Fast facts
- Laid-back, tree-lined town with a New Age vibe
- Set in a luxuriant valley beside the Bellinger River
- 547 km north of Sydney, population 2,750
Why go there
The town has enormous character and charm, thanks to the number of historic buildings that have been preserved.
Bellingen is a country classic, with faded weatherboard facades peering out from the verandahs that line the main street. The town’s New Age tendency is obvious in the whimsical architecture and in the cafés and street advertising. Bellingen is also the centre of a lively community with a high percentage of performance artists, painters, sculptors and craftworkers.
Bellingen is also a good base for exploring the towering rainforest of Dorrigo National Park.
History
Once covered by cedar forests, the Bellinger Valley was opened up by timber cutters. Most of the town centre was built between the 1860s and '90s, by which time it had become the hub of a dairying area. During the 1970s and '80s the town and the undulating subtropical country surrounding it became a favourite refuge for urban escapees seeking a more mellow existence.
Things to do
- Take a Bellingen heritage walk around the historic town.
- Take the scenic drive to Promised Land.
- Explore the walking trails of Dorrigo National Park.
- Take a dip in Never Never Creek.
- Go for a stroll around the bat colony at Bellingen Island.
Events
- The Bellingen Global Carnival in September/October is one of the funkiest of all music festivals, a blend of classical, contemporary and electronic music in a package that reflects Australia’s multicultural heritage.
Don’t miss
- The craftworks in The Yellow Shed.
- Bellingen Community Market on the third Saturday of each month.
- Shopping at the Old Butter Factory Co-Op, a studio and gallery for local craftworkers – well worth a look if you're searching for distinctive, one-off souvenirs.
