Bellingen, North Coast — New South Wales

Bellingen is a town located in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales. It is the center of the Bellingen Shire Council, situated on the banks of the Bellinger River.

The town is a popular holiday destination, while recent years saw some city dwellers relocating themselves to Bellinger to enjoy its beautiful and peaceful surroundings.

The river provides ample opportunities for swimming and other water-related recreations. Canoe trips are offered by tour operators up and down the river. The river is also ideal for kayaking, sailing, and fishing. Locals and visitors flock to its banks to have picnics and barbecues, while nature trails are available for walking.

The Bellingen Valley is also ideal for bushwalking, with plenty of birds and animals to see along the way.

The town boasts of several historic houses and buildings that are well-preserved by its owners and the local government.

One of its most famous attractions is the Old Butter Factory, situated on the edge of town along Doepel Place. This structure was completed in 1906 and is now an arts & crafts complex of shops and workshops. Visitors will surely spend a delightful day going through the beautiful and high-quality items on display. This attraction is quite well-known for its reasonably priced antiques, pottery, woodcrafts, and a lot more.

Another interesting destination is the Yellow Shed, which also features similar items as those found in the Old Butter Factory. Now a Craftworks and Design Centre, the structure was built on the early 1900s.

Still another building worth a visit is the Hammond & Wheatley Emporium, built in 1909. It is a beautiful structure with iron lacework and a grand staircase leading to its mezzanine section.

Nearby is the Federation Hotel, constructed in 1901 and considered an important heritage structure of the town.

Those interested in the history of the town and its surrounding areas can pay a visit to the Bellinger Valley Historical Museum. This establishment showcases items related to the pioneering days of Bellingen, as well as some Aboriginal artifacts found in the area.

The town comes alive with several festivals it organizes annually. The Global Carnival, held in September, is actually an art festival which focuses on the culture of the town. Visitors and locals will be enthralled by several stage performances held, while workshops are also conducted for interested individuals. This is also the time when local artists get to showcase their wares to the public.

The town also hosts the Bellingen Blues and Jazz Festival, organized by its local jazz society. This three-day event is composed of numerous performances by jazz and blues musicians, and is a major crowd-drawer in the area.

During summer, the Camp Creative is held. Its primary purpose is to promote the creativity of local residents and visitors who are interested in joining. For a fee, the organizers offer courses in dancing, music, crafts, visual arts, and more. This event often spells a few days of fun and enjoyment for the whole family.

On the other hand, the Stamping Ground Dance Festival is an event participated only by males. Held every January, it features dance and action arts performances, as well as workshops by well-known dancing instructors.