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. If youre keen to see more of the lookouts, wed recommend reading our post on which lookouts are worth the walk. Bellingen is 520 kilometres north of Sydney, just inland from the mid-north coast. From there its a bit of an obstacle course as you make your way over, under and in-between huge boulder piles. 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! 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. Essentially what Im trying to say is, come at any time of day and you wont be disappointed! Bats often get a bad rap but personally I love them, and even if they creep you out you cant fail to be amazed by the sight of over 20,000 of them flying overhead! Its hard to turn on this long windy road and the pull off is not obvious so be ready for it! 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). Hi! Which trail has the most elevation gain in Bellingen? Your email address will not be published. All trail besides the first section of bitumen from the carpark, sensational views along the way. Unfortunately its a six hour road trip from Sydney which would be better for a brilliant long weekend getaway. Get our book of 40 fantastic Walks on the NSW Mid-North Coast, ,, events and offers for our new guidebooks, 25 Waterfalls Port Macquarie to Coffs Coast. Make sure you check out the local pub called The Federal Hotel which is next door to The Bellingen Brewery. Put this on your list for things to do in Armidale because weve never seen a more prettier church! Weve never had such a reward for a failed koala hunt! The 4-star bed & breakfast is a short walk from Markets. It doesnt appear anywhere online (well until we found it and wrote about it) so you will almost certainly get it to yourself. They did have some local products too but most looked to be from overseas. It really is sensational and despite visiting during heavy rain it was a while before we could tear ourselves away. The trail is very leisurely to begin with before ramping up in the last 500m towards the summit. 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. This historic port town, located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, is where the Murray River meets the sea. 2 hour round trip walk from the Treehouse. This helps towards the costs of running our website. 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. Our absolute favourite beach near Bellingen is Bongil Beach, that we mentioned at the start of this post. There is a huge new viewing platform and a clear view across the gorge and of the falls as shown below. . Just a 30 minute drive from Wollomombi Gorge is the beautiful town of Armidale. 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. A similar distance from Bellingen is Sawtell Beach which is another great option. Head down the river and enjoy the beautiful green scenery and aquatic life of Bellingen and its surrounds. but you know, Heartfire. A sense of belonging as you return to your favourite holiday house. Along with Dangar Falls, Crystal Shower Falls is the most popular waterfall in the area. 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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! Our next pick is Valla Beach, which is another beauty, just 25 minutes from Bellingen. That spray regularly creates rainbows and the whole scene is just breathtaking. If you are lucky enough to walk this track on a misty day (dont let rain deter you!) Theres even a rope swing if this all sounds too sedate. Once you walk in, youll be greeted by a hip, rustic restaurant. 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 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. Not only is the waterfall wide and dramatic, but it cascades into a huge swimming hole. It costs $195 for a whole day trip white water rafting with Break Loose. We walked for 3km along it during the busy Christmas holidays and ran into just one other person. Again, if it wasnt for our host at The Belfry Guesthouse to tell us about some of the things you can do in Bellingen, we wouldnt have known about the awesome road trip you can do down to Armidale which takes 2 hours. The map below (blue line) is a short Swim in the Bellingen River and bring a picnic, 15. 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 would not feel out of place to round the corner and come face to face with a dinosaur! 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. SUBSCRIBE TO GET YOUR FREE SYDNEY E-GUIDE. More information about this trail. 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. 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 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. If it was in Sydney, Id definitely be a regular! We love walking, so wed recommend the trail, it also has that emerge from the wilds feeling when you leave the forest and hit the beach. 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! See airbnb.com.au/rooms/2387682. There is dense forest, mountains and huge rocky outcrops as far as the eye can see. 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. Were about to introduce you to some cracking waterfalls and National Parks which need to be on your radar. 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. We stayed at the Hideaway Motor Inn and even at Christmas the price was good! We also recommend heading over to the Old Butter Factory to our favourite shop called Cargo Lane. Location. What we thought we were looking at was a picture from somewhere in The Amazon! Bellingen is located along the Waterfall Way, 520km from Sydney and around a 5 hour 15 minute drive. Here the land is so abundantly verdant and fruitful; it literally drips with milk and honey. The adjoining studio is $140 a night. 10,000-mile walk includes stop in Delaware. 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. Pop into Hyde for a coffee, we love this cool cafe! Its big, its deep and its very easy to access. This is a great thing to know because Bellingen in Summer can be hot so you can come to Dorrigo to cool down. Nearby is a mix of quaint seaside villages, wineries and incredible stretches of often deserted coastline. Sadly we leave Bellingen, our car filled with the smell of freshly baked pumpkin sourdough, the glove box crammed with local real estate brochures and a deafening chorus of cicadas through the open windows. Bellingen is surrounded by lots of great waterfalls, and one of the most spectacular is also one of the lesser visited ones. I couldnt find. We visited multiple times because it looks so different depending on the conditions. Overlook at Stone Oak Park Apartments 22202 Estate Hill Dr is an apartment building with 10 floorplans, and 1-3 bedrooms units available. One way. 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. . Rooms are comfy and cosy and after reading the reviews I wanted to go for the brekkie alone. Not to mention the friendly staff. Its an affordable option run by the beautiful Amanda. We drove out there just to see what its like and its absolutely stunning! 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. Our favourite spot however is No. Whether you are a family looking for relaxed stops, or an outdoor lover seeking the best adventures, there is something for you in this guide. There is also a well reviewed cafe we had been planning to check out. 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. 2023 - Walk My World. If in summer, take water, a hat and sun cream. Does not cater for people with access needs. Were we to return we have our eye on the Lookout Mountain Retreat. It may be the slowest line of moving traffic youve ever seen as everyone tries to grab pics through the car window! CountryLink trains run three times a day from Sydney to nearby Urunga and Coffs Harbour (about eight hours). Tracks to trigs allowing access for surveyors provided hikers with an opportunity to climb to many high lookout points. 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 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. Held on the third Saturday of every month from 10am-2pm. The relief of rejuvenation as you wade into an alpine stream. Start your trip from the north bank of Jarret Park near Hammond street. That makes a visit here even more special. The beer is great, as you'd expect, and even non beer drinkers will probably love the alcoholic ginger beer - which was delicious. We went for sunset but it would be spectacular at any time of day. Yvonne has been a keen hiker since her dad took her up the Drakensberg as a child. . The walking track we took is the Bundagaree Rainforest Walk, a 6km circuit. There are lots of old heritage buildings to explore throughout the city and a great winery nearby. Its less than a 20 minute drive from Armidale and one of our favourite waterfalls in the area. White water rafting on Nymboida River. 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. They are closed Mondays and otherwise open between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. Another morning we breakfast at the Hearth Fire Bakery, have coffee and a squiz through the interesting Hyde and then have a browse of the Hammond and Wheatley Emporium, an iconic building on Bello's main street. 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. You will have a pretty big hill to climb up afterwards, but trust us, its worth it! 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! Cathedral Rock Track Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 3 scenic trails in the Bellingen area. 1. Leonys Martn led off with a walk and Wong hit a line-drive single, bringing . 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. 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. It has building amenities including onsite management, fitness center, residents lounge, swimming pool, outdoor space, and controlled access. Theres no hiking involved to get to this waterfall as you can park up right next to it. They are open daily between 10am and 5pm at time of writing. Bellingen Shire Council. But the beauty of this incredible canyon is the pure silence. It's a place so special the fortunate locals that call it home, including its most famous residents George Negus and David Helfgott would much rather keep all to themselves. 2.6 mi. You can either access the beach directly from the car park or via the 3km flat walking trail through the rainforest. 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 love Sawtell Beach, its got a fab main street with a fantastic pub and some great little restaurants too which makes a great day trip from Bellingen if youre on your way to Coffs Harbour. But as we already talked about that one we wanted to give a few other recommendations. Weve had our eye on the following cottages and chalets which all have excellent views. Free, no car required and good for you. The most popular end is South Valla Beach which you can park right beside. Uranga Beach permits dogs off-leash All the details on each route are in our Red Cedar Falls guide. Then back down the hill and you're done, literally and figuratively :), Keelan Birch How that is even possible I will never understand because this beach is utterly beautiful. Further south, the beaches are looked after by Bellingen Shire Council. and You Can Learn Scuba Diving In Sydney? It's cooked in the wood fire oven right in front of you and there's a variety of toppings. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. When I was a a child, trigonometric (trig) stations were essential for mapping and navigation. They are currently open every day but Sunday. It didnt disappoint, not only have they got lots of delicious flavours to choose from, but the little courtyard with tropical plants offers the perfect shady spot to enjoy them. Starting at Coffs Harbour, the scenic drive traverses five national parks and winds through lush rainforest, waterfalls, open woodlands and farmland as you approach Armidale. Qudo is only open from Wednesday Saturday. I loved swimming here but if thats not your thing it is also a lovely picnic spot. The ancient forest along the Wonga Track is absolutely awe-inspiring in the true sense of the word. 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. Other highlights of the drive include the granite tors in Cathedral Rock National Park, Point lookout in New England National Park, and the Wollomombi Gorge and Falls picnic area, near Armidale, which has one of the states highest drops. 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. Heres our 27 things to do in Bellingen you need to know about which surrounds a whopping five national parks. By ELKW. Built in 1900 it still has the original brass shop front framings in tact and was restored in 1989. View detailed information about Lookout Pointe rental apartments located at 1200 Terrace Drive, Provo, UT 84604. Is there a separate article about them? With dense trees ferns, hanging vines, strangler figs, colourful fungi and so many birds, its a really immersive experience. Unlike the Eagles Nest, the 8km walk to Wrights Lookout and the Cascades is one wed recommend to keen hikers. The majority of outlets were selling locally made goods including art, woodwork and leather. Bellingen lookout. We planned to visit at sunset but we were too late. 25 Best Things To Do In Tromso Norway 2023 Winter Guide, What Our 5 Day Sumba Island Indonesia Itinerary Looked Like, 14 Crucial Tips For How To Get Around Sumba Island, Indonesia, The Real Story Behind Waimarang Waterfall In Sumba Indonesia, 5. Watched over by the commanding Mt Warning, and surrounded by five World Heritage National Parks, the countryside surrounding Murwillumbah is a blend of rolling green hills and gently flowing rivers, punctuated with pockets of sugar cane, banana plantations, hobby farms and small villages. After Dorrigo youll then come to the famous Ebor Falls (40 minutes away) whose upper and lower falls are well worth a visit. Ebor Falls has both an upper and a lower falls and both would be a spectacular waterfall in their own right. 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. As we sit on the deck, the cool sounds of jazz float across from Lodge 241 opposite and we muse that this is surely as good as it gets. You can read more details on the track in our Eagles Nest guide. The city hosts the annual Jacaranda Festival and boasts a fine regional art gallery. The interior has a fantastic eclectic vibe that suits the town perfectly. 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 walk to reach it is less than a couple of minutes and the view is nothing short of extraordinary. A 40 minute drive on from Dangar Falls along Waterfall Way and youll come to Ebor Falls. NPWS info: Dorrigo Wonga Walk (includes Crystal Showers Falls): Hungry Head (not always patrolled), (20 mins): Mylestom (not always patrolled), (20 mins): Sawtell (often but not always patrolled), (30 mins). This helps towards the costs of running our website. 2,100 m The "Down" version starts at 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. 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. The colour changes according to the light and can be anything from electric blue to turquoise to almost crystal clear. 37.9 km. Here you will find a small carpark and rest area with picnic tables. 9. Tastings are free, a rarity in NSW nowadays, although I do always buy a bottle! 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. The food is next level and our go to for breakfast. Promised Land Retreat offers three luxury self-contained chalets from $250 a couple per night. Just 15km further is Bakers Creek Falls, you view it from a bit of a distance but the setting is outstanding. For somewhere this majestic you would expect to find it very busy, but the walk to Red Cedar Falls puts many people off, with the shortest option being 6.8km (return) and theres a steep hill to climb. Take the side trip to Skywalk Lookout for views over the area. "I love it here," Wolfgang enthuses looking out over the view from the sun-drenched deck: "every day is different." It's obvious, given the name the early pioneers gave the Promised Land, a scenic 10 minute-drive from Bellingen's township itself. Be prepared, youll want a full day to spend taking in the swimming holes, and national parks here. Phone 02 6699 3800 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
, Join 2,097 others in the Coffs Trails community. The signpost says its difficult and recommends two hours for the walk, but this was double the time it took us and we stopped many times just to appreciate the scenery, as well as to take photos and videos. Although there are more amazing falls like Dangars and Apsley beyond Armidale, it would be too far on a day trip from Bellingen. Bring the family along for a picnic on the idyllic river banks or burn some energy in the skate park. The upper falls is the more famous of the two, and the one you will have seen in many photographs. Tish Facos is probably the best Mexican restaurant Ive eaten at the food is amazing here too. All in all a great choice for those looking to explore the area from the water. 2010 Peter Mitchell, Other regional tourist portals: Coffs Harbour | Valla Beach | Scotts Head | Auckland. 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. Kids tend to congregate around the first swimming spot youll come to, directly from the car park, but walk a little further down the path and youll find several other gorgeous spots. If you still havent had your fill of waterfalls, then wed highly recommend a visit to Scouts Falls. Green River Overlook. Isaiah Glen Shields poses on US 13 near Felton next to his handmade supply cart. With sensational wild swimming spots, ancient rainforest, dramatic waterfalls, remote beaches and even a winery nearby, theres enough to keep you going for weeks! As one of the best places to visit in NSW (in our opinion! 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. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. Tarkeeth State Forest contains both plantations, recovering forests and old growth, and provides habitat for koalas, birds, reptiles, marsupials and more. If you only have time for a lookout rather than a walk in New England National Park, then opt for Point Lookout. 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. cottonwoodfarm.com.au. Skywalk lookout is a 70m boardwalk that soars over the edge of the escarpment some 21m above the rainforest. It has a wonderful swimming hole at the base and the area feels wild and remote. Without a 4WD, it's easiest to access the beach from the Urunga Boardwalk (see below). The only thing not to like about the brewery is how hard it is to get in to! Go on a road trip from Bellingen to Armidale along Waterfall Way, 18. We visited on a cold Autumn day so swimming was out of the question for us. If you're running short on time, you can also just drive to the other side where you will find another car park. Tarkeeth. Walk 3: Rotary Lookout and Tarkeeth State Forest Circuit This is an excellent walk for those wanting an overview . The trail to Lanes lookout can be extended to include the walk down the syndicate trail to Bellingen. We headed up to Wrights Lookout for sunrise, which was very special if you can manage the early start. Bellingen: With an ascent of 269 ft, Lardner Lookout via Hill Street Trail has the most elevation gain of all of the trails in the area. Its wide and powerful and makes a beautiful shape as it flows over the rock. Its a fantastic hike, although I didnt find the final part of the walk easy which Ive explained in detail in this post. PO Box 4504 Posted: Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Did you know you can go white water rafting on the Nymboida River which is just 1h20m north of Dorrigo? Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.