Located on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, Dorrigo is a small town with big landscapes.
Just over an hour’s drive from Coffs Harbour and around 35 minutes inland from Bellingen, it’s part of New South Wales’ scenic Waterfall Way – a 185-kilometre road trip that links Armidale in the New England Tablelands to the Pacific Coast.
Travelling to Dorrigo from the north, we skirted the edge of Nymboi-Binderay National Park and passed through small historic timber getter towns, feeling our pulse slow with every kilometre.
But what sets Dorrigo apart isn’t just the road that gets you here—it’s the land itself. The town sits along the seam of rolling dairy farms and World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, with rivers full of trout, mist-covered escarpments, and deep gorges all around.
Dorrigo National Park, part of this ancient rainforest system, is one of the most accessible and impressive protected areas in the state, and it draws hikers, birdwatchers, trout fishers and kayakers year-round.
It’s also a place where a deep respect for nature and community threads through everything—from the local deli’s hand-sourced produce to the works of artists inspired by the forest outside their windows.
Whether you’re here to reset your nervous system or simply soak in the green, here’s how to spend one perfect, unhurried day in Dorrigo, on Gumbaynggirr Country.
7:30am (or earlier!): A morning must at Peaches Patisserie
Start early—seriously early—because by mid-morning, Peaches Patisserie will have sold out of just about everything (and for good reason). Tucked into a modest shopfront on the main street, this cult-favourite bakery draws a loyal crowd from across the region. Owner Beth O’Loughlin returned to the Bellingen Shire after honing her pastry-making skills in Melbourne, and you can taste the refinement in every flaky croissant and delicate tart.
Peaches is open Thursday to Saturday, and each day brings a new rotation of pastries, all made with care and seasonal ingredients. Join the queue, breathe in the aroma, and claim your spot in this Dorrigo morning ritual.
9am: Forest bathing on the Crystal Shower Falls Walk
With a pastry in your belly and the mist still hanging in the trees, drive a few minutes to the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre on the edge of Dorrigo National Park. If you only do one walk in the region, make it the Crystal Shower Falls Walk — a 3.2km-return section of the Wonga Walk – through mossy rainforest that ends with a magical moment: a suspension bridge that leads you behind a waterfall. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that feels almost cinematic.
You’ll be walking beneath ancient trees in a part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, and the birdsong, filtered light, and gentle roar of falling water will have your nervous system downshifting with every step. For a shorter walk, start from The Glade picnic area.
It’s also part of a larger conservation vision. The Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk—currently under construction—will eventually connect the Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre (set to open in the park in early 2027) with Bindarri National Park, creating a Grade 4, 46-kilometre multi-day hike through this biodiverse region.
11am: A toastie with a twist at Dorrigo Deli
Back in town, head to Dorrigo Deli for a late breakfast or early lunch. This welcoming spot is a hybrid café-deli with a warm, homespun feel. Order one of the deli toasties—a stack of smokehouse ham, Swiss cheese, and truffle black garlic mustard on sourdough is our pick—and you’ll be dreaming about it long after you leave. The mustard? It’s made next door by the Dorrigo Butcher, and yes, you can (and should) buy a jar to take home.
While you wait, browse the deli’s walls and cabinets of artisan goods—pastas, sauces, smoked smallgoods and other local treats that showcase the region’s sustainable, small-scale producers.
As an alternative, Components Café—a cosy, artfully decorated cottage just off the main street—serves a knockout Thai prawn dish and has the kind of warm, relaxed vibe that makes you want to linger. Think rustic ceramics, hearty portions, and friendly staff who always make time for a chat.
12:30pm – Creative pause at Dorrigo and Beyond
Just across the road, Dorrigo and Beyond is part café, part community gallery, and part love letter to the region’s thriving creative scene. Exhibitions here rotate regularly and feature a mix of emerging and established artists, many of whom find daily inspiration in the surrounding rainforest and farmland. It’s a beautiful place to sit, sip, and take in the intersection of art and nature.
2pm: Waterfall views at Dangar Falls
No visit to Dorrigo is complete without a stop at Dangar Falls, just a few minutes from town – there’s a two-kilometre pathway from town if you feel like walking or cycling. The falls are easily accessible, with a viewing platform right beside the car park if you’re short on time. But if you have the energy, follow the short trail down to the base, where the 30-metre waterfall crashes into a wide swimming hole surrounded by mossy rocks and tree ferns.
No matter the season, it’s the perfect spot for an invigorating swim. There’s even a sign inviting you to warm up afterwards with a hot shower for just $1 at the small retro caravan serving hot drinks outside Dangar Falls Lodge. It’s low-key, laid-back, and very Dorrigo.
4pm: One last breathtaking vista at Griffiths Lookout
End the day on a high at Griffiths Lookout, about 10 minutes from Dorrigo town centre. The payoff is a wide, panoramic view across the Bellinger Valley all the way to the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day, you can see the curve of the coast and the deep folds of forested ridge lines below—proof of just how far you’ve climbed into the hinterland.
It’s a quiet, often overlooked spot with a small picnic area and viewing platform, and a fitting place to pause before nightfall. With the air sharp with eucalyptus, and the immense sense of space between earth and sky, it makes for a grounding end to a day spent immersed in Dorrigo’s great outdoors.
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