Pizza is the food of choice here and theres loads of board games to keep you entertained. 2023 - Walk My World. 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. It doesnt look too hard to get to the bottom of the top falls. Since the inception of the national park and the maintaining of Robinsons Knob trail both the Bellingen to Point Lookout and the Reverse Point Lookout to Bellingen routes have become consistent long run attempts in the local community. There was also a gorgeous shop which sold a variety of beautiful furniture and trinkets from Asia, which was right up my street, if not my budget! Before you go - tips to stay safe. There are some beautiful options when looking for Bellingen accommodation. Dont let that put you off its super quiet here and oh my, waking up with the views is just stunning. What we thought we were looking at was a picture from somewhere in The Amazon! 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. Weve watched this kind of bat exodus in a few different places and the great thing about Bellingen is that they fly high above you and you dont need to bring a poncho if you know what I mean.. There are actually two waterfalls, Wollomombi and Chandler falls, which cascade into an immense gorge. This helps towards the costs of running our website. 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. Wonga Walk - for a mysterious forest of wonder Distance: 6.1km loop Elevation: 210m Difficulty: Moderate Its an affordable option run by the beautiful Amanda. Tracks to trigs allowing access for surveyors provided hikers with an opportunity to climb to many high lookout points. Its a spellbinding view and always a difficult spot to leave. Ebor Falls should not be missed. See promisedlandretreat.com.au. 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. The walk begins along Slingsbys trail, stretching 6.5km to Lanes lookout along gently undulating terrain that's also suitable for mountain biking. Point Lookout - Bellingen (NSW, Australia). Heres What It Looks Like! Link. 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. Two grandiose waterfalls and an amazing scenic walk along the escarpment edge. This is a great thing to know because Bellingen in Summer can be hot so you can come to Dorrigo to cool down. But in Bellingen, things only get better. Bellingen On-line links you to local businesses, restaurants, accommodation, events, activities, maps, as well as art, craft and produce markets, and tourist information. Bring a picnic with you and chill out on the grass. Walk 3: Rotary Lookout and Tarkeeth State Forest Circuit This is an excellent walk for those wanting an overview . In normal conditions, the view will be good, but its less about the falls than it is about the mountains and forest. If you get a completely clear sky you will be able to see all the way to the coast. 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. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. The colourful monthly markets are also well worth a visit. Its not surprising when you catch your first glimpse. 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/. 2023 - Walk My World. Another 30 minute drive south of Armidale will bring you to the beautiful Gostwyck Church in Uralla. Its just a one minute walk from the car park so its definitely worth a peek. Theres plenty to do in the area; from looking out for turtles at Muttonbird Island, to kayaking along the emerald creek, saying hello to the local kangaroos at Look At Me Now Headland and keeping an eye out for koalas at the botanic garden. This is an iconic boardwalk you really have to see for yourself. Also located along the Waterfall Way and roughly a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Bellingen, youll find Cathedral Rock National Park. Bellingen lookout. 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). 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. This time we hit up Hearthfire Bakery first and ended up going back four times. It was incredible. 10 reasons you need to stay at The Belfry Guesthouse in Bellingen, How to get to the bottom of Dangar Falls in Dorrigo, 10 reasons to do the Crystal Shower Falls walk in Dorrigo National Park, 22 Places To Stop On Your Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip, If you found this post helpful, please share it to your Facebook below , Hi Annie, just wanted to thank you for this post. Tarkeeth. Another time we stayed at North Farm, a small hobby farm owned by one of George Negus' former producers and offering fabulous views of Bindarri National Park to the north. It is no exaggeration to say its one of our favourite walks in all of Australia - and weve done A LOT of walks! The setting is truly awe-inspiring as it tumbles down a huge cliff deep in the ancient rainforest. Directly on route between Bellingen and Coffs Harbour, but slightly off the Waterfall Way, you'll . It is simply sensational and so powerful that sitting and staring for a while is pretty much mandatory. It has a wonderful swimming hole at the base and the area feels wild and remote. 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! Not to mention the friendly staff. The picturesque township of Murwillumbah is located at the heart of the lush Tweed Valley on the banks of the Tweed River on NSW's far north coast. If in summer, take water, a hat and sun cream. Bring a picnic with you and chill out on the grass. From this point, Wrights Lookout is just 700m away and the Cascades Trail is a 2.8km circuit. Take the side trip to Skywalk Lookout for views over the area. 8. More information about this trail. 9. Just past Newell youll see Sherrard Falls, theres nowhere to stop here so you just have to admire it from the car. Every time we come to Bellingen, we have to visit both Cargo Lane and Hammond & Wheatley Emporium for sure. Waterfall Way. We went for sunset but it would be spectacular at any time of day. If passing through, you might not understand the amount of things to do in Bellingen, that youll want to come back time and time again. Just be respectful as its a scared area for the community and always leave no trace. From here its more like boulder hopping, which makes for a fun challenge. Bring your swimmers because youll find crystal clear swimming holes in the Never Never River to swim in. The final stretch is a steep few steps up to the summit, with a chain to help you with the gradient. Check out the reviews and prices on: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. If youre headed to Coffs next, we have a whole guide on the best things to do there. So here are the major stops, hidden gems and highlights to help you plan your trip along the Waterfall Way. 2010 Peter Mitchell, Other regional tourist portals: Coffs Harbour | Valla Beach | Scotts Head | Auckland. Surrounded by century-old homes, this timber and weatherboard beauty is bounded by beautiful established gardens and offers serene views of the valley and pastureland from the wrap-around veranda. Bellingen is 520 kilometres north of Sydney, just inland from the mid-north coast. 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. This short circuit wheelchair-accessible walk in Dorrigo National Park is a great spot to hear and see some of the 150 bird species in the park. We ordered the curry which was absolutely beautiful. You can read more details on the track in our Eagles Nest guide. Were planning a waterfall trip at the end of February so Im using your travel tips a lot. Turns out that just a 30minute drive on from Ebor Falls and youll come to this magical spot called Wollomombi Gorge. If youre looking for more walks nearby, check out the Cathedral Rock National Park too and hike up to the Cathedral Rock. One night we find ourselves on the veranda of a century old weatherboard cottage, Oak Street Food and Wine. Bellingen River Paddle via Hammond Street. And its not called Waterfall Way for nothing. Weve never had such a reward for a failed koala hunt! 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. What more could you ask for? This gets very steep. 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. walk south of Bellingen to the lookout. Both the Wrights Lookout Track and the Cascades Trail begin at Robinsons Knob trail car park. Primarily because it is one of the longest Point to Point trail runs in the area, and also because of the iconic start/finish location at Point Lookout, which is the highest prominent point in the geographic area. Hi! Coffs Harbour Jetty NSW 2450 Australia By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: Today, the Business Chamber of Spanish Lookout informed that most businesses will close at 12 noon so that they join in . It will take you about 60 to 65 minutes. Were we to return we have our eye on the Lookout Mountain Retreat. All the details on each route are in our Red Cedar Falls guide. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. If it was in Sydney, Id definitely be a regular! Tarkeeth State Forest contains both plantations, recovering forests and old growth, and provides habitat for koalas, birds, reptiles, marsupials and more. 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. . Our favourite spot however is No. Some places are so beautiful; it feels like holy ground. Check out Hammond & Wheatley Emporium All this is just a few minutes walk from Ebor Falls car park. Via Hill Street. 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. We planned to visit at sunset but we were too late. It's become something of a ritual, that whenever we arrive in town we head straight for the Bellinger River. There is so much good food and beautiful places to discover in this little town so stick . As you pass over the Never Never Creek not far from the historic Glennifer Hall, you cross NSW's cleanest tributary, the Bellinger River. Here you will find a small carpark and rest area with picnic tables. cream. The drive from Bellingen spirals upwards to the rich red soil of Dorrigo plateau through towering rainforest, past gushing waterfalls and the Bellinger River. The walking track we took is the Bundagaree Rainforest Walk, a 6km circuit. 1. There arent any signposts to get you there, but we put the directions in this post. There are lots of old heritage buildings to explore throughout the city and a great winery nearby. 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. 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. Other places to consider include Cedar Bar & Kitchen which is located in an old church, People of Coffee which is a cool cafe located in an old petrol station, The Old Butter Factory and the retro vibes of Bellingen Gelato. Does not cater for people with access needs. Its a 5.5 hour drive from Sydney, which becomes a lot longer if you go in the school holidays or weekends (it took us about 7 hours to get to Armidale at Christmas!). Heres our 27 things to do in Bellingen you need to know about which surrounds a whopping five national parks. Check out some trails with historic sights or adventure through the nature areas surrounding Bellingen that are perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts at any skill level. With its abundance of leafy trees and parks, Grafton is one of Australia's most beautiful provincial cities, renowned for its jacaranda trees, graceful old buildings, and its location on the banks of the majestic Clarence River. 16 amazing things to do in Bellingen including secret spots, Roys Peak vs Isthmus Peak: views, difficulty, crowds and more, 13 Incredible things to do in Waitomo: so much more than just a day trip, 15 incredible things to do in Armidale for the perfect New England trip, All the unmissable stops along the Waterfall Way, 6 Stunning Walks in New England National Park, NSW, Lyrebird Track: the quietest walk in New England National Park, Wrights Lookout with the Cascades Trail: the best trail in New England NP, Eagles Nest Walking Track - A beautiful walk through Antarctic Beech Forest, Tea Tree Falls - the hidden waterfall along the Waterfall Way, All of Dorrigo National Park Walks Ranked, 13 Things to do in Dorrigo that will instantly put it on your bucket list, Cathedral Rock Summit Walk - the best sunset spot in New England, Rosewood Creek Circuit: rainforest, wild swimming and waterfalls in Dorrigo National Park, Dangars Falls - which lookouts are worth the walk, Red Cedar Falls: the most beautiful swimming spot in Dorrigo National Park, Wonga Walk - The Secrets of one of NSW's Best Day Walks, Apsley Falls - the best walks and lookouts at this beautiful waterfall, The hidden secret at Crystal Shower Falls that no one tells you about, Wollomombi Falls - the best lookouts to see this incredible waterfall, The Kindness of Strangers: 10 travel moments that restored my faith in humanity, What it's like to give it all up to travel in your 30's. This historic port town, located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, is where the Murray River meets the sea. Its worth noting that for all three spots weve mentioned in New England National Park, you do have to negotiate a stretch of dirt road, it has potholes but no special clearance was needed when we visited. I'm Annie, the co-founder of Londoner In Sydney. The first falls youll come to is Newell on the windy road before you reach Dorrigo. How great is that? 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. View Larger Map 2 hour round trip walk from the Treehouse. If you thought you had to visit Queensland for electric blue swimming holes, then think again. Its a friendly, relaxed tasting and I really enjoyed everything I tried. 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. On Wednesdays they usually hold specials. We spent a couple of weeks in the area, uncovering all the top spots and hidden gems to help you plan the perfect trip. 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). Isaiah Glen Shields poses on US 13 near Felton next to his handmade supply cart. Turns out it has to rain A LOT to see this. 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. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Part of the best-selling Woodslane Walking Guides series. 1: Take a dip at the sublime Promised Land2: Hike through the rainforest to beach paradise3: Go wine tasting4: Watch thousands of flying foxes at sunset5: Gorge on gelato in a tropical courtyard6: Admire the ocean and wetlands at Urunga Boardwalk7: Marvel at the ancient rainforest on the Wonga Walk8: Visit Dorrigos tallest waterfall9: Indulge at Bellingens best cafe10: Hit the beach!11: Go shopping for local handicrafts12: Visit the secret glow worm colony13: Try the local brews at Bellingen Brewery14: Check out the local community markets15: Drive the spectacular Waterfall Way16: Catch a sunset at the summit of Cathedral Rock. They are open daily between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. There are many accessible boardwalks and walking paths, along with more challenging bushwalks. 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. The Waterfall Way is one of New South Wales premier road trips, taking you from New England to the coast via incredible waterfalls, ancient rainforest and beautiful hiking trails. Be prepared, youll want a full day to spend taking in the swimming holes, and national parks here. 10,000-mile walk includes stop in Delaware. Nearby is a mix of quaint seaside villages, wineries and incredible stretches of often deserted coastline. There is also a fun suspension bridge which offers my overall favourite view of the falls. It is so worth it for the chance to visit such a special area though. Theres nothing quite like looking up at the twinkling blue lights which look just like constellations in the night sky. Im not sure if anyone comes to Dorrigo and doesnt visit the Skywalk Lookout. Bellingen is such a creative town full of hidden gems, that theres so many festivals happening throughout the year. The Old Butter Factory is open 7 days a week but individual shops may have different opening times, so if one in particular takes your fancy it is best to check timings directly with them. A superb kayak down Bellingen River. When she needs to go faster, she rides a Red Beemer (F700GS). Towards the end of our walk, we stop at Lardner Lookout to admire the view across the Bellinger valley, before descending to Hill Street and a cafe in Bellingen. Bongil Bongil National Park is a 30 minute drive from Bellingen. The community markets are on the 3rd Saturday of every month and sell a mix of food and local crafts - think soap, essential oil, candles, jewellery and clothes. The city has wide streets, elegant Victoria-era buildings and the glorious river passing through. Go wine tasting with a view Most people visit the award winning Raleigh Winery for its fabulous restaurant with a terrace overlooking the vines and river. They fly out en-masse from their home on Bellingen Island every evening at dusk. privacy policy. Walking Bellingen Shire Forest, Lookout, Cafe Grade 3 One way 8.7 km 3 hours 300m 310 m Tarkeeth State Forest Start location: 74 Mount St, Fernmount NSW 2454, Australia Before you go - tips to stay safe Fernmount to Bellingen You will need a car shuffle or a taxi ride as this is a one way walk, although it can be walked in either direction. 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. Qudo is only open from Wednesday Saturday. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bellingen is Bellingen River Paddle via Hammond Street. We had a table nestled by some gorgeous plants which made for a really lovely setting. 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. We visited multiple times because it looks so different depending on the conditions. A paved walkway will take you to a glow worm colony that lives on an overhang behind the waterfall. 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. Further up the coast towards Coffs Harbour we also recommend visiting Mylestom and Sawtell Beaches. The map below (blue line) is a short walk south of Bellingen to the lookout. Want to make the most of the river in town? If you try to get to the bottom of either of them, please always take care and do your research before attempting it. The best place to take it all in is from Lavender Bridge, right in town. The 4-star bed & breakfast is a short walk from Markets. VisitNSW.com is the official tourism site for Destination NSW. The city hosts the annual Jacaranda Festival and boasts a fine regional art gallery. SUBSCRIBE TO GET YOUR FREE SYDNEY E-GUIDE. Youll find everyone here from the local hipsters, families and your grandparents. It is a town which historically serviced the surrounding dairy farmers and timber cutters. This is THE spot to see the Green River flowing through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. By ELKW. There are many other viewpoints located along two walking tracks. Trigonometric surveying in NSW commenced in 1867 with a baseline at Lake George, and some 6000 trig stations were established over the next 150 years to create a control network for NSW. You can read more about the routes and other wild swimming spots nearby in our post on Red Cedar Falls. I am plannig my summer trip from Sydney up to Byron (or maybe even further) over Christmas and I am so happy finding your blog! It's a hot and sticky morning on market day, so afterwards we head for the hills the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo rainforest one of the top 10 most visited parks in NSW and one of the highlights of the Waterfall Way, a scenic route that runs from New England to Coffs Harbour. If there has been a lot of heavy rain the flow will be too strong, as it was for us, but you can still take a shower in the spray - its that powerful! Theres a lot to love about the cute little bohemian town of Bellingen: the laid back atmosphere, the incredible food, and the spectacular nature that surrounds it. Its perfect for lazing on the sand or going for a stroll (because the sand is compact and easy to walk on) and the one person we did see had a surfboard so it must be good for that too! Bellingen lookout. After parking your vehicle you will walk a two hour round trip to Stony Gully. If youre feeling adventurous and want to return to the rainforest at night youll find that Crystal Shower Falls hides a nighttime secret a magical glow worm colony! 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. Looking for the best hiking trails in Bellingen? The 2.2km circuit track has a little bit of everything, with huge old Antarctic beech trees dripping in moss, a giant weeping rock, and some fabulous mountain views. You could cover, The Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival is one of the most unique and exciting regional literary festivals in Australia. then it may just be the highlight of your entire trip - it was for us! For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. 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. 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, Join 2,097 others in the Coffs Trails community. Uranga Beach permits dogs off-leash Hammond & Wheatley Emporium. The "Down" version startsat the Point Lookout Carpark this routes makes its way down Robinsons knob trail before heading onto Horseshoe Rd and eventually Hospital range road into Bellingen. It feels like a cross between the refined village of Bangalow, tucked inland from Byron Bay, and the alternative hippy hub of Nimbin. Pop into Hyde for a coffee, we love this cool cafe! When taking a dip in the water here, please dont wear sunscreen or insect repellant which harms the local wildlife (there are always plenty of shady spots so you dont need to worry about getting burnt). The superior suite looks the pick of the bunch with a huge free standing bath tub. We take one last swim with the locals at our favourite swimming hole in the Promised Land, before heading home. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 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. Its honestly one of the top attractions in Dorrigo National Park. Here the land is so abundantly verdant and fruitful; it literally drips with milk and honey. Its a fantastic hike, although I didnt find the final part of the walk easy which Ive explained in detail in this post. bellingen attractions Waterfall Way Scenic Drive Overview 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. When youre in the mood for a relaxed mooch around the shops, the Old Butter Factory is the place to head. Bellingen's former famed restaurant No. It's cooked in the wood fire oven right in front of you and there's a variety of toppings. Its a bit of a drive but its definitely worth it if you love hiking or watching the sunset, or preferably both! Getting there Almost halfway between Sydney (5.5 hours' drive north) and Brisbane (five hours' drive. It would not feel out of place to round the corner and come face to face with a dinosaur! Awe as you make it to the snowy peak. Youll be given a wine menu and allowed to choose any six that take your fancy, or you can do what I did and say the kind of wine you normally drink and then theyll bring you various options they think you might like. 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. Tish Facos is probably the best Mexican restaurant Ive eaten at the food is amazing here too. The sounds are different and you will likely see different wildlife, as well as the glow worms, we saw giant snails (as big as your fist) and possums. From there its a bit of an obstacle course as you make your way over, under and in-between huge boulder piles. This trail is estimated to be 4.7 mi long. terms and conditions Its also quite nice to relax in Bellingen and enjoy the best coffee shops and food in the area after lots of exploring. We're Cat Smith and Joe Bird, two travel fanatics from the U.K. We both caught the travel bug on solo trips in 2003 and have been hopelessly addicted ever since. Four private ATM Provodore, IGA, Federal Hotel and Diggers Tavern. Enjoy the beautiful country views across 400 acres in this beautiful activity. 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. 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. We absolutely love this shop which is full of Antique Asian furniture.

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