bellingen tourist information centre

• 1.1 Visitor information centre
• 2.2 By plane
• 3 Get around
• 10 Stay safe

Bellingen is a pretty town of 13,000 people (2021) in a green valley on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales . Bellingen is slightly alternative lifestyle, with more than its share of arts, crafts and markets. It caters well for travellers.

Understand [ edit ]

Although it has a typically mild and tropical climate, it can really rain when it chooses to which it does almost every day in the wet season, and the low level bridge across the Bellinger river in central Bellingen is subject to flooding.

Visitor information centre [ edit ]

• -30.452131 152.898709 1 Waterfall Way Visitor Centre , 29-31 Hyde St , ☏ +61266551522 . M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Su 10AM-2PM . ( updated May 2021 )

Get in [ edit ]

By car [ edit ].

Bellingen is located on Waterfall Way , which links the M1 Pacific Motorway with the A15 New England Highway at Armidale in the New England region.

By plane [ edit ]

The closest airport with scheduled flights is located in Coffs Harbour ( CFS  IATA ); which is a half an hour drive by car.

Get around [ edit ]

The easiest way to get around is to walk. The town isn't big, but you do need an umbrella for the afternoon daily storm.

See [ edit ]

• Historic buildings
• Bellinger Valley Historical Society Museum . ( updated May 2021 )

Do [ edit ]

• A beautiful area to take a swim in the Bellingen river can be found along "Glenifer road". Take the first left after the Glenifer hall and find a park when you reach the first bridge after this turn off. Walk upstream along the river from the bridge about 300 m and you will find a wonderful deep swimming hole.
• Tours to Dorrigo National Park . The tours can be arranged in the Bellingen YHA, but only on 3 days a week (Mondays, Wednesday and Friday). Cost: $35 per person. (May need updating?)
• Dorrigo day trip. Transport only. Spend the day in the mountains at Dorrigo. Stops in town and at the Rainforest Centre. Walking path to Dangar Falls. (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday). Cost $27 per person with Dorrigo Transit. Bookings Essential.
• See a live performance.

Buy [ edit ]

• The Old Butter Factory , 1 Doepel Street . Arrays of arts, crafts and lifestyle gift ware, with much of the work produced on site.  
• The Yellow Shed , 2 Hyde Street , ☏ +61 2 6655 1189 . Displays of crafts, artworks, jewellery, perfume, gifts for all ages and over 3,000 selected book titles.  
• The Mysterious Bee , 6 Valleyview Drive Bellingen , ☏ +61 2 6655 1501 . A nature documentary filmed in Bellingen. $30 .  

Eat [ edit ]

• Federal Hotel , 77 Hyde Street ( Waterfall Way ), ☏ +61 2 6655 1003 . .  
• -30.452771 152.897019 1 Cedar Bar & Kitchen , 8 Church Street , ☏ +61 2 6655 1001 . ( updated May 2021 )
• -30.452468 152.89854 2 Diggers Tavern ( Old RSL ), 30 Hyde St , ☏ +61 2 6655 0007 . M-Th 10AM-9PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM . Diggers Tavern is one of Bellingen’s favourite meeting places with three-star accommodations, a beer garden, TAB and gaming facilities. ( updated Oct 2021 )

Drink [ edit ]

• Federal Hotel , 77 Hyde Street ( Waterfall Way ), ☏ +61 2 6655 1003 . This hotel has a great range of draught beers on tap, a good wine list and bottled beers from around the world.  

Sleep [ edit ]

• Bellingen YHA Backpackers , 2 Short Street , ☏ +61 2 6655 1116 , fax : +61 2-6655-1358 , [email protected] . ( updated Jan 2017 )
• Bellinger Valley Motor Inn , 1381 Waterfall Way , ☏ +61 2 6655 1599 , [email protected] . The Bellinger Valley Motor Inn offers 27 large, comfortable rooms. All rooms have air-conditioning and are at ground level. Outdoor facilities include a pool, recliners, BBQ area and heated spa.  
• The Lodge Bellingen ( head 1 km west of town centree; exit left when you see the sign saying "Belingen Lodge" ). Country Motel with pool, spa. Includes bell tents and alpacas. ( updated May 2021 )
• -30.457789 152.898155 1 Hil's Place , 11 Ford St , ☏ +61 419 276 110 . ( updated May 2021 )
• -30.458852 152.894526 2 Koompartoo Retreat , 12 Dudley St , ☏ +61 473 631 754 , [email protected] . Luxury couples accommodation at Koompartoo Retreat. Enjoy a secluded retreat within walking distance from the main streets of Bellingen. All cabins include an electric fireplace for cozy evenings, BBQ on the verandah and Nespresso coffee machine. Some cabins also include a large luxurious bathtub. ( updated May 2021 )

Stay safe [ edit ]

Be aware going in rainy season. It usually rains in Bellingen every day, and rainy season only makes Bello More wet, and difficult to visit.

Go next [ edit ]

• Take a drive or ride along Waterfall Way to visit the World Heritage listed Dorrigo National Park and Oxley Wild Rivers National Park .
• The coastal centre of Coffs Harbour is half an hour's drive to the east.
• Be sure to take a trip up the waterfall way to take in the beautiful scenery and country atmosphere of Dorrigo
• Continue on Waterfall Way to Armidale , Australia's highest city.

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A visitor's guide to Bellingen: 'I’m surprised how straight it’s become – people wear clothes now'

Up Waterfall Way, pass Never Never River and venture into Promised Lands – you’ll discover the romantic monikers are perfectly justified

B ellingen is a buzzy little town straddling the gorgeous Waterfall Way, which links the serene beaches of the New South Wales mid-north coast with the escarpments of the Great Dividing Range. “Bello” to the locals, it’s had many lives, from timber-mill town and dairy hub to hippie hideout, environmentalist holdout and hipster hangout.

Logging trucks still roll through town past the hemp store, butter factory-turned-craft centre, spiffed-up Victorian and Art Deco shopfronts, and an edgy Japanese restaurant in a ramshackle wooden house. Locals sing in a Gumbaynggirr-language choir at the community centre. Hearthfire Bakery creates breads from local flours and, across the road, second-generation butchers, Thorns Gourmet Meats and Smokehouse, sell some of the country’s finest pork, beef and small goods. Local kids play in the acclaimed Bellingen Youth Orchestra when they’re not rewilding in the bush. And as the sun sets across the lime-green alluvial valley, everyone is invited to join Bello’s progressives on Friday nights at the Cedar Bar (at least in pre-Covid-19 times).

Aboriginal elder and Gumbaynggirr language teacher Micklo Jarrett explains how “our Dreamtime stories describe the ocean 120km east of where it is now, which proves our people have been in this region for more than 10,000 years”. Today, the Gumbaynggirr people have been active in stopping logging for wood chips in the nearby Nambucca state forest. “All we want to do is preserve the land for everyone,” he says.

Meanwhile, the National Parks Association of NSW is lobbying the government to establish the Great Koala national park nearby, to link protected forests so the dwindling koala population can thrive again.

Journalist Peter Geddes turned up with his family in the 1970s. He’s working on a documentary about Bellingen’s hippie era, when alternative lifestylers rented houses for $2 a week and used to ride into town on horseback. “We made something out of nothing and eventually the old-timers came to accept that Bellingen turned out pretty well with a sustainable lifestyle,” he says. “I’m a little surprised how straight it’s become, though. People wear clothes now.”

Yet, Bello has held on to its free-thinking spirit, and over the years has attracted creative types inspired by the beauty of the surroundings. Peter Carey was living in a Richard Leplastrier-designed treehouse in the Promised Land, across the Bellinger River, when he conceived his Booker prize-winning novel Oscar and Lucinda, which is inspired by the little church in Gleniffer.

Bellingen remains a bubble of progressive politics in National party heartland. Kevin and Lowanna Doye are part of the new wave. After cycling from the UK to Sydney (it took over a year and a cargo ship was involved) to highlight the environmental impact of air travel, they moved into one of Bello’s 27 multiple-occupancy intentional communities and opened Kombu Wholefoods in 2004, to sell local organic produce at affordable prices. Bellingen shire ranges from subtropical coastal regions to 1,500 metres elevation on the escarpment so they can source everything from mangoes, bananas, avocados, macadamia nuts and pineapples to all sorts of greens, pumpkins, potatoes, carrots, citrus and stone fruits.

“I live in a beautiful place connected with my family doing something I believe in. Our philosophy is all about strengthening the local community.”

In times like these, it all makes perfect sense.

The Bellingen Community Markets are held every third Saturday at Bellingen Park. Sample orange Jaffa and caramelised fig and marsala gelato at Bellingen Gelato .

Browse Australian fashion brands, linens and beauty products at the Art Deco HYDE Bellingen , as well as Emporium Bellingen in the 1900s Hammond and Wheatley building.

Culture fix

In normal times, the festival calendar (Camp Creative, the Bellingen fine music festival, The Bellingen readers’ and writers’ festival, etc) is brilliant.

Where to eat and drink

Who’d have thought Middle Eastern street food and hip Japanese fusion would be the local go-to spots in a NSW country town – but this is Bellingen, after all. Qudo dishes up dazzling barramundi teriyaki and sushi rolls infused with greens, while Za’atar cafe offers falafel, hummus plates and lamb kofta in fluffy pita bread. Black Bear cafe is the spot for breakfast on the sunny terrace. And for excellent pizzas, craft beer and a pared-back urban vibe, head to Bellingen Brewery .

Where to stay

Rent a cottage in the Promised Land through Airbnb and other agencies. The best campgrounds are Reflections Holiday Parks beside the Kalang River estuary in Urunga and a free camping site next to the general store in Thora, on the drive up the escarpment to Dorrigo.

Get out of town

Go canoeing on the Bellinger River to spot sea eagles, azure kingfishers, flooded gums and dairy cow river crossings, or drive the loop around the Promised Land and dip your toes in Never Never Creek.

Visit the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre for escarpment vistas of the Gondwana rainforest, or hike into the world heritage-listed rainforest on the two-hour Wonga Walk .

Walk the Urunga boardwalk along the river estuary to the spectacular Hungry Head ocean beach.

Getting there

Almost halfway between Sydney (5.5 hours’ drive north) and Brisbane (five hours’ drive south); Bellingen is around 30 minutes’ drive south-west from Coffs Harbour airport. While there is some public transport available in the area, having a car is strongly recommended.

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The ultimate guide to Waterfall Way

185km of pristine waterfalls, rainforests and cute towns.

Welcome to Waterfall Way. Countless hiking trails, secluded campgrounds and pristine waterfalls have earned this drive a reputation as one of Australia’s best. Waterfall Way is the gateway to some of the country’s most impressive waterfalls and national parks. It stretches 185km from the coast, at the exit from the Pacific Highway near Urunga (20mins drive south of Coffs Harbour) to Armidale in the west.

Did you know: From Urunga to Wollomombi Falls you’re passing through the Countries of Gumbaynggirr, Dhunghutti and Anaiwan.

First up: Bellingen

Bellingen street view

Gethin Coles Photography

-30.4535 , 152.9075

Situated beside the Bellinger River, this charming little town is a perfect place to fuel up and stretch the legs. Home to a variety of cafes offering fantastic breakfast and lunch options, accommodation is available here too. Bellingen boasts character, creativity, a relaxed atmosphere and one of the state’s most pristine rivers.

The First Four Waterfalls - Dorrigo National Park

A post shared by Liam Hardy (@liamhardy.photography) on Jan 16, 2016 at 9:11pm PST

From Bellingen, 30km of winding road will lead you along the Bellinger River and up the Great Eastern Escarpment as bellbirds sing outside your window. Two waterfalls flow right beside the road as it meanders up to Dorrigo. Soon you’ll find some of Australia’s most impressive rainforest and waterfalls within Dorrigo National Park ,  part of the UNESCO listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia .

Dorrigo National Park offers plenty of beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls, an informative Visitor Information Centre,  a gift shop and the environmentally conscious  Canopy Café . Skywalk lookout is just metres from the visitor centre, offering an expansive view from above before you descend below the canopy. Admire the beauty of Crystal Shower and Tristania Falls along Wonga Walk with your friends and family.

If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, take a quick drive to Never Never Picnic Area and follow Rosewood Creek walking track down to mighty Red Cedar Falls – you won’t regret it! Red Cedar is the tallest waterfall accessible by walking track in Dorrigo National Park. Remember to take a rubbish bag with you as there are no bins provided at Never Never picnic area.

Did you know: 2019 marked 25 years of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia . The unique plants, animals, ancient landscapes and subtropical rainforests of this UNESCO World Heritage area are an incredible example of the major stages of Earth’s evolution.

Ebor Falls – Guy Fawkes River National Park

A post shared by Sez (@sarakeith_) on Oct 29, 2017 at 3:19am PDT

50km from Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and just a stone’s throw from Ebor is one of Australia’s most scenic and photogenic multi-step waterfalls – Ebor Falls . The Gumbaynggirr people named these falls ‘Martiam’, meaning ‘Great Falls’ for good reason. Lookouts for both the upper and lower sections of the falls are located only a brief walk from the carpark, perfect for a picnic lunch with a view!

New England National Park

A post shared by Liam Hardy (@liamhardy.photography) on Aug 16, 2016 at 1:15am PDT

Further west along Waterfall Way you’ll find another World Heritage-listed natural wonder. In the depths of New England National Park hides a lush campground, cabin accommodation, spectacular lookouts and ancient forest. Point Lookout is the place to be for an unbeatable sunrise view. If you’re keen for a hike, Lyrebird walking track will lead you to Wrights lookout , high up on an exposed basalt plateau. If you’d prefer a shorter walk, Eagles Nest track will lead you to the stunning volcanic formation of Weeping Rock. Tea Tree Falls walking track links Thungutti campground to Toms Cabin , guiding you through mystical mossy forest and pristine flowing creeks.

Cathedral Rock - Cathedral Rock National Park

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ricko 🐍 (@nich_rickwood)

Continuing on roughly 20 mins from Ebor Falls is a bunch of ancient granite boulders perched high above the New England Tablelands. Cathedral Rock National Park is located 125km (two hours) from Coffs Harbour. There are two campgrounds and fantastic hiking trails, perfect for an overnight stay with friends. Hike up to the summit of Cathedral Rock with your camera for sunset. You’ll feel on top of the world with 360-degree views! Be especially mindful of children and elderly hikers around the summit – the rocks can be slippery and there are very steep drop-offs.

Wollomombi Falls – Oxley Wild Rivers National Park

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Jehzim (@jehzim)

Wollomombi Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Australia. If you love a rugged landscape, Wollomombi Falls should be on your must-see list . You’ll find it halfway between Armidale and Ebor off Waterfall Way. Best experienced after heavy rainfall when the Wollomombi River plummets over 220 metres into the valley below. If you’re keen for some exercise then take a hike along Chandler walking track or  Wollomombi walking track both starting from Wolllomombi Falls picnic area . Nearby Wollomombi campground is great to spend a night or two.

Did you know : Waterfalls can be dangerous places – don’t become a tragic statistic. Make sure you stay on the tracks, watch out for slippery rocks, and never climb or jump off the waterfalls. Check out more detailed info on water safety and remember to always stay safe .

Keep exploring

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How to prepare for an overnight or multi-day hike

Overnight hiking doesn’t have to be hard! Here’s what to do.

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Bellingen

Things to do in bellingen.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. The Bellingen Brewery

2. Bellingen Community Markets

3. Northbank Community Garden

4. Bellingen Growers Market

5. Emporium

6. Bellingen Memorial Hall

7. Theblackhole

8. Old Butter Factory

9. David Helfgott Sculpture

10. levenvale farm.

11. The Yellow Shed

12. Valery Trails & Horse Riding Centre

13. Diggers Tavern

14. Sweet Bellingen

15. The Woodcraft Gallery

16. Bellingen Canoe Adventures

17. Vivid in Bellingen

18. Hunter Collective

19. Macs Opals

20. The Yoga Studio

21. Soul Kindle

22. Bellingen Gallery & Framing Studio

23. Bellingen Plant Fair

24. sourced salvage studio, bellingen, 25. bellingen video connection, 26. fuller fresh.

27. Bellingen Kombi Tours

28. Bellingen Shire Bushwalks - OzGREEN

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Bellingen, NSW

Charming chic "tree change" town on the Bellinger River

Bellingen, known to the locals as "Bello", is an attractive township in the heart of the Bellinger Valley surrounded by rich pasturelands. It is a town which historically serviced the surrounding dairy farmers and timber cutters. Over the past twenty years it has become a popular inland retreat from "treechangers" who do not want to live on the coast. The changes are obvious. The menus in the cafes have a distinctly citified feel about them, the shops have lots of home made craft items. These changes coincided with a transitional period in dairy farming which saw the local farmers selling off the odd 30–40 hectares for a price far better than its rural value. The rich soils of the valley and the extensive sunshine and good rainfall have ensured that the town will always be prosperous. Today it is a pleasant retreat away from the Pacific Highway. In the novel Oscar and Lucinda Peter Carey describes the valley as: "The Bellinger was not like it is now, with wide electric-green fields pushing down on to the river. The banks were like green cliffs of camouflage pierced with giant knitting needles and spun and tangled all about with ferns and creepers". Today it is a charming "tree change" town.

Bellingen is located 520 km north of Sydney, 426 km south of Brisbane and 12 km west of the Pacific Highway turnoff. It is 23 metres above sea level.

Origin of Name

It is believed that the town is named after the river that runs through it. The local Gumbaynggir First Nations people called the river the "billengen".

Things to See and Do

Shire of Bellingen Administration Centre and Maam-Gaduying Meeting Place Park The Shire of Bellingen Administration Centre, a series of buildings surrounding a rather gracious park, is located in Hyde Street. It includes the library (1882), the local folk museum and the old Headmasters Residence, a handsome timber building on the main street, which has been turned into a Neighbourhood Centre. The park in front of the buildings, known as the Maam-Gaduying Meeting Place Park, also includes the town's Visitor Information Centre and a bust of local boy Adam Gilchrist who became the Captain of the Australian Cricket Team and is described as "Australia's greatest ever one day cricketer".

David Helfgott Sculpture of a Piano In the grounds of the "meeting place" there is a sculpture celebrating the life of a David Helfgott. The plaque on the sculpture records: "Music is treasure held in store for all humanity”. This sculpture was commissioned by Camp Creative to celebrate the inspirational life of local resident David Helfgott. His life of triumph over adversity saw him recover from a serious breakdown to resume his career and become a world famous concert pianist. Sculptor: John van der Kolk. January 2009.”

The Yellow Shed Originally it was an old Workers Recreation Hall which was built by Fredrick Doepel at his timber mill in the early 1900s and moved to the present site in 1928. It became the Yellow Shed in 1981 and has since become an iconic building in the town specialising in crafts, artwork, books (it has over 3,000 titles), music, jewellery, body care products and Aboriginal artefacts. It is located at 2 Hyde Street, tel: (02) 6655 1189.

The Sara Quads - 14 Hyde Street One of Australia's first "media sensations" was the birth of the Sara Quads. The idea of having four children naturally was a novelty back in 1950 and they made history becoming the first surviving quadruplets born in Australia. Their lives were followed with obsessive interest by the Australian Women's Weekly and a movie was made about them when they turned sixteen. (A short news item can be seen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu0SaQTOJOE ) Their home in 1950 was the residence at number 14. The house is still standing.

Belligen Walks There is an excellent downloadable brochure - http://urunga.com.au/wp-content/uploads/WALKING_FLYER_v6.pdf titled Walking Bellingen & Surrounds which lists and details four walks in the immediate area.

Walk 1: Bellingen Southside - Historic Buildings and Trees The walk starts from the Historical Museum (the local Visitor Centre), takes 90 minutes to two hours, is an easy walk traversing approximately 4 km. It passes the Memorial Hall, the Court House, Hammond & Wheatley's Emporium, the Federal Hotel, the Magnolia Tree which was planted to honour the nurses in World War II, the Masonic Hall, the Anglican Church, the Old Bellingen Council Chambers, the historic residence of Dr Hewitt, McNally House (reputedly the oldest house in the town) and the Old Butter Factory complex of galleries and shops.

The highlights of the walk include: 1. Bellinger Valley Historical Museum Located at 31 Hyde Street, the museum has a photo collection which covers the local pioneers, early forms of transportation in the valley and town life. There are unusual artefacts connected with schools in the district, farming and pioneer families. There is a collection of photographs of sport, the local architecture, medical services and the local timber industry. There is also a small collection of Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal artefacts including stone and wooden tools. For more details check out http://bellingenmuseum.org.au . The museum is open Monday to Friday 10.00 am -2.00 pm, tel: (02) 6655 7380. Email: [email protected] .

3. Court House and Police Station Both the Court House and the Police Station were built by George Moore in 1910. They were constructed from concrete bricks which were made in a brick-making machine imported from the USA.

4. Hammond & Wheatley The superb Hammond & Wheatley Emporium was built in 1909 by George Moore. It has been described as "an innovative enterprise with locally manufactured concrete blocks and techniques and materials ahead of contemporary country practice. Restored in 1989. Cast iron columns support the awnings with iron lacework featuring department names. Original brass shop front framings with engraved brass sills remain. Internally a mezzanine floor is reached via a grand staircase."

5. Federal Hotel The Federal Hotel was completed in 1901. The hotel is an integral component of a streetscape of one and two storey buildings all of which were completed around the turn of the century - the time of Federation, hence the hotel's name.

13. Old Butter Factory The Old Butter Factory, on the edge of town at Waterfall Way, includes a number of interesting art and crafts shops specialising in leather, pottery, woodcraft, glass and country crafts. The first building was completed in 1906 as the home of the Upper Bellingen Dairy Co-Operative. In 1919 it expanded with the inclusion of a bacon factory. In 1924 however, due to strict regulations placed on butter production, it was pulled down and replaced. It eventually closed down in 1963 and some years later was revived as a craft centre.

Walk 2: Bellingen Northside - Island, Rainforest & Flying Fox Walk The walk starts at the reserve on the north side of Lavender Bridge, takes 60-120 minutes, is an easy walk traversing approximately 4 km. Its main features are "the only remnant of this type of Subtropical Rainforest on the floodplain remaining in the Bellinger River Valley. Also an important maternity colony of Grey-headed Flying Fox on Bellinger Island. The rainforest community and the flying fox are listed as endangered. The cemetery at the end of Lyons Road includes:

Black Jimmy's Grave Black Jimmy's Grave is on the south-east side of the Bellingen cemetery. He is recognised as the last full blood member of the Gumbaynggir Aboriginal people. He died in 1922.

Other Attractions in the Area

David Helfgott, George Negus and Bellingen To the north of the town lie the tiny settlements of  Hydes Creek, Gleniffer and Promised Land which have all been made famous by a small group of well-known personalities including the well-known television personality, George Negus and the concert pianist David Helfgott who was the subject of the movie Shine . 

Walk 3: Rotary Lookout and Tarkeeth State Forest Circuit This is an excellent walk for those wanting an overview of the entire Bellinger Valley. It is ranked as a medium difficulty walk covering 7 km, taking 2-3 hours and departing from the main street and heading south. For a detailed map check out http://www.bellingen.com/town-walks.html .

* Prior to European settlement the Bellingen area was inhabited by the Gumbaynggirr First Nation people.

* The Land Commissioner for the Macleay, Henry Oates, officially used the term "Bellinger River" in documents in 1840.

* In 1841 William Miles, a stockman from Kempsey, became the first European to explore the Bellinger Valley. That same year the Government Surveyor, Clement Hodgkinson, recognised the richness of cedar in the area.

* In 1842 the Northumberland crossed the bar at the site of modern day Urunga. It was the beginning of an active trade in cedar with timber workers cutting the trees and waiting for the floods to carry them down to the river mouth.

* As the cutters cleared the land, farmers moved into the valley and grew maize and grazed dairy cattle and sheep.

* By 1842 Hodgkinson had reported: "The brush contained the finest cedar and rosewood I have ever seen."

* The growth of cedar cutting throughout the 1840s was dramatic with 20 pit sawers operating along the river by 1843.

* So determined were the Gumbaynggar people to keep the cedar cutters and explorers off their land that they regularly attacked the camps.

* In 1845 it was estimated that there were 300 Aborigines living in the Bellinger Valley.

* So rich was the area in cedar that it was estimated that over 2 million super feet of cedar were being extracted each year.

* The valley was progressively settled throughout the 1850s.

* By 1857 the North Coast Steam Navigation Coy. had been established.

* By 1865 there was a pilot station to guide ships through the Bellinger Heads.

* In 1869 both the Police Station and the Court House were built in Bellingen and this largely determined the town's importance.

* The 1870s saw the building of the Bellinger Public School (1870) and the establishment of a Post Office at Boat Harbour (1871) although the name 'Boat Harbour' was officially changed to Bellingen in 1870.

* In 1876 a road through the valley and up to Dorrigo was being surveyed.

* In 1876 the Sydney Morning Herald reported "There are two townships, Fernmount and Boat Harbour; at the former there are two stores, a church, public school, two public houses and boot store. The principal storekeeper is Mr Pulsford who is also the postmaster and a J.P. The police court, a neat and commodious building, is situated at Boat Harbour, and is presided over by Capt. Fisher, P.M., who, I am informed, has managed since his appointment to reduce the work of the office very considerably simply by advising litigants to settle their differences, if possible, without making public spectacles of themselves in a police court."

* By 1880 there were accessible roads throughout the valley and the road to Dorrigo was being cut up the mountain.

* In 1887 the local School of Arts was completed.

* The first Church of England was completed in 1896.

* In 1900 the town's most admired commercial building, Hammond & Wheatley's Store was established.

* The Bank of New South Wales arrived in 1903.

* By 1905 the Upper Bellingen Co-op Dairying Coy. was established and the shire was formally proclaimed in 1906.

* In 1909 a new Post Office had been built and that same year Hammond & Wheatley built the first concrete building in Australia.

Visitor Information

Bellinger Shire Visitor Information Centre, Pacific Highway, Urunga, tel: (02) 6655 5711.

Useful Websites

The local Chamber of Commerce has an excellent website with an interesting collection of downloadable brochures. Check out http://urunga.com.au . It includes brochures on walking, boating, cycling, boating as well as waterfalls, scenic drives and local birdlife.

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4 suggestions

Another great “Useful Websites” is http://www.ilovebelloshire.com

Mylestom is a small Coastal Village near mouth, with Tidal Pool, Surf Club, Recreation Club, Coffee Shop and Dual Boat Ramps. Scullers and Dragon Boats train and compete here. Bongil Bongil National Park and Kilometres of beautiful beaches with Dolphins and Whales between late May and November. Also great fishing spot.

“Gumbaynggirr” is the correct spelling, and ‘peoples’ is considered more respectful than ‘Aborigines’.

Is there a Cobb & Co building here?

Other regional tourist portals: Coffs Harbour | Valla Beach | Scotts Head | Auckland

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15 min read

The best nature walks in and around the bellingen shire.

By Taryn Blight on Dec 20, 2021

Topics: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga Riverside

The Bellingen Shire is renowned for its incredible natural environment and the diversity of landscapes. From the heritage Gondwana rainforest of the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range, lush valleys of sub-tropical vegetation and dairy farming paddocks surrounding Bellingen, to the long white stretches of sand and surf along the coastline near Urunga, the scenery continues to capture hearts and has people wanting to return over and over for more.

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. Below, we have included a mix of our favourite walks to suit a range of abilities. There are many accessible boardwalks and walking paths, along with more challenging bushwalks.

Nature Walks Around Urunga

Urunga is the place where the rivers meet the sea, and is where the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers converge before heading out to the ocean. The mangroves, coastal scrubland, and woodland, provide habitat in the estuaries, wetlands, and coastal forests for a rich and diverse range of species, and there are a range of walks that take you through many of these environements. 

Urunga Boardwalk - Accessible

The Urunga boardwalk is probably the most popular nature walk in the shire. The boardwalk extends from the tidal swimming pool with its jetty and pontoons for one kilometre over the lagoon that runs adjacent to the coast all the way to the 4WD beach access track before Hungry Head to the south of town, over mangroves and then along the breakwall until it reaches the ocean.

This walk is not only remarkable for the variation in coastal vegetation, but mainly for how species-rich the estuary is with its fish pools, the thousands of soldier crabs you will pass in low tide, pelicans, rays, large turtles, Eastern water dragons, kangaroos and wallabies, and on a lucky day, dolphins and passing whales, 

the ~2km return trip should take you roughly half an hour, and there are seats along the way and two viewing platforms. Those accessing in a wheelchair may want to go with a friend as some sections are narrow without wheel guard rails so can be tricky when people are passing.

Location: The boardwalk can be found by turning into the Reflections Holiday Park on Morgo Street, Urunga. There is car parking, bathroom facilities, a saltwater lagoon swimming pool, and children's playground.

Urunga to Wenonah Headland Beach Walk

If you are looking to walk barefoot on the sand as the waves gently lap your feet, then the walk from Urunga to the Native Title Lands of Wenonah Headland along the state forest flanked beach will be on your to-do list.

Beginning at the end of the 1km boardwalk, the walk down the coast and back is approximately a 10km return trip to Wenonah Headland, a popular hidden gem loved by locals and those in the know. Make sure you pack some water and a picnic lunch to have at the headland before turning back. However, it is important to be mindful when you are visiting, as Wenonah is a sacred place to the Gumbaynggirr People and it is important to only leave footprints behind.

If the weather is warm enough (which it is for most of the year here) make sure you pack a towel and your swimmers so you can have a refreshing ocean dip along the way at Hungry Head which is patrolled during school holidays and on weekends in the warmer months.

If the 10km beach walk is a little too much, you can park your car at Hungry Head lookout and head in either direction. The walk to Wenonah is just a little longer than if you head north towards town.

Location: Parking is available at the Urunga Boardwalk carpark or at Hungry Head near the Surf Life Saving Club where you will also find bathroom facilities.

If you enjoy your beach walks, then make sure you head up to Mylestom's 8.75km North Beach , the longest beach in the region extending to Bongil Bongil in the north and the Bellinger River and Urunga in the South, but be-warned that it is ill advised to swim south of the Surf Life Saving Club because of the strong currents.

Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk - Accessible

This short, accessible walk is a favourite for both locals and visitors and contains a history of regeneration after the soils and wetlands were polluted by the old antinomy processing plant that was previously located at the site.

Heavy metals waste left behind by the operators after the closing of the plant in 1974 resulting in antimony, arsenic, lead, and reagent residues of cyanide and cresylic acid contaminating the surrounding wetlands area and causing large scale die back of the swamp paperbark, as well as affecting the native wildlife reliant on the wetlands environment for their survival.

A detailed remediation process began in 2011 after the land was reclaimed and turned into Crown Lands, and the wetlands were opened to the public in 2017, although swimming and boating in the waters is still prohibited.

The 150 metre boardwalk allows visitors to walk directly over the wetland, with an additional 450 metre gravel walking track that loops back to the starting point. There is a seated area halfway across the water which makes for a perfect spot for reflection as you listen to the sounds of the frogs, ducks and many other species that call the wetlands their home.

Location: Hillside Drive, Urunga near the corner of Giinagay Way. There is small carpark onsite.

Urunga to Hungry Head Shared Footpath - Accessible

If you are looking for a longer accessible walk or have brought your bikes, the ~3km shared cycleway to Hungry Head from the Urunga boardwalk will take you alongside the lagoon until you reach the headland. The one-way walk takes approximately 35 minutes, or 10 minutes by bike, passing the Waaraaday Wood Duck sculpture dedicated to Uncle Tom Kelly, and when you get closer to your destination at Hungry Head, there is a good chance that you will spot a wallaby or kangaroo if you head out in the early morning or late afternoon, among many other incredible wildlife that call the area their home such as sea eagles, kookaburras and possibly even a goanna.

Dorrigo National Park rainforest Walking Trails

One of the most magical places in the country, the Dorrigo National Park is a place of untouched beauty. Only 45-minutes along Waterfall Way from Urunga, the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch, magnificent bird watching, and waterfall walks that heal the soul.

Crystal Shower Falls Walk

The most iconic walk within the Dorrigo National Park, this moderate 4.4km return walk from the Rainforest Centre to Crystal Shower Falls and back, will take around 1.5-2hrs to complete. The compacted track through the Gondwana rainforest slopes towards a valley with a suspension bridge that looks directly over the falls and makes for the best photo op, plus fun for the kids, and there is also a short track that leads to a cavern underneath the waterfall allowing you to look through the veil of cascading water.

Although this walk does not require any bushwalking experience, please note it is sloped, and there are the occasional steps.

The Crystal Showers Walk can be shortened by parking at The Glade picnic area and taking Satinbird Stroll , or extended for a longer walk by taking the 6.6km Wonga Walk Circuit loop track which will pass both Crystal and Tristania Falls.

Best to visit the Rainforest Centre and seeking advice as to the best track for you if you are unsure.

Walk with the Birds boardwalk - Accessible

This quick 500m easy grade walk takes you through the rainforest canopy across an elevated boardwalk, giving you the best opportunity for birdwatching in the park. There are around 150 various species of birds located within the National Park, and you have a good chance of spotting lyrebirds, brush turkeys, riflebirds and many more.

Start at  The Glade picnic area , then take the northern arm of Satinbird stroll  for 200m to you reach the boardwalk section of the looped walk. 

Red Cedar Falls Walking Track

More experienced bushwalkers will want to head over to the Never Never picnic area and try one of the harder grade, and more private walks such as the 8km 3hr Red Cedar Falls Walking Track.

Red Cedar Falls is the largest waterfall in the Dorrigo National Park, and the strenuous zig-zagged walk to get there is certainly worth the reward. The walk begins from the picnic area by following the Rosewood Creek Walking Track for 2km before a 1.2km steep descent to the base of the falls. The size of the 600 year old trees in this section of the National park is nothing short of impressive. On the way back there is the option to swing right and complete the Rosewood Creek track or return the way you came.

The Never Never picnic area is around a 15 minute drive from the Rainforest Centre. The Casuarina Falls Circuit and Blackbutt Walking Track are other walking tracks that leave from the Never Never picnic area for keen bushwalkers to take, however, we highly recommend that anyone taking any of these walks fills out the Trip Intention form online before heading out and grab a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) from the Rainforest Centre as there is minimal mobile coverage in the National Park.

Bongil Bongil National Park

If you have come to the region to spot a koala, then according to the region's foremost koala tracker, this is hands down the best place to head to have a crack. The Bongil Bongil eucalypt forests are home to one of NSW’s largest koala populations, but if you don't have any luck with the koala spotting, it also makes a great destination for avid bird watchers with over 165 species including the glossy black cockatoo and little lorikeet.

Bongil Bongil is only ten minutes north of Urunga and a fantastic alternative to the Dorrigo National Park if you want to avoid the longer mountain drive and steep tracks.

Bundageree Rainforest walk

The favourite Bongil Bongil trail is the Bundageree Rainforest walk, a moderately easy looped track that hugs the coast and is only a few minutes from the town of Repton at the end of Tuckers Rock Road (but a warning, the road is gravel after you enter the park).

Beginning from North Beach, the 6km track takes you through coastal rainforest and then along the shoreline and provides a great opportunity to watch Lewin’s honeyeaters and satin bowerbirds, and sea eagles on the return. 

There is also an option for those not wanting to return in the full sun along the coast after reaching Bundageree Creek, to head back the way you came in the rainforest's shade.

Make sure you pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the forested seaside Bluff Loop Picnic Area.

For those wanting to extend their walk, there is the option to link up to Bluff Loop Walking trac k , plus there are plenty more tracks that you will pass on the way there.

Muurlay Baamgala cycle trails

This shared track is a fantastic way to explore the Bongil Bongil National Park forest with the whole family, whether you are travelling by mountain bike or on foot. There are over 80km of reasonably flat fire trails to navigate, and most of the time you will have the forest all to yourself and the many species that make this place their home.

We recommend parking at the Sid Burke picnic area off Pine Creek Way as the trails from here are the best place to spot a koala so make sure you take the time to check for claw markings on the trees, and bring your binoculars if you have some. At the picnic area, there are toilet facilities and a large bike map to help plan your adventure.

Nambucca V-Wall & Boardwalk - Accessible

The accessible shared V-Wall and Boardwalk pathway hugs the Nambucca River to where it meets the ocean from the old Tourist Information Centre for ~3km to the end of the colourful V-Wall gallery of painted rocks from visitors and locals, past and present ,

The walk comprises both sealed path with some sections of boardwalk that take you over mangroves as you near the river mouth, and taking you past the children's playgrounds at Gordon and Bellwood Parks so the kids can have a play, and the Wharf Street and Boatshed cafes and the V-Wall Tavern if you decide to break up your walk with a coffee stop or lunch.

This is definitely one of our favourite local nature walks due to its accessibility and the variety of picturesque scenery. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for passing dolphins in the river.

Visit Coffs Trails for lots more amazing nature walks in the area.

Find more things to do when visiting urunga and the bellingen shire., written by taryn blight, previous post.

The Best Bushwalks in Port Stephens

Best beaches near Shoalhaven's Sussex Inlet

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Bellingen NSW: Rainforest, Waterfalls & Bohemian Boutiques

by Lisa Bull | Last updated Oct 20, 2021 | North Coast

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.

If the hippy vibe of well-known Byron Bay is your kind of thing, you’ll love the small, bohemian town of Bellingen. Tucked away in the rainforest just half an hour from the Mid-North Coast NSW coastline, beautiful Bellingen is home to eclectic boutiques, quirky cafes and plenty of historic, character-filled architecture.

After spending a couple of nights in South West Rocks on my Brisbane to Sydney road trip, it was time to head away from the coastal towns and explore the waterfalls, rainforest and alternative lifestyle in the New South Wales countryside before reaching Coffs Harbour .

Bellingen was by far one of the most memorable stops on my journey, as well as the stunning waterfalls in nearby Dorrigo National Park. Read on to discover some of the interesting things to do in Bellingen NSW!

Where is Bellingen in NSW ?

Sydney to Bellingen takes about six hours by car, so it’s quite a long drive unless you’re planning a longer trip with a few stops along the way, such as Port Stephens or Port Macquarie . It also takes over five hours to drive from Brisbane.

Bellingen’s closest beach area is Urunga, just 16km away. Coffs Harbour is also only a 41km drive northeast. So you could fly to Coffs Harbour airport to save time, and hire a car to drive to explore Bellingen and its surrounds.

Things to Do in Bellingen

While its a small settlement, Bellingen still has plenty of character and places to explore. Here are just some of the attractions that lie around the town.

Admire Bellingen’s Historic Architecture

The main hub in Bellingen is the shopping area along Hyde Street. The quaint historic buildings from the late 1800s are well preserved, and fascinating to explore.

Shop in Bellingen’s Boutiques

Rather than the usual Australian high street stores, Bellingen’s creative community has filled the town with artisan shops and independent boutiques. It’s definitely one of the more unique towns in Australia

Make sure you look inside Hyde, part café, part stylish homeware, clothing and accessories store.

You can’t miss the huge Emporium Bellingen inside the beautiful old Hammond and Wheatley Building. Step inside to delve through a warren of furniture, clothes and interesting homeware.

Explore the Quirky Side of Bellingen

You only need to stroll down Hyde St to see the quirky side of Bellingen. Here are a few personal highlights!

Eat & Drink in Bellingen Cafes & Restaurants

There are some great cafes in Bellingen. We stopped for a coffee at Bellingen Gelato, which had a lovely outdoor seating area as well as a retro theme inside!

Bellinger River

Once you’ve had your fill of funky buildings in the town, it’s a short stroll from Hyde St over to Lavender Bridge Park where you can picnic and relax along the banks of Bellinger River.

Visit The Old Butter Factory

Also within walking distance of Hyde St is The Old Butter Factory . Established in the 1920s, the former factory is a creative mecca where you can shop and eat.

It’s a short, picturesque walk along Waterfall Way to The Old Butter Factory at 1 Doepel St. Just watch out for ducks crossing!

On site you’ll find a café and array of studios and boutiques, selling leather goods, jewellery, art and bohemian-style clothing.

Accommodation in Bellingen

Although Bellingen is a small town, you still have a choice of accommodation, including campsites, a hostel and guest houses. Follow the link to Booking.com below to browse options.

Browse Bellingen accommodation on Booking.com

Bellingen Camping

I camped at Bellingen Showground , which is available all year round as long as no events are on (call up and check first). The ground has powered and unpowered sites, hot showers and toilets, and prices start at $10 per adult.

Bellingen Backpacker Hostel

Many years ago when I travelled Australia as a student I stayed at Bellingen YHA. We also popped in this time around as we thought they had camping sites too (they didn’t). It looked very nice though, so it’s a great option if you’re backpacking.

Book Bellingen YHA on Booking.com

Visit Dorrigo National Park Waterfalls

No trip to Bellingen would be complete without a detour to the beautiful waterfalls of Dorrigo National Park! At less than half an hour’s drive away from Bellingen, it would be rude not to!

Dangar Falls

Just 2km from Dorrigo town centre is beautiful Dangar Falls. This 30m waterfall has a viewing platform, picnic area and walking track down to the river at the bottom.

Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and Crystal Shower Falls Walk

A 4km drive south of Dorrigo town is Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, where you can enjoy amazing views from the Skywalk or visit the Canopy Café.

From here you can join onto the 400m Lyrebird Track then the 6.6km Wonga loop walk through the beautiful rainforest, passing Crystal Shower Falls.

At the falls you’ll not only be able to cross a suspension bridge but walk right behind the waterfall itself!

With its mild climate, Bellingen is great to visit all year round. But take a look at the Bellingen events listing if you want to coincide your trip with one of its many festivals or markets.

Toe read my whole Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary, with distances, costs, accommodation and recommended stops, check out this blog post:

Sydney to Brisbane Drive Itinerary

Happy travels!

Lisa Bull, founder of Dreaming of Down Under, has been living in Australia as a British expat since 2015. After travelling to every state and territory in Australia and living in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, Lisa knows from first-hand experience the best destinations to visit in Australia and the best budget travel tips. Her guides on this blog have been read by over 700k readers and helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living in or travelling Australia.

Just stumbled on your blog about my little slice of heaven. Great content. Also nice shot of my house behind the ducks on the road! 😀

Thanks Guy. Oh wow, I’ve never had someone spot their own house before!

A beautiful part of the world.

Yes, it’s so lovely there!

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Hi, I'm Lisa, a British expat living in Sydney. I've travelled almost the whole Australian coastline and love sharing detailed travel and migration guides to inspire other adventurous souls to travel or move to Australia. Read more about me!

Bellingen Island

Mid-North Coast

This little semi-attached island on the Bellinger River (it's only completely cut off when the river is in flood) is home to a huge colony of grey-headed flying foxes. For a closer look, take the ramp down from the Old Caravan Park on Dowle St at the northern end. The best months to visit are October to January, when the babies are being born and nursed. Wear long trousers and use insect repellent to ward off stinging nettles, leeches, ticks and mosquitoes.

At dusk the flying foxes fly out in their thousands to feed, though this impressive sight is best viewed from the bridge in the centre of town.

Suggest an edit to this attraction

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NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

• Dorrigo Rainforest Centre

Dorrigo National Park

Open, check  current alerts  

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Dorrigo Rainforest Centre.

Getting there and parking

Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is in the western precinct of Dorrigo National Park. To get there:

From Armidale:

• Drive east along the Waterfall Way for approximately 90 minutes
• Turn left into Dome Road approximately 2km after you pass through Dorrigo

From Coffs Harbour:

• Travel south along the Pacific Highway
• After crossing the Bellinger River, take the Waterfall Way exit to Dorrigo via Bellingen
• Turn right at Dome Road and continue for approximately 1.6km to the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre.

Road quality

• Sealed roads

Vehicle access

• 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

• All weather

Parking is available in a large carpark at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, including 6 accessible parking spaces.

Best times to visit

The weather at Dorrigo National Park can vary from warm to mild to cool, depending on the time of year you visit. The summer months usually have the highest rainfall.

The rainforest is alive with birdlife - walk the Lyrebird Link for a close up view.

Escape the summer heat along one of the waterfall tracks and feel the coolness envelope you.

There are accessible flush toilets at the rainforest centre, including a change facility for parents and carers.

• Flush toilets

Picnic tables

There are accessible picnic tables at both the front and the back of the rainforest centre.

Drinking water

Wireless internet.

• Wireless internet (free)

Step-free access

• There's step-free access from the carpark to the rainforest centre along a paved pathway.
• Inside the rainforest centre, the area is flat and step-free, with easy access to Canopy Cafe, the Skywalk and facilities like toilets and picnic tables.
• Step-free outdoor pathways
• Step-free main entrance to the building
• Step-free access to restaurant/cafe

Accessible doorways

There's a large automatic sliding door at the entrance to the rainforest centre.

Seats and resting points

There's a bench seat with a backrest at the front of the rainforest centre.

Maps and downloads

• Dorrigo Rainforest Centre factsheet
• Dorrigo Rainforest Centre map (3MB pdf)

Safety messages

Mobile safety.

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS.  Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Accessibility

Disability access level - easy.

Dorrigo Rainforest Centre has step-free access from the carpark to the main entrance of the building along a paved pathway.

The rainforest centre is flat inside, with step-free access to all areas including Canopy Cafe and the Skywalk.

• 6 accessible parking spaces in the carpark
• Accessible toilets, including a change facility for parents and carers
• Accessible picnic tables
• Bench seats for resting
• A wheelchair is available for free use

Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy .

This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules .

Commercial filming and photography

Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office .

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

NSW national parks are no smoking areas .

Operated by

• 9am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
• 02 6657 5913
• [email protected]
• 142 Dome Road Dorrigo Mountain NSW 2453
• in Dorrigo National Park in the North Coast region

Dorrigo National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

Visitor centre

• Dorrigo Rainforest Centre 142 Dome Road Dorrigo Mountain NSW 2453

Provide feedback

Information submitted on this form, including any personal details, will be a matter of public record and will be stored in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) records system. You can find out more about how DCCEEW handles the personal information it collects online by reading our privacy policy . By submitting this form, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information in accordance with this policy.

The Promised Land Bellingen – Visitor’s Guide (2024)

The Promised Land Bellingen features remarkable natural rock pools and a crystal-clear stream that is surrounded by lush rainforest!

Located in the Coffs Harbour Region, it’s the perfect place to spend an entire day swimming, exploring, and relaxing in nature with your friends and family.

I have visited Promised Lands NSW on a number of occasions and have put together this complete guide to help you plan your trip.

Keep reading to discover how to get to Promised Land Bellingen, the best time to visit, things to know before you go, and what to expect when you arrive at this beautiful vista.

Table of Contents

QUICK ANSWERS – PROMISED LAND BELLINGEN

Let’s start this guide with the essentials you should know when visiting, such as the location, how to get there, and more.

WHERE IS THE PROMISED LAND BELLINGEN?

The Promised Lands can be found on Never Never Creek near the town of Bellingen in northern New South Wales.

The town of Bellingen is located just 30 minutes drive southwest of Coffs Harbour, and Promised Land Bellingen is just 15 minutes drive inland from Bellingen town.

To make it easier, I recommend setting your GPS to Never Never Land Bellingen or Never Never Creek, and you’ll find the location.

Click here to see the location on Google Maps.

HOW TO GET TO THE PROMISED LANDS BELLINGEN?

There is no public transport available to access the Promised Land NSW so you will need to have your own vehicle to make the drive out.

The road leading out to Never Never Creek Bellingen is unbelievably scenic, so I urge you not to rush and soak in the nature that surrounds this area.

Discover Cars is the company I booked my rental car with and I highly recommend them. They have many different categories of cars and the cheapest rates.

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BEST TIME TO VISIT PROMISED LANDS BELLINGEN?

The best time to visit is from mid-morning to mid-afternoon when there is plenty of sunshine around to warm up the natural swimming hole at Never Never Creek.

The water temperature can be quite cold in the early mornings and late afternoons, just a heads up.

If you can time your visit for a weekday, chances are you will get to enjoy this epic spot almost completely to yourself with fewer people around.

Promised Lands in Bellingen are known to be very popular on weekends so you can expect it to be very busy with many families and groups of friends hanging out here.

The BEST Hotel in Bellingen

Need a place to stay? Promised Land Retreat is conveniently located in the heart of Bellingen.

Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Promised Land Retreat is an excellent option!

ARRIVING AT PROMISED LANDS BELLINGEN

When you arrive at the turnoff, you can either turn right onto Promised Land Road, which is the easiest and quickest access to Never Never Creek, or you continue driving straight to access Never Never Creek on the opposite side.

Whichever way you decide to go, Promised Land Road is a loop road so you can drive the entire way around Never Never Creek.

I would personally recommend taking the right-hand turn onto Promised Land Road (the easier access).

It’s a short 5-minute drive down this road to where you will find car parking spaces available in a gravel parking lot, just on the other side of a wooden bridge that crosses over Never Never Creek.

If you decide to take the loop road and enter the Promised Lands Bellingen from the other side, the road is unsealed and only recommended for 4WD vehicles.

Once you have parked you’re vehicle, you’ll find many trails that lead down to the creek, and from here you are free to explore at your own pace.

Related Article: 3 Day Gold Coast Itinerary

The BEST Affordable Camera For Travel

If you’re on the hunt for a professional camera for traveling, check out the Canon G7 X Mark II .

This tiny camera fits in your pocket, captures high-quality photos and videos, and has Wi-Fi so you can instantly transfer to your phone!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE PROMISED LAND BELLINGEN

The Promise Lands in Bellingen features a lush rainforest walk that leads around Never Never Creek, passing by pebbly islets and crystal-clear rock pools which are far too inviting not to go for a swim!

The Promise Land NSW has many natural swimming pools for taking a dip, large boulders in the middle of the creek for sunbathing, and a few rope swings that are scattered amongst the trees if you’re up for an adrenaline rush.

Around the corner from the main swimming hole, you can find a parallel tunnel of trees where the stream runs directly beneath the canopy above. This is one of my favorite areas to explore.

If you simply want to sunbake in between taking swims or want to have a picnic, there is a large pebbly area on the side of the Promised Land Bellingen swimming hole where you can hang out.

I recommend allowing at least 2 hours to fully explore the region.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO PROMISE LANDS BELLINGEN

• This remarkable vista is the perfect place to have a picnic so be sure to bring something to eat and drink with you
• There are no rubbish bins provided at Promised Land Bellingen, so if you do have any trash or see any trash around the area, please pick it up and make sure to take it home with you and dispose of it correctly
• Never Never Creek flows to the ocean and we wouldn’t want any trash ending up there
• This area is extremely environmentally and residentially sensitive
• The community relies upon this river for its drinking water
• The community and the delicate ecosystem rely upon it being uncontaminated and pristine
• There are no amenities or facilities here and it is not equipped to handle high-level-visitation
• The area is surrounded by residential properties & dwellings so please consider the noise level and where you park
• The area does not allow or provide for camping of any sort but there are a number of accommodation offerings on the usual holiday booking platforms. Promised Land Bellingen camping is not allowed.

WHERE TO STAY IN BELLINGEN

There are dozens of accommodations in Bellingen to choose from if you wish to spend a night or two in the area.

I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Bellingen suitable for all types of travelers.

LUXURY: PROMISED LAND RETREAT

MID RANGE: BELLA VISTA BELLINGEN

BUDGET: DIGGERS TAVERN

For More Hotel Options In Bellingen, Search On Booking.com

WHAT TO PACK FOR PROMISED LANDS BELLINGE N

When visiting Bellingen the Promised Land, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;

Must-Have Travel Essentials

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More Australia Travel Guides

Click the button below to view all articles related to Australia!

FINAL THOUGHTS – PROMISED LANDS NSW

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article on Bellingen Promised Land and if you have any further questions, please feel free to leave a comment below and I will reply as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations about the Promise Land Bellingen or anywhere else to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

Search and book accommodation worldwide.

Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.

Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.

Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.

Search all rental cars in your next destination.

Need travel insurance for your next trip?

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

Click here to find out how you can support the site organically .

Many thanks!

PIN IT FOR LATER

10 thoughts on “The Promised Land Bellingen – Visitor’s Guide (2024)”

Just wondering how far the walk is to the promised land water hole and how steep. Pensioners here. Thanks

Hi Corinne, it’s not very far at all, just a few minutes on a flat path, you’ll be just fine 🙂 Enjoy!

Headed this way next week, thanks for the guide, do you know if dogs are allowed in the area on a leash?

You are most welcome! Yes, I believe it will be okay to take your dog on a leash. Enjoy 🙂

Hey mate I have a van also, any tips on how to get to that rope swing youve pulle dyour van up too?

Hey mate, you have to drive around the long way down the dirt road. Enjoy 🙂

Thanks for the great content.

We’re currently planning a North NSW trip. We’ll be heading through Bellingen after we have checked out the Waterfall Way, as we’ll be coming from New England National Park.

After reading your article, we’ll definitely have to plan a stop here. The promised land looks serene and tranquil!

Thanks again.

Cheers, Dan & Beck | Travel Made Me Do It

Hey Guys, glad you found this article useful! Enjoy your trip through NSW. 🙂

This place looks beautiful and I’m planning a quick get away here soon. Any chance if you know dogs are allowed here?

You’re going to love it! Sorry, I am not sure if you are able to take pets here. Enjoy.

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Where wonder runs deep

An exciting journey of discovery linking Armidale to Coffs Coast weaving through national parks, epic waterfalls, gorges and magical forests.

#thewaterfallway

The 185 km Waterfall Way is one of the world’s most breathtaking drives.

The Waterfall Way will take you on a journey of wonder and amazement as you follow the path of the water as it travels from the historic city of Armidale through five national parks, waterfalls, rivers and gorge country until it arrives at the pristine beaches of the Coffs Coast.

Start by exploring the picturesque city of Armidale in New England High Country, before winding your way to the bohemian village of Bellingen via World Heritage-listed National Parks, sweeping valleys, dramatic gorges and of course, lots of waterfalls.

West of Armidale, on the way to Dorrigo and Bellingen, you can watch the Guy Fawkes River plunge 100m over two waterfalls at Ebor Falls. Three lookout platforms along the edge of the escarpment offer spectacular views out into the gorge country. Nearby, along the Waterfall Way you can also hike through sub-alpine woodlands to the towering granite formations of Cathedral Rocks which are reached after climbing 400 metres over boulders.

The Waterfall Way offers further natural attractions to explore including NSW’s highest drops at the incredible Wollomombi Falls and gorge, where waters plunge 220m into the valley. Enjoy the walking tracks and picnic areas in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

The 30 minute descent from Dorrigo to Bellingen is a truly memorable experience as the Dorrigo rainforest opens to reveal the Bellinger Valley vista. With picturesque waterfalls to delight you as you slowly meander down the mountain, take your time to enjoy the journey and the view at the dedicated lookouts.

Highlights to discover on Waterfall Way

• 4 World Heritage-listed National Parks
• Wollomombi Falls – the 2nd highest waterfall in Australia
• Granite boulders in Cathedral Rock National Park
• Point Lookout – New England National Park
• Picturesque towns & villages of Ebor, Dorrigo and Bellingen
• Skywalk Lookout at Dorrigo National Park
• Dangar Falls – Dorrigo
• The Bellingen River
• Urunga Boardwalk
• The famous World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests

Feel the sense of adventure as you leave the rush of the motorway behind, slow down to explore the twists and turns of these country roads, and stop for a while in friendly villages and towns.

This scenic drive offers road trippers a diverse range of spectacular natural landscapes complemented by heritage villages and cultural experiences. The 185km journey traverses five national parks and winds through lush rainforest, spectacular gorges and many waterfalls.

Your journey starts in the picturesque city of Armidale, in New England High Country. This graceful city famed for its grand architecture and four-season climate offers a slice of buzzing cosmopolitan life in a picturesque rural setting. At around 1000m, Armidale offers visitors a truly evocative and unique experience. Where else can you experience World Heritage wilderness in the morning and indulge in the sophistication of world-class galleries in the afternoon?

At the cusp of the Great Dividing Range, the small rural town of Dorrigo is the gateway to the ancient rainforest and dramatic waterfalls of the World-Heritage Dorrigo National Park. Take a moment to enjoy the beauty of this land from Griffiths Lookout and a short 5 minutes from town you will discover Dangar Falls that cascades into a fabulous swimming hole.

The 30-minute drive from Dorrigo to Bellingen is a truly amazing experience as you meander down through the rainforest and along the Bellinger River. With the windows down you will immerse yourself in the rainforest; experience the birdlife and feel the spray from Newell and Sherrard Falls as you drive slowly past. The vibrant and bohemian town of Bellingen is a delight to explore. Packed full of funky eateries, boutiques, bakeries and art galleries within its heritage streetscape.

Explore hundreds of thousands of hectares of national parks and state forests.

Dorrigo National Park

Guy Fawkes River National Park

New England National Park

Wollomombi Gorge and Falls Picnic Area

Gara Gorge lookout

And be inspired by some of ours.

Cafe Patisserie

Armidale foodies seeking fare with a French twist head along Rusden Street to find Café Patisserie. This cosy café buzzes with activity as locals stop by for a warm buttery croissant to go with their morning coffee, in rustic surrounds of painted brick, recycled timber, trailing greenery and Edison bulb…

Tattersalls Hotel Armidale

The Tattersalls Hotel is now your premier destination in the New England, a major renovation and revitalisation project has been completed. With blended minimalist geometric forms, rich timber detailing inside the hotel, punchy jewel tones and elegant drapery to evoke the mood of a bygone age. The hotel provides you…

Loloma Bed & Breakfast, Armidale

There are some places where attention to detail really sets them apart. Loloma Bed and Breakfast in Armidale, is certainly one of those places. Rhonda Morris has been running the boutique accommodation since the beginning of 2017 and the moment she greets you at the front door and you glimpse…

Wild Swimming

Looking for a beautiful spot to cool off after exploring the national parks along the Waterfall Way? Well these picturesque swimming locations are sure to be worthy of an Instagram post or two? First stop Gara Gorge, or otherwise referred to by the locals as the Blue Hole. Gara Gorge…

Exploring the Arts

Both classical and contemporary music contribute enormously to Armidale’s cultural vibrancy. The old Teachers College is home to the New England Conservatorium which nurtures the Armidale Symphony Orchestra, Armidale Youth Orchestra, Fiori Musicali and many other choral and musical groups. The New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) in Armidale is…

Exploring National Parks around Armidale

In the depths of winter, mist can drape New England National Park like a chiffon veil, settling silently in the valleys and lingering for hours. Moss-covered Antarctic beech, which have thrived on the Great Dividing Range for aeons, assume a ghostly appearance on such mornings – and deep within the…