The scenic riverside community of Bellingen on the New South Wales mid north coast has much to recommend it to grey nomads.
The town’s main street is lined with magnificent historic buildings, including the timber, stone and iron lace Hammond & Wheatley Emporium.
As well as an impressive looking pub, there are cafes, craft shops and an eclectic mix of other ‘interesting’ stores. For such a traditional-looking rural Australian town, Bellingen has a surprisingly relaxed and bohemian ‘vibe’.
Situated in the Bellinger Valley between the coast and the Dorrigo Plateau, the town has attracted a large number of creative people searching for a laid-back lifestyle in a beautiful part of the world.
The stunning view over the Bellingen River on the Mid North Coast. PIC: Destination NSW
Visitors can get a real sense of what this community is all about at the famous Bellingen Community Markets, which are held on the third Saturday of every month. Here visitors can find a fantastic range of handmade arts and crafts, fresh produce, alternative therapies, live entertainment, and local food.
Another must-visit destination is the century-old Old Butter Factory which is packed with arts and crafts, and unusual items of furniture.
Although it has a population of a little over 2,000, that number swells greatly when the town hosts annual festivals such as the Bellingen Jazz & Blues Festival, the Bellingen Music Festival, and the Bellingen River Festival.
The Emporium Bellingen store operating from the historic and heritage-listed Hammond and Wheatley Commercial Emporium building established in 1900. PIC: destination NSW
At the heart of the community is the beautiful Bellinger River, and there are many places on its banks to enjoy a picnic, a quick drink, or to sample one of the pies from nearby bakeries. The bridge which links the two halves of the town (and which regularly floods) may be familiar to movie-loving nomads from the 2003 comedy, Danny Deckchair, which was largely filmed here.
Around Bellingen are a number of beautiful waterways and creeks, and a short trip out to the lush and luxuriant Promised Land is recommended.
Unfortunately, the local caravan park was abandoned several years ago after a colony of flying foxes moved in … but there is camping available at the showground. Many nomads also choose to leave their vans at coastal locations such as Coffs Harbour, Repton, and Urunga and make a day trip of it. This is an easy and a beautiful drive.
Heading further west is the mountaintop town of Dorrigo with its famous rainforest centre, and the iconic Waterfall Way Drive. The road between Bellingen and Dorrigo does get steep and twisty however, and is narrow in parts.
Despite its unique ambience and cosmopolitan feel, Bellingen can still fly under a surprisingly high number of grey nomad radars. Make sure it doesn’t fly under yours!
