53% of the Bellingen Shire LGA comprises National Park and State Forest, so it is of no surprise that there are some great walking trails in and around the Shire. General management professional, environmentalist and technologist, BELLINGEN, DORRIGO, EBOR AND URUNGA BUSH/BEACHWALKING, http://www.sawtellsurfclub.com.au/surf-cafe/, https://www.facebook.com/hearthfiresawtell/, https://www.facebook.com/Winkxxnightspot/. We visited the winery for a tasting and the setting, wine and staff were great, which tallies with the reviews for their guesthouse too. To really make the most out of your time away from it all, we recommend you driving just 20 minutes drive north of Bellingen which will bring you to Valery Trails. All rights reserved, Switch to Sydney.com to see more of our capital city, The 185 kilometre Waterfall Way scenic drive links Coffs harbour and Armidale, passing rainforest, river valleys and waterfalls, including New England and Dorrigo National Parks. It was incredible. You could cover Waterfall Way scenic drive in about two-and-a-half hours, but with so many amazing stops along the way, it could take you all day. Skywalk lookout is a 70m boardwalk that soars over the edge of the escarpment some 21m above the rainforest. A walking trail from the main lookout takes you around the edge of the gorge towards two more viewing platforms from where you can see the lower Ebor Falls. The best accommodation options are in Armidale, Dorrigo and Bellingen, with slim pickings inbetween. Were planning a waterfall trip at the end of February so Im using your travel tips a lot. Weve outlined each viewpoint and the distance it is from the car park, as well as whether we rated it highly or not in this post. 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. Via Hill Street. 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. You can walk around the top of the canyon to many different vantage points to take this incredible Australian canyon in. View Larger Map Its wide and powerful and makes a beautiful shape as it flows over the rock. Unfortunately its a six hour road trip from Sydney which would be better for a brilliant long weekend getaway. Bellingen is a small town that is surrounded by green rolling pastures and the famously clean Bellinger River. Again, if it wasnt for our host at The Belfry Guesthouse to tell us about some of the things you can do in Bellingen, we wouldnt have known about the awesome road trip you can do down to Armidale which takes 2 hours. Bellingen On-line is your gateway to the Bellingen Shire and the townships of Bellingen, Urunga and Dorrigo on the Mid North Coast of NSW, Australia. One of the most amazing lookout points weve been to in Australia has to be at the Skywalk at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. Showcasing the regions agricultural livestock and produce, As one of the oldest, largest and most diverse, Bellingen Community Markets is abuzz every third Saturday of the month in, Touch Football Australia National Touch League, Bellingen Show -Bellinger River Agricultural Society Inc, Destination New South Wales (Corporate site). From there its a bit of an obstacle course as you make your way over, under and in-between huge boulder piles. 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. You'll pass through the grasslands of Killungoondie Plain, which the Gunbaynggirr People once kept clear for hunting and camping by using spot fires. Its gorgeous and has a fabulous deep swimming pool at the base. Our top pick would be to head to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, where you can learn a lot about the indigenous history of the area, as well as look at the incredible artwork on display - when offered a guide, say yes, it really brings it all to life and we couldnt believe there was no charge! Homepage | Events Calendar | About Bellingen On-Line | Local Weather | Request a Link | Make This My Start Page. Start at the intersection of Hill Street and Evans Street . You could spend a good couple of days here as a base for exploring the area and the sights along Waterfall Way. See promisedlandretreat.com.au. This gets very steep. Bellingen Lookout. 1. Traditionally the route was established to open up the escarpment to the trade route to the East and allow export of timber and Ore from the mine in the upper Bellingencatchment before it ceased operating many decades ago. It was a bit busier when we visited so wed rank it below the other choices, but its still a very pretty beach. They also do full moon & champagne canoe tours too! cream. Start location: 1433 Point Lookout Rd, Ebor NSW 2453, Australia. A visit to the Skywalk Lookout is via gold coin donation. The water has shallow and very deep areas and there is a current, so after a lot of rain it is best to stay closer to the bank where you cant feel any pull. Again we dont like saying it but after a couple of dinners out in Dorrigo youll thank us for the tip! 27 Best Things To Do In Bellingen and Dorrigo, 10 Reasons To Stay At The Belfry Guesthouse In Bellingen, NSW, 1 Day Nymboida River Rafting (https://youtu.be/f9gWjKQwZW0), 10 Things To Know About Crystal Shower Falls Walk In Dorrigo National Park, How To Get To The Bottom Of Dangar Falls In Dorrigo NSW, 10 Things To Know About Ellenborough Falls NSW Hike, 19 Things To Do In Blueys Beach (Pacific Palms, Forster NSW). I cant thank enough for all your articles, Ive been using many of them as travel inspiration. Yvonne has been a keen hiker since her dad took her up the Drakensberg as a child. (Isaiah Glen Shields/Facebook) He graduated from college, landed a well-paying job in corporate finance and bought his first home. Take the side trip to Skywalk Lookout for views over the area. As you pass over the Never Never Creek not far from the historic Glennifer Hall, you cross NSW's cleanest tributary, the Bellinger River. BELLINGEN, DORRIGO, EBOR AND URUNGA BUSH/BEACHWALKING. If you love tracks which have a touch of adrenaline then the 5.8km walk to the Cathedral Rock summit in Cathedral Rock National Park is the hike for you. Dogs are permitted off-leash on Urunga Beach, in between the river mouth and the four wheel drive access point, the "Sand Mines". If you are lucky enough to go on a misty day it might just become your favourite walk in the whole state. It doesnt appear anywhere online (well until we found it and wrote about it) so you will almost certainly get it to yourself. One night we find ourselves on the veranda of a century old weatherboard cottage, Oak Street Food and Wine. Find out how easy it is to get down to the bottom of Dangar Falls, you can bring you kids too! They are closed Mondays and otherwise open between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. Whatever you do, do not miss out on this walking track in Dorrigo National Park. Charlie Megginson August 8, 2022 Headlines, Culture. That spray regularly creates rainbows and the whole scene is just breathtaking. It would not feel out of place to round the corner and come face to face with a dinosaur! Its also very special on misty days when the cloud swirls to reveal different parts of the view. Bellingen: With an ascent of 269 ft, Lardner Lookout via Hill Street Trail has the most elevation gain of all of the trails in the area. . It's become something of a ritual, that whenever we arrive in town we head straight for the Bellinger River. We visited on a cold Autumn day so swimming was out of the question for us. A superb kayak down Bellingen River. Required fields are marked *. Sadly we leave Bellingen, our car filled with the smell of freshly baked pumpkin sourdough, the glove box crammed with local real estate brochures and a deafening chorus of cicadas through the open windows. Its also fun to be in the rainforest at night which has a totally different feeling to during the day. The Bellingen Brewery is located right behind the main street and its such a cool find, if you go on the weekend youll be treated to live music. 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. In this article youve mentioned that youre planning to write about great places to see on the trip from Bellingen to Armidale along Waterfall Way. We drove out there just to see what its like and its absolutely stunning! 2023 - Walk My World. Note that Google Maps/GPS is not very accurate in directing you to the Promised Land, its located near the Angel Gabriel Capararo Reserve. 10,000-mile walk includes stop in Delaware. Two grandiose waterfalls and an amazing scenic walk along the escarpment edge. More information about this trail. It's Australia's paddle steamer capital often referred to as the Chicago of Australia with a rich colonial, Aboriginal and riverboat history to boot. Is there a separate article about them? Check out our brand NEW expat podcast on Spotify -, 27 Best Things To Do In Bellingen & Dorrigo NSW 2023 Guide. Although there are more amazing falls like Dangars and Apsley beyond Armidale, it would be too far on a day trip from Bellingen. The most popular hike in the Dorrigo National Park is to Crystal Shower Falls. It's located at the end of the scenic drive, the elevation is 9115 feet, there is a parking lot, for there, you can go. What more could you ask for? Explore this 1.3-mile out-and-back trail near Bellingen, New South Wales. Shes the most gorgeous welcoming person who will definitely be a highlight of your entire trip. , Annual Agricultural Show operating since 1881 Theres a pool at the base which makes for an incredible wild swimming spot (unless the flow is too powerful in which case you can paddle in the pool before the base). It might be a small town but theres something pretty special about Bellingen NSW. Whilst the Waterfall Way technically continues all the way to Armidale, if your primary interest is in waterfalls, theres no need to go beyond Bakers Creek. Eat pizza and watch some awesome bands at The Bellingen Brewery, 7. It is a 30-minute drive from Coffs Harbour airport, serviced by several daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne on Qantas, Tiger Air and Virgin Blue. The best place to take it all in is from Lavender Bridge, right in town. This historic port town, located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, is where the Murray River meets the sea. Just a few minutes down the road from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre lies Dangar Falls, the first of our must see waterfalls on the Waterfall Way road. Overlook at Stone Oak Park Apartments 22202 Estate Hill Dr is an apartment building with 10 floorplans, and 1-3 bedrooms units available. Danny Deck Chair starring Miranda Otto and Rhys Ifans was filmed in Kilkenny House, a little further up the street. Once youve parked you can get a slightly closer look at the falls as well as watch how it affects the traffic! Along with Dangar Falls, Crystal Shower Falls is the most popular waterfall in the area. An undulating forest trail along the ridgeline with lovely views over the Bellinger valley. To be honest, Qudo offers up some of the best Japanese food weve ever had, even more so than when we went to Japan recently. Starting at Coffs Harbour, the scenic drive traverses five national parks and winds through lush rainforest, waterfalls, open woodlands and farmland as you approach Armidale. Light enough to pop in your backpack, illustrated with over 150 photos, and with full colour maps for every walk. If youre wondering, The Promised Land is an actual place. View detailed information about Lookout Pointe rental apartments located at 1200 Terrace Drive, Provo, UT 84604. Cathedral Rock Track Want to make the most of the river in town? Theres no hiking involved to get to this waterfall as you can park up right next to it. then it may just be the highlight of your entire trip - it was for us! When driving from Dorrigo youll first pass Sherrard Falls (which is also gorgeous but theres nowhere to stop), before you pass Newell Falls. Its a fabulous, easy walk with great views and the chance to take a dip in the river by the start of the boardwalk. Coffs Harbour Jetty NSW 2450 Australia The most popular Bellingen festivals include the following: Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival: October, Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival: June. Whilst we didnt get lucky with the koalas we couldnt believe our eyes when we saw the beach! Dont forget to eat at the Black Bear which is actually the best cafe in town! 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. Bring your swimmers because youll find crystal clear swimming holes in the Never Never River to swim in. Once you walk in, youll be greeted by a hip, rustic restaurant. 2 Oak Street, that put Bellingen firmly on the foodie radar, has reopened under new owners, with a new name and a new chef. The adjoining studio is $140 a night. Roughly 25 minutes beyond Ebor youll find the incredible Wollomombi Falls which cascades into a dramatic gorge, we detail which lookouts are worth the walk in this guide. Lookouts. This year however we base ourselves at a handsome 1900s federation home, with a prime Bellingen location that we found on Airbnb. ), were here to show you all of the amazing things to do in Bellingen and neighbouring town of Dorrigo. The walking track we took is the Bundagaree Rainforest Walk, a 6km circuit. 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. Point Lookout - Bellingen (NSW, Australia). At 800 metres above sea level, the air is decidedly cooler and we marvel at the magnificent rainforest canopy from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and Skywalk. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Check out Hammond & Wheatley Emporium Bellingen and Dorrigo are located half an hour drive between each other and just a 30 minute drive from Coffs Harbour. Baker Creek Falls is the first of the waterfalls along the Waterfall Way, and whilst you can only view it from a distance its still worth a stop. 2.45 roundtrip walk from the Treehouse. We recommend staying in Bellingen over Dorrigo as theres more going on there and quite frankly its got a better vibe and is very beautiful. Bellingen is also just a 15 minute drive from the beach town of Urunga which offers a stunning beach for those balmy days. 1400 m. New England National Park. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bellingen is Bellingen River Paddle via Hammond Street. If it was in Sydney, Id definitely be a regular! This trail is estimated to be 4.7 mi long. Held on the third Saturday of every month from 10am-2pm. Promised Land Retreat offers three luxury self-contained chalets from $250 a couple per night. Walk the Urunga boardwalk along the river estuary to the spectacular Hungry Head ocean beach. The food is next level and our go to for breakfast. We ordered the curry which was absolutely beautiful. 2.8 mi. The second being the longer Wonga Walk which well talk about in more detail next. Did you know you can go white water rafting on the Nymboida River which is just 1h20m north of Dorrigo? 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. The walk begins along Slingsbys trail, stretching 6.5km to Lanes lookout along gently undulating terrain that's also suitable for mountain biking. Tue, 04/27/2021 - 04:02am. The walk has some elevation gain and sections of track which are quite slippery and rough. Its one of our favourite beaches in all of NSW, and we all know how many amazing beaches there are here! Wollomombi Falls is just jaw-dropping. They are open daily between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. Stop at the Glade Picnic area for a picnic and enjoy the day out. If youre looking for something to do in the evening during your stay in Bellingen, we recommend popping over to Dorrigo to the Old Gazette Theatre. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
Were about to introduce you to some cracking waterfalls and National Parks which need to be on your radar. Youll also visit two spectacular waterfalls, including the famous Crystal Shower Falls. Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia Length: 1.3 mi Est. The menu is a mixture of Mexican & Indian food. Bring a picnic with you and chill out on the grass. Here you will find a small carpark and rest area with picnic tables. For a more secluded option we recommend heading for North Valla Beach where a short five minute stroll on a good path through the bush, will take you to a very quiet stretch of sand (the walk begins at the park at the end of Cockburn Street). This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Thanks Annie, that would be really useful. The trail itself features a wonderful view from the top at the Lardner Lookout. Whether you are a family looking for relaxed stops, or an outdoor lover seeking the best adventures, there is something for you in this guide. Its easily one of the most popular things to do in Bellingen for sure! You can read more in our Cathedral Rock guide. The Bellingen Growers Markets are held every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 8am-1pm to promote the local organic and chemical free produce to the community. Just be respectful as its a scared area for the community and always leave no trace. The walking track isnt easy and takes 2 hours to walk nearly 6km loop. It's cooked in the wood fire oven right in front of you and there's a variety of toppings. It costs $195 for a whole day trip white water rafting with Break Loose. If you only want to take a quick look at the falls, you can get to a great viewpoint within minutes, its just 100m from the car park. 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