Tucked quietly between river and sea on the Coffs Coast, the tiny town of Urunga in the Bellingen Shire doesn’t shout for attention. It simply waits for you to slow down enough to notice it.
Just 15 minutes from the creative buzz of Bellingen, Urunga is a calming contrast—gentle, water-bound, and deeply tied to its natural surroundings.
This is a place where two rivers—the Bellinger and Kalang—meet the sea, where wetlands stretch out in quiet ecological significance, and where long, white sands whisper a welcome to those seeking a slower rhythm.
The town’s name comes from the Gumbaynggirr word Yurruun.ga (pronounced Yu-roon-ga), meaning “long white sands,” a nod to the sweeping beaches that create the coastline here. This is Country that has long been respected and sustained by First Nations people, and its beauty endures in every curve of the river and call of birdlife overhead.
With water on almost every side, Urunga exudes a sense of peace—one that seeps in slowly. It’s a place for early-morning stillness, high-tide wanderings above the wetlands, and afternoons spent with artists and winemakers who understand the value of living gently.
Here’s how to spend one perfect, unhurried day in this lesser-known coastal pocket.
Greet the Day at Hungry Head
There’s something quietly sacred about starting the day at Hungry Head. Just south of Urunga, it’s one of those rare coastal spots that manages to feel both expansive and tucked away.
Overlooking the long stretch of Hungry Head Beach—one of the region’s patrolled beaches and a well-loved surf spot for locals—the headland itself feels like a place designed for pause and perspective.
In the early hours, the beach is mostly empty, save for someone cradling a cup of tea, or a cyclist catching their breath at the lookout. A set of wooden stairs leads down from the headland to the sand, where you can stroll the tide line or take a dip. It’s calm, uncrowded, and just the right pace to begin a slow day by the sea.
Stroll the Urunga Boardwalk
Next, make your way to the Urunga Boardwalk—the town’s true headliner. Stretching over wetlands, mangroves and the meeting place of the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers, this timber path offers a perspective that constantly shifts with the tide.
While the boardwalk is wheelchair accessible, plans to improve and widen the historic structure to improve accessibility are in place, to be completed by 2026.
At high tide, the water is glassy and full, reflecting the sky like a mirror. You might spot someone swimming lazy laps beneath, dogs trotting happily ahead of their owners, or an egret stalking dinner in the reeds. It’s a living, breathing landscape, best experienced unhurried.
Bring your keep cup and wander out to the end, where the river meets the sea and dolphins occasionally breach the surface.
A Meandering Drive to North Beach
Mid-morning, take the 20-minute scenic drive through lush farmland out to the North Beach Mylestom area. The patchwork of green paddocks and old timber fences takes you back in time with every kilometre.
You’ve likely never heard of North Beach – and that’s its charm. Pocket-sized and perfect for families, this river and beachside spot has a netted tidal pool and makes for a great picnic spot.
If you’re in need of fuel, the North Beach General Store serves up a hearty brekkie. The food’s simple, the vibe is laid-back, and the view of the river from the picnic benches outside provides a welcome pause. If you’re visiting later in the day, grab a serve of fish and chips, served in an old-fashioned paper bag.
Discover Art and Local Colour in Urunga CBD
Back in Urunga, wander into the heart of the village where creativity is stitched into everyday life.
Start with The Art Space, a community-run, not-for-profit gallery founded in 2017. It’s a warm, welcoming place filled with hand-crafted ceramics, prints, and small treasures made by local artists. You’ll find gifts, inspiration, and maybe even the artist behind the work having a chat behind the counter – like Ariel White pictured above with her piece, Desert Rains near Cobar.
Then follow your nose to Liberty Providores, a charming little café just outside town. Hidden just off the main road, this spot is equal parts eatery, grocer and secondhand boutique. Grab a mug from the shelves if you’ve forgotten your own cup and head to the shady courtyard for slow coffees under the trees (they use Dark Arts Coffee Roasters beans from Coffs Harbour). There’s also a few racks of preloved clothes to sift through while your toastie grills.
Proudly single-use cup free since 2022, this is one of the cafes in the Bellingen Shire who take part in the region’s mug library initiative – you’ll see signs and a collection of ceramic cups in many of the cafes as you travel around. Many of them come from the Bowerhouse Community Reuse Shop, which is another great spot for a browse while you’re in Urunga and Raleigh.
Just down the road in Raleigh is Tree-O Gallery, a creative cornerstone that’s been around for three decades. The gallery is part studio, part exhibition space, run by local woodworker Bim Morton, whose beautifully crafted pieces are displayed alongside paintings, ceramics and works by other artists in the region. It’s a quiet celebration of skill, patience, and enduring creativity.
Wind Down at Raleigh Winery
As the day slows, take the short drive inland from Urunga to Raleigh Winery Cafe. It’s an easygoing place to settle in for the afternoon—glass in hand, overlooking the vines.
Managers Brent and Belinda Watson grew up in the region and have a deep connection to this patch of land. In fact, they held their own wedding reception here years before taking over the winery, adding “winemaker” to their growing list of credentials. Since then, they’ve breathed new life into the cellar door, creating a space that’s as much about community as it is about wine.
The tasting list comes from drops produced from the 1800 mature chambourcin and villard blanc vines on the small-scale vineyard, best enjoyed alongside one of their generous charcuterie platters.
It’s the kind of place that captures the spirit of the whole day: local, laid-back, and quietly unforgettable.
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