Bellingen is a pretty town of 13,000 people (2021) in a green valley on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales. Bellingen is slightly alternative lifestyle, with more than its share of arts, crafts and markets. It caters well for travellers.

Understand

Although it has a typically mild and tropical climate, it can really rain when it chooses to which it does almost every day in the wet season, and the low level bridge across the Bellinger river in central Bellingen is subject to flooding.

Visitor information centre

• 1 Waterfall Way Visitor Centre, 29-31 Hyde St, ☏ +61 2 6655 1522. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Su 10AM-2PM. (updated May 2021)

Get in

By car

Bellingen is located on Waterfall Way, which links the M1 Pacific Motorway with the A15 New England Highway at Armidale in the New England region.

By plane

The closest airport with scheduled flights is located in Coffs Harbour (CFS ^IATA); which is a half an hour drive by car.

Get around

The easiest way to get around is to walk. The town isn't big, but you do need an umbrella for the afternoon daily storm.

See

• Historic buildings
• Bellinger Valley Historical Society Museum. (updated May 2021)

Do

• A beautiful area to take a swim in the Bellingen river can be found along "Glenifer road". Take the first left after the Glenifer hall and find a park when you reach the first bridge after this turn off. Walk upstream along the river from the bridge about 300 m and you will find a wonderful deep swimming hole.
• Tours to Dorrigo National Park. The tours can be arranged in the Bellingen YHA, but only on 3 days a week (Mondays, Wednesday and Friday). Cost: $35 per person. (May need updating?)
• Dorrigo day trip. Transport only. Spend the day in the mountains at Dorrigo. Stops in town and at the Rainforest Centre. Walking path to Dangar Falls. (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday). Cost $27 per person with Dorrigo Transit. Bookings Essential.
• See a live performance.

Buy

• The Old Butter Factory, 1 Doepel Street. Arrays of arts, crafts and lifestyle gift ware, with much of the work produced on site. 
• The Yellow Shed, 2 Hyde Street, ☏ +61 2 6655 1189. Displays of crafts, artworks, jewellery, perfume, gifts for all ages and over 3,000 selected book titles. 
• The Mysterious Bee, 6 Valleyview Drive Bellingen, ☏ +61 2 6655 1501. A nature documentary filmed in Bellingen. $30. 

Eat

• Federal Hotel, 77 Hyde Street (Waterfall Way), ☏ +61 2 6655 1003. . 
• 1 Cedar Bar & Kitchen, 8 Church Street, ☏ +61 2 6655 1001. (updated May 2021)
• 2 Diggers Tavern (Old RSL), 30 Hyde St, ☏ +61 2 6655 0007. M-Th 10AM-9PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM. Diggers Tavern is one of Bellingen’s favourite meeting places with three-star accommodations, a beer garden, TAB and gaming facilities. (updated Oct 2021)

Drink

• Federal Hotel, 77 Hyde Street (Waterfall Way), ☏ +61 2 6655 1003. This hotel has a great range of draught beers on tap, a good wine list and bottled beers from around the world. 

Sleep

• Bellingen YHA Backpackers, 2 Short St, ☏ +61 2 6655 1116, fax: +61 2-6655-1358, backpack@bellingenyha.com.au. (updated Jan 2017)
• Bellinger Valley Motor Inn, 1381 Waterfall Way, ☏ +61 2 6655 1599, contact@bellingenvalleylodge.com.au. The Bellinger Valley Motor Inn offers 27 large, comfortable rooms. All rooms have air-conditioning and are at ground level. Outdoor facilities include a pool, recliners, BBQ area and heated spa. 
• The Lodge Bellingen (head 1 km west of town centree; exit left when you see the sign saying "Belingen Lodge"). Country Motel with pool, spa. Includes bell tents and alpacas. (updated May 2021)
• 1 Hil's Place, 11 Ford St, ☏ +61 419 276 110. (updated May 2021)
• 2 Koompartoo Retreat, 12 Dudley St, ☏ +61 473 631 754, bookings@koompartoo.com.au. Luxury couples accommodation at Koompartoo Retreat.
  Enjoy a secluded retreat within walking distance from the main streets of Bellingen. All cabins include an electric fireplace for cozy evenings, BBQ on the verandah and Nespresso coffee machine. Some cabins also include a large luxurious bathtub. (updated May 2021)

Stay safe

Be aware going in rainy season. It usually rains in Bellingen every day, and rainy season only makes Bello More wet, and difficult to visit.

Go next

• Take a drive or ride along Waterfall Way to visit the World Heritage listed Dorrigo National Park and Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
• The coastal centre of Coffs Harbour is half an hour's drive to the east.
• Be sure to take a trip up the waterfall way to take in the beautiful scenery and country atmosphere of Dorrigo
• Continue on Waterfall Way to Armidale, Australia's highest city.