Highway sign for Interstate 80 West, North Platte, Nebraska.

A Cultural Community with a Country Town Vibe

Bellingen (known as ‘Bello’ to the locals), a charming town nestled in the heart of New South Wales, Australia, is a haven for nature lovers and creatives alike.

Known for its lush rainforests, vibrant arts scene, and eclectic community spirit, Bellingen offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.

Visitors can explore the stunning Dorrigo National Park, enjoy the serene beauty of the Bellinger River, and immerse themselves in the town's lively markets, cafes, and galleries.

With its laid-back vibe and welcoming atmosphere, Bellingen is the perfect destination for those seeking a tranquil retreat or an inspiring adventure.

Natural Beauty

Aerial view of lush green landscape with a river, fields, forests, and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
Multiple oval-shaped, grayish-green pills scattered randomly on a white background.

Relax and unwind against the backdrop of the beautiful Bellinger River and blue hazed mountains. The river runs through the town, perfect for swimming and canoeing.

There are plenty of opportunities to experience Bellingen’s wonderful natural setting – from paddling a canoe on the meandering Bellinger River to watching the majestic sight of thousands of flying foxes taking flight as they head down the river at dusk.

Illustration of scattered light blue oval shapes on a transparent background.

Unique Culture

Famous for its eclectic mix of boutique shops, galleries and great restaurants, cafés, and bars, Bellingen was once a dairy village.

Retaining its country charm, this historic town is now home to a dynamic community of artists and creatives and is the host of a number of annual creative arts and music festivals.

Bello is just a little bit famous because world renowned pianist David Helfgott lives here.

We host many other fantastic events such as the Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival, and Bellingen Muse.

We even have our own super funky movie theatre that serves great food and is BYO.

Baileson Memorial Hall building decorated with colorful bunting and red lanterns, with a crowd of people gathered outside.

Dining & Entertainment

Live music performance at a bar or restaurant, with band members playing guitars and singing, audience watching, warm dim lighting, and tropical plants hanging from ceiling.

Bellingen is famous for its restaurants and cafes, which line the main street. You’ll find many full of local art and often hosting live music.

Buskers with many talents are quite common in town, especially during the holidays.

There is a huge variety of food on offer from fine dining to family-friendly bistros, cafes to takeaway pizzas and pub favourites.

In the evenings you can often find a local band or DJ playing at the pub, a great end to the day.

Eco Lifestyles

A cartoon black bird with a yellow beak, eye, cheek, and some yellow on its wings, flying against a white background.

Bellingen has been transformed over the years into an alternative hub.

Known for its colourful monthly market (held the third Saturday of the month), a great opportunity for a day of shopping with local artisans and sampling fantastic food. 

Or check out our produce  markets (on the 2nd and 4th Saturday monthly) and try organic locally grown produce, gourmet foods and handmade wares.

Combining laid-back charm, with a passion for sustainable living, the Bello lifestyle is quite different to the urban norm.

Woman smiling at a food stand with menu options, a sign that says "Ask us how!" and colorful geometric background.

Explore the Shire

Want to explore more?

Hit the road and drive to Dorrigo, which lays claim to the ‘World Heritage listed’ Gondwana rainforests of Dorrigo National Park, with walking trails and waterfalls.

Urunga is a 15 minute drive, a seaside town that’s a drawcard for summer holiday visitors. Here you will find swimming, beach walks and cafes.

Mylestom offers fishing, swimming and great fish & chips.

Sawtell boasts a fabulous array of cafes and restaurants, beaches and walks.  It also has a great range of boutique stores for shopping.

If you prefer a larger place, in 30 minutes you can drive to Coffs Harbour. Here you will find beaches, nature experiences, shopping centres, botanic gardens and plenty of things to do for the kids.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING AROUND OUR BEAUTIFUL SHIRE, BE SURE TO TUNE INTO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY RADIO STATION 2BBB ON 93.3FM & 107.3FM.

Two Polaroid-style photographs featuring outdoor nature scenes. The top photo shows a boardwalk over a calm, greenish water body with a mountainous background, labeled "Urunga Boardwalk." The bottom photo depicts a tranquil river flowing through a forest with autumn-colored trees, labeled "The 'Never Never' at Gleniffer."
Aerial view of a coastline with a river winding through green fields and forests, under a clear blue sky and bright sun.
A small waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff surrounded by lush green vegetation in a forest setting.
Wooden pier extending into calm lake with people fishing, surrounded by greenery and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.
Two people walking a dog on a wooden boardwalk over clear turquoise water, surrounded by small mangrove trees and distant mountains on a sunny day.
Scenic view of a forested landscape with distant blue mountains under a clear blue sky. Trees and grass in the foreground.
A person paddleboarding and another kayaking on a serene, clear blue lake with a forested shoreline and mountains in the background.
Large banana-shaped tourist attraction labeled "The Big Banana" in Coffs Harbour, with surrounding greenery and a pathway.
A long pedestrian boardwalk extends over a calm body of water, surrounded by lush green trees. The sky is clear and blue, creating a peaceful outdoor scene.
Aerial view of a winding river with a boardwalk, surrounded by dense green forest and mountains in the distance, under a vibrant twilight sky.