the day - and both times were beautiful. Im not sure if anyone comes to Dorrigo and doesnt visit the Skywalk Lookout. I defy anyone to round the corner and catch their first glimpse of Red Cedar Falls and not let out a wow! Wed recommend it even to people who dont usually do much walking, as long as there are no issues with the path not being manicured. Theres two variations to this hike so if you really are stuck for time, you can take the shorter hike. They are currently open every day but Sunday. The city center is close by, about 5 minutes' walk away. The best accommodation options are in Armidale, Dorrigo and Bellingen, with slim pickings inbetween. Take the side trip to Skywalk Lookout for views over the area. Its a pretty, 15 minute drive from the centre of town and the moment you see that water for the first time its almost impossible not to let out a wow. Did you know Urunga Beach is just a 15 minute drive from Bellingen? Walk My World provides highly detailed guides for those who love to explore independently and seek out hidden gems. The interior has a fantastic eclectic vibe that suits the town perfectly. The signpost says the walk to the bottom of the falls is 20 minutes, but you could do it in less than half that time, and it isnt much of a climb on the way back up either. The community markets are on the 3rd Saturday of every month and sell a mix of food and local crafts - think soap, essential oil, candles, jewellery and clothes. You will need a car shuffle or a taxi ride as this is a one way walk, although it can be walked in either direction. Whatever you do, do not miss out on this walking track in Dorrigo National Park. White water rafting on Nymboida River. The most popular end is South Valla Beach which you can park right beside. Its absolutely beautiful, electric blue yet crystal clear all at once. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 39 min to complete. The walk has some elevation gain and sections of track which are quite slippery and rough. If you get a completely clear sky you will be able to see all the way to the coast. There are no facilities whatsoever at the Promised Land, so please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep this area beautiful for generations to come. We take one last swim with the locals at our favourite swimming hole in the Promised Land, before heading home. Theres plenty to do in the area; from looking out for turtles at Muttonbird Island, to kayaking along the emerald creek, saying hello to the local kangaroos at Look At Me Now Headland and keeping an eye out for koalas at the botanic garden. This is an iconic boardwalk you really have to see for yourself. The centre is open every day from 9am until 4:30pm (except Christmas Day) and is a must-do stop on the journey of Waterfall Way. It didnt disappoint, not only have they got lots of delicious flavours to choose from, but the little courtyard with tropical plants offers the perfect shady spot to enjoy them. Turns out it has to rain A LOT to see this. But the beauty of this incredible canyon is the pure silence. When I was a a child, trigonometric (trig) stations were essential for mapping and navigation. There is dense forest, mountains and huge rocky outcrops as far as the eye can see. Although there are more amazing falls like Dangars and Apsley beyond Armidale, it would be too far on a day trip from Bellingen. Towards the end of our walk, we stop at Lardner Lookout to admire the view across the Bellinger valley, before descending to Hill Street and a cafe in Bellingen. We're Cat Smith and Joe Bird, two travel fanatics from the U.K. We both caught the travel bug on solo trips in 2003 and have been hopelessly addicted ever since. This is mainly because its a great introduction to the Waterfall Way and we preferred to finish the trip by driving down the Pacific Highway back along the coast. Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. What more could you ask for? Every time we come to Bellingen, we have to visit both Cargo Lane and Hammond & Wheatley Emporium for sure. Here, the Canopy Cafe, run by Wolfgang Zichy and his wife Catherine McDonald, is yet another foodie find, serving up an interesting menu that includes all day breakfast and weekly specials concocted from the Bellofoodbox, a community initiative which distributes local, seasonal produce within 160 kilometres of Bellingen. Youll be given a wine menu and allowed to choose any six that take your fancy, or you can do what I did and say the kind of wine you normally drink and then theyll bring you various options they think you might like. Were about to introduce you to some cracking waterfalls and National Parks which need to be on your radar. If time is in your favour, Bellingen has plenty more things to do that we detail in this post. Its big, its deep and its very easy to access. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Just 15km further is Bakers Creek Falls, you view it from a bit of a distance but the setting is outstanding. It's a hot and sticky morning on market day, so afterwards we head for the hills the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo rainforest one of the top 10 most visited parks in NSW and one of the highlights of the Waterfall Way, a scenic route that runs from New England to Coffs Harbour. Walking on a misty day, when the low hanging cloud drifted into the forest turned out to be one of the greatest days we've had in Australia. Walking Bellingen Shire Forest, Lookout, Cafe Grade 3 One way 8.7 km 3 hours 300m 310 m Tarkeeth State Forest Start location: 74 Mount St, Fernmount NSW 2454, Australia Before you go - tips to stay safe Fernmount to Bellingen You will need a car shuffle or a taxi ride as this is a one way walk, although it can be walked in either direction. Green River Overlook. If you take this route youll have to walk 3km back along the beach to your car, but its compact sand, so very easy to walk on. Bellingen is so beautiful, we recommend walking over to the Lavender Bridge to spend a lazy afternoon swimming in the river which is crystal clear. Bellingen lookout. These forests remain culturally important to the Gumbaynggirr as a store of bush tucker and bush medicines, to find resources to make tools, and containing sacred sites. Weve hiked all over the world and this one totally blew us away that we wrote all about it below. Now global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and continuously operating reference station (CORS) networks have largely replaced trig stations over the last couple of decades. This short circuit wheelchair-accessible walk in Dorrigo National Park is a great spot to hear and see some of the 150 bird species in the park. Now we dont like to speak ill of anywhere but we stayed in several places in Dorrigo and lets just say we arent including them here. Hammond & Wheatley Emporium. Walks & Lookouts of Bellingen Free, no car required and good for you. 2 hour round trip walk from the Treehouse. Link. I couldnt find. Looking for things to do in Bellingen in the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales? All Rights Reserved. The final stretch is a steep few steps up to the summit, with a chain to help you with the gradient. We recommend walking along the path from the upper falls because at the moment the best views are located there, rather than beside the old viewing platform. Getting there Almost halfway between Sydney (5.5 hours' drive north) and Brisbane (five hours' drive. Guardian article (July 2020) on Bellingen: Bellingen Provodore (Groceries, take-away food and alcohol) (7 am to 8 pm): 2 Lyon Street, Bellingen NSW 2454: Google Maps: Restaurant: (casual and formal) Qudo (Japanese): Swimming hole: Promised Land/Glennifer: Google Maps: Winery and restaurant (formal): Raleigh Winery: Just cruise the main street, both sides, from the Post Office in the east to the NAB Branch in the west. Its one of our favourite parts of the state, and you can spend anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks exploring this stunning area. You'll pass through the grasslands of Killungoondie Plain, which the Gunbaynggirr People once kept clear for hunting and camping by using spot fires. Easily accessible, anyone can enjoy the panoramic views of the Rosewood rainforest basin. You can read more details on the track in our Eagles Nest guide. We spent a couple of weeks in the area, uncovering all the top spots and hidden gems to help you plan the perfect trip. Our next pick is Valla Beach, which is another beauty, just 25 minutes from Bellingen. privacy policy. An undulating forest trail along the ridgeline with lovely views over the Bellinger valley. The city hosts the annual Jacaranda Festival and boasts a fine regional art gallery. Note that while we don't usually have directional FKTs on point-to-point routes, the history and large elevation difference between endpoints makes that a logical choice for this particular route. Go wine tasting with a view Most people visit the award winning Raleigh Winery for its fabulous restaurant with a terrace overlooking the vines and river. Location. We think its even better than Byron because theres nowhere else in Australia that we can think of that has mind blowing National Parks in a world heritage rainforest with beautiful beaches on its doorstep, combined with local artists in a gorgeous little bohemian town. Freedom as you dash into the waves. . Its an affordable option run by the beautiful Amanda. The setting is truly awe-inspiring as it tumbles down a huge cliff deep in the ancient rainforest. Waterfall Way. We were lucky to visit in Autumn which really made the town come alive with every street filled with colour. Its one of our favourite beaches in all of NSW, and we all know how many amazing beaches there are here! Constructed from local timber and salvaged materials, its full of hanging plants, cool artwork and atmospheric lighting. Tripologist: Can we explore the Bordeaux region by train? If you only want to take a quick look you can view the falls from the lookout right beside the car park, but heading down the quick and easy walking trail will give you better views. When she needs to go faster, she rides a Red Beemer (F700GS). You will have a pretty big hill to climb up afterwards, but trust us, its worth it! I will never forget the experience of wandering through the ancient Gondwana rainforest, past hanging vines, gnarled roots and towering Blackbutt trees, all to the backdrop of the eerie Catbird calls. Go on a road trip from Bellingen to Armidale along Waterfall Way, 18. Shes the most gorgeous welcoming person who will definitely be a highlight of your entire trip. The colourful monthly markets are also well worth a visit. I noticed as I left they also had a custard one which is my fave, so Ill have to head back to try it one day! Posted: Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Primarily because it is one of the longest Point to Point trail runs in the area, and also because of the iconic start/finish location at Point Lookout, which is the highest prominent point in the geographic area. They fly out en-masse from their home on Bellingen Island every evening at dusk. Now trigs are the forgotten technology of the last century. Head down the river and enjoy the beautiful green scenery and aquatic life of Bellingen and its surrounds. A paved walkway will take you to a glow worm colony that lives on an overhang behind the waterfall. The Promised Land is about as magical as it gets. Essentially what Im trying to say is, come at any time of day and you wont be disappointed! Book ahead for this one but we loved it here. This is a short and sweet stroll behind the beautiful town of Bellingen leaving from Garrett Park and following an undulating trail through an open green space before heading back via Short Street Lane. Whether you love wild swimming, catapulting off a rope swing or just having a picnic in a spectacular setting, the Promised Land will be for you. If you want a more guilt free treat they also have sorbet. Leaving from the beginning of Scotchman Range Road on the edge of Bellingen, this is a gorgeous run along the top of the Scotchman Range via Hospital Range Road and Horseshoe Road, bringing you first to the spectacularMt Killiekrankie lookout, then onto the even more spectacular Point Lookout, one of the highest points and best views in the region. After buying a one way ticket to Istanbul we spent a year making our way through Asia before arriving in Australia, where we have been living ever since. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. They are closed Mondays and otherwise open between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. The majority is fairly easy (providing the rock is dry and therefore grippy), but the very last bit is steeper and there is a fixed chain to help. 2 hour round trip walk from the Treehouse. Then back down the hill and you're done, literally and figuratively :), Keelan Birch From here its more like boulder hopping, which makes for a fun challenge. Wander down Hyde Street, the main street in the town of Bellingen and pop into the legendary Hammond & Wheatley Emporium store. Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! The picturesque township of Murwillumbah is located at the heart of the lush Tweed Valley on the banks of the Tweed River on NSW's far north coast. Its a bit of a drive but its definitely worth it if you love hiking or watching the sunset, or preferably both! We used to talk about travelling the world together, and in 2012 we finally made that happen. Just a 30 minute drive from Wollomombi Gorge is the beautiful town of Armidale. They also do full moon & champagne canoe tours too! The Old Butter Factory is open 7 days a week but individual shops may have different opening times, so if one in particular takes your fancy it is best to check timings directly with them. Weve combined the two friendly rival towns of Bellingen & Dorrigo as well as the incredibly awesome Waterfall Way road which takes you right to Armidale in NSW in this post. This stunning church is a popular must visit especially in Autumn when it really comes alive. Danny Deck Chair starring Miranda Otto and Rhys Ifans was filmed in Kilkenny House, a little further up the street. Ebor Falls should not be missed. We can hear the sound of logging machinery as we walk, and in the distance the brown slope of clear fell is jarring among the green of the forest. We love a community cinema and this one is just a bargain price of $5 to join which will then give you free access to the films shown throughout the year. Whilst we didnt get lucky with the koalas we couldnt believe our eyes when we saw the beach! Forest matter from Tarkeeth is trucked to Broadwater power station (Cape Byron Power) to provide biofuel. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); , Join 2,097 others in the Coffs Trails community. Promised Land Retreat offers three luxury self-contained chalets from $250 a couple per night. Weve watched this kind of bat exodus in a few different places and the great thing about Bellingen is that they fly high above you and you dont need to bring a poncho if you know what I mean.. Frequently asked trail questions about Bellingen, According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bellingen is. That makes a visit here even more special. Pizza is the food of choice here and theres loads of board games to keep you entertained. Once you walk in, youll be greeted by a hip, rustic restaurant. They are open daily between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. Youll see the pretty Mylestom Spit before arriving at a beach which has that wonderful wild and remote feeling. The menu is a mixture of Mexican & Indian food. How that is even possible I will never understand because this beach is utterly beautiful. Here the countryside opens up to lush green farmland, where cows graze, and a dirt road completes a circular loop of Glennifer Valley, overlooked by the brooding escarpment of the Great Dividing Range, which is often shrouded in mist. There arent any signposts to get you there, but we put the directions in this post. Check out the menu here and the reviews here. The food is next level and our go to for breakfast. We drove out there just to see what its like and its absolutely stunning! If you only have time for a lookout rather than a walk in New England National Park, then opt for Point Lookout. The section from Lanes lookout to the syndicate trail is a walking track and is a moderate to difficult with some steep sections. 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