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Bellingen has developed a reputation as the biggest little festival
town in NSW. From the highly-acclaimed world music of Global Carnival
in spring, to the swinging highlights of August's Bellingen Jazz
& Blues Festival, the town swells as thousands flock to revel
in the atmosphere. These events are complemented by Camp Creative'
s week of workshops in January, Bellingen Art Prize & the bi-annual,
mid-winter colour in motion at Flamenco Festival.
In
October, the Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival gets the plateau
jumping, while Urunga turns it on for the Urunga Food & Wine
Festival every Father's Day.
Markets are a great place to measure the community spirit and you
need go no further than Bellingen Community Markets, on the 3rd
Saturday of every month to see the life of this thriving region.
On the first and fourth Saturday, you can taste organic and regional
produce at the Bellingen Produce Markets.
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The natural attractions and features of the region are almost endless
as the coast and valleys rise into vast tracts of protected mountain
rainforest. The extraordinary range of birdlife includes kookaburras,
owls, crested hawks, pelicans, sea eagles, and cockatoos. The pristine
waters of the Bellinger run through National Parks, Nature Reserves,
rainforest and rugged gorge. All of these experiences are linked
by one of Australia's top scenic drives, Waterfall Way.
Dorrigo National Park contains one of Australia's most accessible
and magnificent stands of lush rianforests, World Heritage listed
for their exceptional natural beauty, diversity and conservation
significance.Perched on the dramatic eastern escarpment of the Great
Dividing Range, the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre provides a hub from
which to plan your rainforest experiences - from short elevated
boardwalks to challenging wilderness walks.
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The cafes
in Bellingen have coffee to satisfy - along with some fine local
tastes and flavours. You can take lunch at the Best Country Bistro
in NSW - Relish, or treat yourself to the fine 'chef's hat' dining
at Oak St.
If you have a taste for the fruit of the vine, try out Australia's
most easterly winery, at Raleigh Wines, or challenge yourself
to the exotic fruit wine palate of Waterfall Way Winery. Bellingen
has organics a-plenty - check out the extensive wholefood range
at Kombu or the produce markets.
In the best tradition of Sydney's Newtown and Brisbane's Fortitude
Valley, Bellingen welcomes individual expression and celebrates
unique style. Don't be afraid to slip into a kaftan, give your
Melbourne cup hat a second airing, or throw off your sandals and
walk boldly barefoot into your favourite cafe.
The shops offer just as wide a selection so that you can step
out in tracky daks and return fully coiffured and feeling sharp.
Check out the modern designs in Bellingen Emporium located in
the Hammond & Wheatley building, and among the nearby shops
you can set yourself up with a full range of summerwear and accessories.
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