I've been living in Sydney since 2011 and am bringing you everything you need to know about moving to Australia, moving back to England as well as some fab tips from our travels around the world! The 6km paved Wonga Walk is nothing short of extraordinary. 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. The coffee is really good too, the best of our five week trip, and its an all round great brekkie or lunch spot. 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. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. It is a town which historically serviced the surrounding dairy farmers and timber cutters. Bellingen lookout. The road winds steeply through the lush rainforest of Dorrigo National Park to a height of 750 metres at Dorrigo Mountain. Tish Facos is probably the best Mexican restaurant Ive eaten at the food is amazing here too. "I love it here," Wolfgang enthuses looking out over the view from the sun-drenched deck: "every day is different." Additionally, there is a good motel in Ebor Falls, and a couple of cabins in New England National Park, which dont appear on any booking sites (nor does the Ebor Falls Motel). The bohemian town of Bellingen and the Promised Land is part of the mid north coast, which includes the rainforest escarpments of Dorrigo, the series of golden beaches from Urunga to Woolgoolga, stretching to the blue waters of the Solitary Islands Marine Park just off Coffs Harbour. Its also quite nice to relax in Bellingen and enjoy the best coffee shops and food in the area after lots of exploring. This helps towards the costs of running our website. 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. Our go to Bellingen accommodation is easily The Belfry Guesthouse located just a stones throw from the Bellingen Brewery. Uranga Beach permits dogs off-leash Cottonwood Farm is a charming, self-catering B&B with 400 metres of Never Never River frontage, priced from $600 for two nights. Swim in the Bellingen River and bring a picnic, 15. Its less than a 20 minute drive from Armidale and one of our favourite waterfalls in the area. Visit the excellent Tweed Regional Art Gallery, home to the Margaret Olley Art Centre, have lunch at the fabulous cafe run by well-known locals Peter Clarke and Charlie Ebell of Mavis Kitchen fame and explore the World Heritage Rainforest Centre, which documents the wildlife and botanical splendours of the region's national parks. Tripologist: Can we explore the Bordeaux region by train? We absolutely loved it and dream of going back to walk it in winter when icicles drip from the giant basalt cliffs. 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. 37.9 km. 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. 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. The trail is very leisurely to begin with before ramping up in the last 500m towards the summit. Tarkeeth State Forest contains both plantations, recovering forests and old growth, and provides habitat for koalas, birds, reptiles, marsupials and more. Wonga Walk - for a mysterious forest of wonder Distance: 6.1km loop Elevation: 210m Difficulty: Moderate There arent any signposts to get you there, but we put the directions in this post. #1 - Lardner Lookout via Hill Street Trail. 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. Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. The Trail to Lanes Lookout is an easy walk along an old road. There are a range of walking tracks to suit all abilities, including the accessible Skywalk Lookout at the Rainforest Centre that looks down over the valley to the coast, and the 0.56km Walk With the Birds boardwalk at The Glade Picnic Area which travels amongst the treetops for the best bird spotting in the region with over 150 species of birds Once youve parked you can get a slightly closer look at the falls as well as watch how it affects the traffic! 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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. 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. They fly out en-masse from their home on Bellingen Island every evening at dusk. We planned to visit at sunset but we were too late. 6. Constructed from local timber and salvaged materials, its full of hanging plants, cool artwork and atmospheric lighting. The view from the main lookout, (just a 200m walk from the carpark) is the sort of vista that just makes you stop and stare. 3. We tried the lemon and mascarpone and rocher (chocolate nut) flavours and both were fab. 1. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 3 scenic trails in the Bellingen area. We used to talk about travelling the world together, and in 2012 we finally made that happen. Weve never had such a reward for a failed koala hunt! 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. walk south of Bellingen to the lookout. No.5 is a well loved cafe that when we visited we had such a great conversation with the waitress who moved her family up here after visiting from Sydney. Its a fantastic hike, although I didnt find the final part of the walk easy which Ive explained in detail in this post. CBA ATM in a crevice next to Windsong Travel, 58 Hyde St, Bellingen NSW 2454: Google Maps: Two credit union ATMS in the Bellingen downtown. Again you must visit when its been raining A LOT to see the falls in action but the car park is located right next to it so you dont need to do any hiking. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Cathedral Rock Track Youll also visit two spectacular waterfalls, including the famous Crystal Shower Falls. You could spend a good couple of days here as a base for exploring the area and the sights along Waterfall Way. We had to start with the Promised Land because its such an idyllic spot and should be top of your list of things to do in Bellingen. Destination NSW acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the states first people and nations and recognises Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and occupants of New South Wales land and water. It is so worth it for the chance to visit such a special area though. That makes a visit here even more special. We visited multiple times because it looks so different depending on the conditions. Its an affordable option run by the beautiful Amanda. When we visited there was no water in sight even though it had been raining. If you are lucky enough to go on a misty day it might just become your favourite walk in the whole state. 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. Utes with farm dogs line the main street alongside Land Rovers, BMWs and rusty bicycles. We drove out there just to see what its like and its absolutely stunning! If youre wondering, The Promised Land is an actual place. Now she bushwalks in Australia, tramps in New Zealand, and treks internationally. We hadnt been anywhere in Australia that has a silence like here. There are actually two waterfalls, Wollomombi and Chandler falls, which cascade into an immense gorge. 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. Were about to introduce you to some cracking waterfalls and National Parks which need to be on your radar. The 6km circuit track is fully paved and though there are some hills, its not a difficult walk. , Annual Agricultural Show operating since 1881 There are many other viewpoints located along two walking tracks. The view from the main lookout, (just a 200m walk from the carpark) is the sort of vista that just makes you stop and stare. 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. If you're running short on time, you can also just drive to the other side where you will find another car park. cottonwoodfarm.com.au. but you know, Heartfire. Its an absolutely beautiful beach to discover and if youre looking for things to do in Urunga, we recommend going for a walk down the 1km Urunga boardwalk. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. The final stretch is a steep few steps up to the summit, with a chain to help you with the gradient. Frequently asked trail questions about Bellingen, According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bellingen is. A sense of adventure as you motor across red plains. Expect to see a loads of awesome stalls including home grown fresh produce, food stands and live music. Although there are more amazing falls like Dangars and Apsley beyond Armidale, it would be too far on a day trip from Bellingen. For just $15 for an hour (or $35 for 4 hours), you can rent a canoe from Bellingen Canoe Adventures and go exploring down the Bellinger River. Black . More details can be found in our Wonga Walk guide. Later I learnt more about previous protests over clear felling the Tarkeeth, the ongoing concerns of the locals regarding the Tarkeeth forests around logging wood for chipping, biomass extraction, and aerial spraying. There are many accessible boardwalks and walking paths, along with more challenging bushwalks. All Rights Reserved. Bellingen is such a creative town full of hidden gems, that theres so many festivals happening throughout the year. As one of the best places to visit in NSW (in our opinion! Its a magnificent view over layers and layers of mountains and takes just a few minutes to walk to from the carpark (if youre walking the Eagles Nest you will pass this lookout). A visit to the Skywalk Lookout is via gold coin donation. Yvonne has been a keen hiker since her dad took her up the Drakensberg as a child. This time we hit up Hearthfire Bakery first and ended up going back four times. 10,000-mile walk includes stop in Delaware. Located just over a 15 minute drive away, the 2km fully accessible walkway takes you along the Kalang River before you head right to a area of dense mangroves - kids will love the armies of crabs that march all over the mud flats (update for November 2022, this righthand section of the boardwalk is currently closed due to storm damage). 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. 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. As well as the glorious rainforest you will also visit two spectacular waterfalls. Via Hill Street. Four private ATM Provodore, IGA, Federal Hotel and Diggers Tavern. From this point, Wrights Lookout is just 700m away and the Cascades Trail is a 2.8km circuit. How great is that? The majority of bats pass by in around 30 minutes after which point its just a few stragglers. Just past Newell youll see Sherrard Falls, theres nowhere to stop here so you just have to admire it from the car. This is THE spot to see the Green River flowing through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. Its really spectacular. After parking your vehicle you will walk a two hour round trip to Stony Gully. Its roughly 30 minutes from both Coffs Harbour and Dorrigo. Its a beautiful clear day. The walk begins along Slingsbys trail, stretching 6.5km to Lanes lookout along gently undulating terrain that's also suitable for mountain biking. There is so much good food and beautiful places to discover in this little town so stick around and have some fun. 171. The majority of outlets were selling locally made goods including art, woodwork and leather. There are a couple of different ways of getting here, the quickest being the 3.2km return Crystal Shower Falls Walk. Thank you x. Thats amazing! Phone 02 6699 3800 Isaiah Glen Shields poses on US 13 near Felton next to his handmade supply cart. Thats a slight incline walk. Ebor Falls has both an upper and a lower falls and both would be a spectacular waterfall in their own right. If in summer, take water, a hat and sun If you still havent had your fill of waterfalls, then wed highly recommend a visit to Scouts Falls. They are currently open every day but Sunday. It really is sensational and despite visiting during heavy rain it was a while before we could tear ourselves away. You can either access the beach directly from the car park or via the 3km flat walking trail through the rainforest. We spent a lot of time in Dorrigo and have put a whole guide together on all the best things to do there if you have a little more time to go beyond the big hitters weve included on this list. We began in Fernmount, leaving the view towards the Promised Land from the Bellingen lookout, and the cafes in town, as the end reward for our physical efforts. Its a lot bigger than we were expecting as its also a university town where the University of New England is located. 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. The heart of the town is the mighty Murray River, which divides Echuca and the NSW river border town of Moama. 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 is so beautiful, we recommend walking over to the Lavender Bridge to spend a lazy afternoon swimming in the river which is crystal clear. Theres nothing quite like looking up at the twinkling blue lights which look just like constellations in the night sky. To get to the centre from the Bellingen exit on the Pacific Motorway, you travel along the scenic route of Waterfall Way for around half an hour until you see the signed turn-off for Dome Road & the Rainforest Centre. Bring your swimmers because youll find crystal clear swimming holes in the Never Never River to swim in. 1500 ft. Markets. Known as Australias hippest small town, youll love it if hanging around super friendly people combined with eating awesome food and having loads of incredible hikes, lookout points, wild swimming and waterfalls on tap is your thing. Here you will find a small carpark and rest area with picnic tables. 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. We walked for 3km along it during the busy Christmas holidays and ran into just one other person. Two grandiose waterfalls and an amazing scenic walk along the escarpment edge. They are closed Mondays and otherwise open between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. View Larger Map 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. then it may just be the highlight of your entire trip - it was for us! Visit Woolmers and Brickendon, authentic examples of Australian pioneer farms, take a self guided walking tour of the town, or hire a guide and have a go at fly fishing in the clear waters of the Macquarie River. Long-haired children run through town barefoot or leap boldly from Lavender's bridge into the river, looking like Peter Pan's Lost Boys. It's obvious, given the name the early pioneers gave the Promised Land, a scenic 10 minute-drive from Bellingen's township itself. 39m An enjoyable trail in the Mid North Coast Region of New South Wales, located near the small town of Bellingen. This is a great thing to know because Bellingen in Summer can be hot so you can come to Dorrigo to cool down. Its gorgeous and has a fabulous deep swimming pool at the base. Bring the family along for a picnic on the idyllic river banks or burn some energy in the skate park. When youve heard its the town Byron Bay used to be like, the standards are high. The city hosts the annual Jacaranda Festival and boasts a fine regional art gallery. It has building amenities including onsite management, fitness center, residents lounge, swimming pool, outdoor space, and controlled access. If youre looking for more walks nearby, check out the Cathedral Rock National Park too and hike up to the Cathedral Rock. 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! Its easy to spend whole afternoons hopping from one great eatery to another, but if you can tear yourself away youll find some of the best attractions in NSW are all within a short drive of Bellingen. Promised Land Retreat offers three luxury self-contained chalets from $250 a couple per night. Freedom as you dash into the waves. All trail besides the first section of bitumen from the carpark, sensational views along the way. Easily accessible, anyone can enjoy the panoramic views of the Rosewood rainforest basin. The drive from Bellingen spirals upwards to the rich red soil of Dorrigo plateau through towering rainforest, past gushing waterfalls and the Bellinger River. When youre in the mood for a relaxed mooch around the shops, the Old Butter Factory is the place to head. If youre feeling adventurous the most magical night time experience you can have close to Bellingen is to heard into Dorrigo National Park at night. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. previous protests over clear felling the Tarkeeth, concerns of the locals regarding the Tarkeeth forests. #3 - Bellingen River Paddle via Hammond Street. Some places are so beautiful; it feels like holy ground. We wont mention Dorrigo much as weve already talked about it in this post, except to say its well worth stopping at Dangar Falls, 2km from town. Despite being in the area a couple of weeks it didnt match up for us, but we think it would be a good one as Bellingen is such a creative place. The drive itself is supposed to be spectacular and the views at the lookout are a must visit according to the guys at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. The adjoining studio is $140 a night. Unfortunately the viewing platform for the lower falls burnt down in the fires of 2020 so you cant get a completely unobstructed look at the whole waterfall. 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. Dad took her up the Drakensberg as a base for exploring the area throughout... Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park to a height of metres... An enjoyable trail in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, located near the town! Details can be found in our Wonga walk guide enjoy the best Mexican restaurant Ive eaten at the twinkling lights... Longest trail in the Bellingen River and bring a picnic on the.. 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Been a keen hiker since her dad took her up the Drakensberg as a for!
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