If the ethos of Life Unhurried was to be personified as a place, it would be Bellingen New South Wales. Creativity, community, and nature seem to harmoniously vibe off one another here, creating one of the most laid back, yet exciting small towns in Australia.
On Gumbaynggirr Country, halfway between Brisbane and Sydney and 30 minutes’ drive inland from Coffs Harbour, this hinterland haven has long called to artistic types and those seeking a rainforest respite from the madness of city life. As an Eco Certified destination, Bello – as the locals call it – dishes up conscious, sustainable travel experiences without ever having to try too hard. It’s just called life here.
Not only is it blessed by Mother Nature, with rainforests that tumble by the roadside, and the ethereal Bellinger River that slices through it, but Bello’s food and arts offerings are among the most exciting in the country.
Bellingen has that cool kid vibe without the attitude. Instead, everyone is ready to welcome you with a hug, recommend another artist or business in the spirit of support, and make you feel like you belong. Creatives who grew up here have been drawn back to put down roots and inject an undercurrent of innovation. The person seating you for dinner could be a famous actress, the friendly gallery-goer you strike up conversation with might also be the next exhibiting artist or a film producer.
After spending a week in the Bellingen Shire, this is our personal recommendation for how to spend a day in Bellingen New South Wales.
8am: Start with coffee
Ask any local and they’ll all point you in the direction of Hyde. With a vibe no matter what time of day you pop in, it feels like the hub of the town – exactly as it has for more than 10 years since mother-daughter duo Jenni Bienefelt and Elyse Wright opened the store in August 2014. It’s the kind of place you’d make the drive for, even just for a little browse.
Along with excellent coffee, there’s toasties and pastries on the menu and racks and tables inside laden with Bassike and Nagnata clothing, gorgeous coffee table books, jewellery, ceramics, skincare, and covetable baby gifts.
For fairtrade locally roasted beans, head down the street to popular osteria, Fiume Bellingen where you’ll find brews by Amelia + Toby. The Toby in question is Toby Smith, founder of iconic brand Toby’s Estate, while Amelia Franklin is a co-founder of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance Australia.
With a cosy vibe, small outdoor courtyard and house-baked pastries, expect life-affirming brews and service with a smile.
9am: Or head straight to breakfast
The best breakfast in Bellingen New South Wales, in our humble opinions, can be found at H&S. This is the smoke salmon hash with whipped goats cheese, pickled onion, chilli oil and nut crumb and it’s a combination we won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
This little cafe does three things very well: espresso (on Melbourne’s Axil Coffee Roasters beans), house-roasted granola, and come Friday and Saturday nights, ramen.
If you prefer to pick up supplies to picnic on the go, head straight to Kombu Wholefoods. You’ll find organic fruit and veg, dip and crackers, and sourdough from Peach and Wolf in Coffs Harbour to assemble as your perfect lunch. Or BYO reusable container and make your own trail mix to take out on one of Dorrigo’s trails!
For over 20 years, they’ve run the store as a social enterprise in Bellingen New South Wales, supporting local farmers, artisans, and suppliers.
State of Embrace
10am: Browse the galleries and shops
Forget fast fashion and big-name chains – in Bellingen New South Wales almost everything on offer is locally made, organic or sustainable. Secondhand shops sit side-by-side with bespoke handmade clothing, and at The Old Butter Factory precinct you’ll find not only places to shop but working studios where you can get hands on during creative workshops.
Head to Retro Bello for a curated collection of vintage clothing and homewares. Owner Elizabeth McCabe has honed a careful selection process for what makes it onto the racks and shelves over the past 10 years, and it shows in her beautiful displays. The kids section, in particular, is filled with lust-worthy pieces along with retro toys and puzzles.
While you’re on a vintage high, pop into A Chair in There (pictured bottom right) for up-cycled furniture and vintage. The tiny space is packed to the rafters with art, homewares, and knick-knacks – think silver candelabras, crystal champagne glasses, and cane baskets. Essential shopping for anyone with a knack for interior styling.
At The Collective (soon to be called Handmade), one-off pieces are handcrafted with love by Bellingen New South Wales artisans and curated by local designer, Tania Angeli. Using natural fibres – think cotton, silk, hemp, wool and linen – Tania creates wearable pieces of art with a whole lot of love through her hand-weaving and hand-dying processes.
At State of Embrace, Bellingen New South Wales designer Megs Ferrier creates clothing that not only looks beautiful but feels good—both on the skin and in spirit. Nearly 90 per cent of her pieces are made from certified, sustainable materials, with inclusive sizing from 4 to 22.
Her limited collections, often inspired by the soft tones and textures of local botanicals, are thoughtfully designed and small-batch produced. It’s slow fashion with a strong sense of place.
If you’ve got a bit of a green thumb, make sure you poke your head in at Habitat – an old petrol station turned indoor nursery and cafe.
It wouldn’t be a trip to Bellingen New South Wales without a wander through The Old Butter Factory, a charming hub of creativity where time seems to slow down in the best possible way. Set in a historic building just outside town, this is a celebration of slow craft at its finest—handmade goods from artisans who take pride in every detail.
You’ll find the Nexus Gallery, showcasing rotating exhibitions from local artists, and The Silver Mill, where contemporary jewellery meets traditional techniques and one-off pieces are fashioned from recycled materials.
Just down the road, Bellingen Potters Collective offers a quieter kind of magic. Here, raw clay and calm energy fill the space, and even the shelves feel thoughtfully curated—each piece inviting touch, use, and appreciation. It’s a place where creativity feels grounded, and beauty is found in the imperfect.
2pm: Go down to the river
Anytime of day, you can be guaranteed to find others enjoying the Bellinger River, which slices its way through Bellingen New South Wales. Find the timber stairs that teeter to the water’s edge for a cool dip or cross the bridge to Lavenders Bridge Park to picnic by the river.
If you’re feeling more active and want to explore further upstream, hire a canoe or join a tour with Bellingen Canoe Adventures. They offer flatwater and rapids tour options, as well as sunset tours, and a dreamy Full Moon paddle each month.
4pm: Ice-cream time!
You know school’s out any given weekday when a line quickly snakes out the door at Bellingen Gelato. Natural and locally sourced ingredients are infused into the house-made flavours – burnt caramel, and caramelised fig and marsala are just some of the standouts but we can also vouch for the chocolate, if you’re a stickler for traditional flavours.
Their seasonal fruit sorbets span stewed plum with cinnamon and cloves to watermelon and mint and fresh nectarine. With sustainability in mind, the machines powering their gelato production are cooled using water in a closed-loop system, fed by the rainwater tank out back.
7pm: Seek out the best Bellingen restaurants
When the sun dips behind the hills, Brunos is where you want to be. Since opening in 2021, it’s quietly earned a reputation for delivering one of the most memorable dining experiences on the Mid North Coast. Every dish is a work of art—thoughtfully plated, creatively conceived, and bursting with flavour.
Local produce is undoubtedly the star, with sustainable, line-caught seafood, meat and certified organic vegetables while the cocktail list is just as considered—beautifully balanced, with a touch of theatre. Head here for a truly special night out.
For something a little more low-key but just as unforgettable, Charlie’s at Church is a local favourite with a big heart. It’s the kind of place where you’re greeted with a hug and seated like family.
The pasta is made fresh daily, the menu changes often, and it’s the kind of place where you don’t have to worry about the kids making a mess, or your birthday party getting a little too rowdy. Owner and chef Simon Jones, who’s worked in hatted restaurants overseas, has brought his world-class skills home but left the ego behind, which is so fitting of Bellingen.
Bellingen Brewery also hits the spot when you’re looking for a laidback dinner option. With its rustic charm and cool, relaxed vibe, it’s perfect for unwinding over a woodfired pizza—the potato and rosemary is a local favourite. Grab a cold craft beer, find a spot upstairs in the loft, and settle in.
Alternatively, head to a cinema with a difference
The Dark Room is one of Bellingen’s coolest surprises. Once a video shop, it’s been transformed into an intimate cinema showing a mix of cult classics and art house gems—think The NeverEnding Story one night, indie festival darlings the next. They serve homemade curry sometimes, and there’s still a corner that pays homage to its DVD past.
With its moody lighting and effortlessly cool vibe, it feels more New York loft than country town cinema. Big plans are in the works to evolve it into a creative event space, but for now, it’s pure, nostalgic magic.
Where to stay in Bellingen New South Wales
If you really want to experience Bellingen New South Wales like a local, staying in town is the way to go. The Barn is a beautifully renovated 100-year-old nook, tucked away down a quiet lane. It feels like a secret garden escape, with a leafy outlook from the deck, birdsong in the morning, and the kind of stillness that makes you slow down.
Thoughtful touches add to the cosy feel: a coffee machine, toaster, BBQ, and even complimentary Bello Honey. Perfect for slow mornings and barefoot evenings after a day exploring.
For a budget-friendly stay right in the heart of town, The Belfry is a laid-back guesthouse with a storied past. Once a classic backpacker hostel, it’s been gently reimagined into a casual, no-fuss spot to rest your head.
The rooms are simple but clean, and what it lacks in luxury, it makes up for with character and community—lush garden nooks to sit with a book or morning coffee, and a location that puts everything at your doorstep.
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