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. We ordered the curry which was absolutely beautiful. 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. This trail is estimated to be 4.7 mi long. After Dorrigo youll then come to the famous Ebor Falls (40 minutes away) whose upper and lower falls are well worth a visit. Black . There are a couple of different ways to get there, the shortest route being 6.8km return. 1400 m. New England National Park. Also a must visit is Brunos Mediterranean Kitchen which serves up excellent food. 2023 - Walk My World. Kid friendly Hiking Walking Running Forest Views Description 300m. Theres nothing quite like looking up at the twinkling blue lights which look just like constellations in the night sky. We used to talk about travelling the world together, and in 2012 we finally made that happen. Having hiked every trail in the park, here are all of Dorrigo National Park walks ranked. We absolutely love this shop which is full of Antique Asian furniture. 2.45 roundtrip walk from the Treehouse. Tarkeeth State Forest contains both plantations, recovering forests and old growth, and provides habitat for koalas, birds, reptiles, marsupials and more. The trail itself features a wonderful view from the top at the Lardner Lookout. 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. From this point, Wrights Lookout is just 700m away and the Cascades Trail is a 2.8km circuit. We tried the lemon and mascarpone and rocher (chocolate nut) flavours and both were fab. The Bellingen Growers Markets are held every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 8am-1pm to promote the local organic and chemical free produce to the community. Just past Newell youll see Sherrard Falls, theres nowhere to stop here so you just have to admire it from the car. The walking track isnt easy and takes 2 hours to walk nearly 6km loop. If in summer, take water, a hat and sun cream. So much useful information and tips! It is gigantic and thunders into a dramatic gorge causing a huge amount of spray. All the details on the walk and the glow worms are in this post. If you're keen for some serenity its best to go on a weekday or early in the morning, locals and travellers alike love this spot so it can get very busy. Its just a one minute walk from the car park so its definitely worth a peek. Once you walk in, youll be greeted by a hip, rustic restaurant. We absolutely loved it and dream of going back to walk it in winter when icicles drip from the giant basalt cliffs. There is a huge new viewing platform and a clear view across the gorge and of the falls as shown below. Weve never had such a reward for a failed koala hunt! Walk My World provides highly detailed guides for those who love to explore independently and seek out hidden gems. We recommend taking the slightly longer route so that you can also visit the exquisite turquoise pools along the way. Its not surprising when you catch your first glimpse. Andrew and i were about 15mins slower than Konrad. If you only have time for a lookout rather than a walk in New England National Park, then opt for Point Lookout. Bring the family along for a picnic on the idyllic river banks or burn some energy in the skate park. There is dense forest, mountains and huge rocky outcrops as far as the eye can see. 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. We used to talk about travelling the world together, and in 2012 we finally made that happen. 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. Here are all the details on our favourite things to do in Coffs Harbour if you want some more ideas. 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. People come from far to the Bellingen Community Markets. The community market also comes really highly recommended by locals but it is only on once a month so you have to time it right to visit. , Annual Agricultural Show operating since 1881 You then need to immediately pull over just after the falls, beside the picnic benches, to get a proper look. You will have a pretty big hill to climb up afterwards, but trust us, its worth it! Before you go - tips to stay safe. 4:38 pm CST. We think its even better than Byron because theres nowhere else in Australia that we can think of that has mind blowing National Parks in a world heritage rainforest with beautiful beaches on its doorstep, combined with local artists in a gorgeous little bohemian town. With dense trees ferns, hanging vines, strangler figs, colourful fungi and so many birds, its a really immersive experience. Whether you love wild swimming, catapulting off a rope swing or just having a picnic in a spectacular setting, the Promised Land will be for you. 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. Tue, 04/27/2021 - 04:02am. Not mixing up Dangar Falls with Dangars Falls, this one is located another 30 minutes from Gostwyck Church. The majority is fairly easy (providing the rock is dry and therefore grippy), but the very last bit is steeper and there is a fixed chain to help. Your email address will not be published. There is also a fun suspension bridge which offers my overall favourite view of the falls. Cottonwood Farm is a charming, self-catering B&B with 400 metres of Never Never River frontage, priced from $600 for two nights. Goolwa stands at the mouth of the river on Lake Alexandrina and derives its name from an Aboriginal word meaning elbow. 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. . Bellingen lookout. The trail is very leisurely to begin with before ramping up in the last 500m towards the summit. You can read more about the routes and other wild swimming spots nearby in our post on Red Cedar Falls. The water has shallow and very deep areas and there is a current, so after a lot of rain it is best to stay closer to the bank where you cant feel any pull. 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. Bellingen is surrounded by lots of great waterfalls, and one of the most spectacular is also one of the lesser visited ones. But as we already talked about that one we wanted to give a few other recommendations. Swim in the Bellingen River and bring a picnic, 15. Its one of our favourite beaches in all of NSW, and we all know how many amazing beaches there are here! The adjoining studio is $140 a night. This stunning stretch of golden sand stretches for kilometres into the distance and we saw a grand total of one other person on it, and that was on a Saturday in school summer holidays! Once youve parked you can get a slightly closer look at the falls as well as watch how it affects the traffic! It is a 30-minute drive from Coffs Harbour airport, serviced by several daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne on Qantas, Tiger Air and Virgin Blue. 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. 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. Coffs Harbour Jetty NSW 2450 Australia All trail besides the first section of bitumen from the carpark, sensational views along the way. The heart of the town is the mighty Murray River, which divides Echuca and the NSW river border town of Moama. They are open daily between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. 2.8 mi. Danny Deck Chair starring Miranda Otto and Rhys Ifans was filmed in Kilkenny House, a little further up the street. Wonga Walk - for a mysterious forest of wonder Distance: 6.1km loop Elevation: 210m Difficulty: Moderate The setting is truly awe-inspiring as it tumbles down a huge cliff deep in the ancient rainforest. 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. Subscribe foroccasionalupdates,, events and offers for our new guidebooks. 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! If you only want to take a quick look at the falls, you can get to a great viewpoint within minutes, its just 100m from the car park. This is a great thing to know because Bellingen in Summer can be hot so you can come to Dorrigo to cool down. Still damp from our swim, we make a pot of tea to enjoy on the shady veranda. They also do full moon & champagne canoe tours too! We initially visited the Bongil Bongil National Park to look for koalas, as it has one of the biggest wild koala populations in all of NSW. The next highest ascent trail is Bellingen River Paddle via Hammond Street with 262 ft of elevation gain. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 39 min to complete. 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. Whilst we didnt get lucky with the koalas we couldnt believe our eyes when we saw the beach! The reality is there are a few uphill sections and some parts of the track have rocks and tree roots to climb over, but its not a hard walk. If youre headed to Coffs next, we have a whole guide on the best things to do there. Freedom as you dash into the waves. 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. 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. Below, we have included a mix of our favourite walks to suit a range of abilities. 8. I am pretty sure the Urunga Boardwalk is the longest boardwalk weve ever been on and its definitely a Bellingen must do. 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! The walk begins along Slingsbys trail, stretching 6.5km to Lanes lookout along gently undulating terrain that's also suitable for mountain biking. 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! It's located at the end of the scenic drive, the elevation is 9115 feet, there is a parking lot, for there, you can go. 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 roughly 30 minutes from both Coffs Harbour and Dorrigo. It may be the slowest line of moving traffic youve ever seen as everyone tries to grab pics through the car window! Within easy walking distance to all of Bellingens cafes and restaurants the Guest House on Hyde gets rave reviews. The best accommodation options are in Armidale, Dorrigo and Bellingen, with slim pickings inbetween. Just be respectful as its a scared area for the community and always leave no trace. 10,000-mile walk includes stop in Delaware. They are currently open every day but Sunday. . The lower falls does have its own carpark but you can also walk to it along a paved path from the upper falls in around 5 minutes. Tracks to trigs allowing access for surveyors provided hikers with an opportunity to climb to many high lookout points. Hi there, ooh we havent written it yet, but will do so soon! Unlike the Eagles Nest, the 8km walk to Wrights Lookout and the Cascades is one wed recommend to keen hikers. We spent a couple of weeks in the area, uncovering all the top spots and hidden gems to help you plan the perfect trip. We had a table nestled by some gorgeous plants which made for a really lovely setting. When driving from Dorrigo youll first pass Sherrard Falls (which is also gorgeous but theres nowhere to stop), before you pass Newell Falls. Expect to see a loads of awesome stalls including home grown fresh produce, food stands and live music. Bellingen River Paddle via Hammond Street. The most popular hike in the Dorrigo National Park is to Crystal Shower Falls. Make sure you visit this gem of a restaurant! The majority of bats pass by in around 30 minutes after which point its just a few stragglers. Bellingen Lookout. The colourful monthly markets are also well worth a visit. All Rights Reserved. Homepage | Events Calendar | About Bellingen On-Line | Local Weather | Request a Link | Make This My Start Page. 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! 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. 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. The ancient forest along the Wonga Track is absolutely awe-inspiring in the true sense of the word. You can read more about the trail, including the track conditions in this guide. The interior has a fantastic eclectic vibe that suits the town perfectly. Waterfall Way. 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. Normally we like to try a variety of cafes so that we can give you a few different options on the blog. Everything you need to know about exactly how to have this special experience is in this post. 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. 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. We planned to visit at sunset but we were too late. Turns out it has to rain A LOT to see this. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. The second being the longer Wonga Walk which well talk about in more detail next. Its absolutely beautiful, electric blue yet crystal clear all at once. Posted: Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Youll see the pretty Mylestom Spit before arriving at a beach which has that wonderful wild and remote feeling. There is also a well reviewed cafe we had been planning to check out. Here you will find a small carpark and rest area with picnic tables. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Bellingen is a small town that is surrounded by green rolling pastures and the famously clean Bellinger River. Youll find everyone here from the local hipsters, families and your grandparents. 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. It's obvious, given the name the early pioneers gave the Promised Land, a scenic 10 minute-drive from Bellingen's township itself. Im not sure if anyone comes to Dorrigo and doesnt visit the Skywalk Lookout. At the height of summer, families flock to the utopian valley seeking relief from the searing heat by taking a dip in the cool, jade coloured river where tiny fish and eels nip at your toes. Along with Dangar Falls, Crystal Shower Falls is the most popular waterfall in the area. You'll pass through the grasslands of Killungoondie Plain, which the Gunbaynggirr People once kept clear for hunting and camping by using spot fires. Tish Facos is probably the best Mexican restaurant Ive eaten at the food is amazing here too. To get to the rope swing (which is also where one of the deep pools is) head north from the car park, along the trodden down path, and youll be there in less than five minutes. Bellingen Syndicate Trail. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. All the details on each route are in our Red Cedar Falls guide. It doesnt appear anywhere online (well until we found it and wrote about it) so you will almost certainly get it to yourself. Youll also visit two spectacular waterfalls, including the famous Crystal Shower Falls. Required fields are marked *. They don't have a big food menu, in fact it's just pizza, but I quite like it when places pick one thing and do it really well. VisitNSW.com is the official tourism site for Destination NSW. Walk My World provides highly detailed guides for those who love to explore independently and seek out hidden gems. Long before white man arrived on the north coast to build his beacons and towers, the Gumbaynggirr clans travelled between the coast and the tablelands along the Yildaan (dreaming track) using story as one of their methods of navigation.