Just south of Coffs Harbour is the laid back town of Bellingen. A hippy community vibe pervades the streets and the number of cafes and interesting shops warrants the town a visit, if not a stay over. An ideal day is a morning hike up to the waterfalls in the nearby Dorrigo national park, returning for lunch and coffee in the afternoon to township. Planning your trip to coincide with their monthly markets is too a great idea. Here are The Yum Lists favourite spots to eat in and around Bellingen:
Best Cafes, Restaurants and Grocers in Bellingen
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| Gelato Shop, Bellingen |
Bellingen Gelato Bar
Home made, in house, no preservatives, artificial colours or flavours, this gelato bar serves up some mighty find ice cream. The old fashioned ambience and refusal to give up the old for the new, makes the cafe a charming spot to sit and enjoy a scoop or two.
Bellingen Gelato Bar
101 Hyde Street
Bellingen
NSW, 2454
Australia
+61 02 6655 1870
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| Bellingen Green Grocers |
Bellingen Green Grocers
This locally owned business supports local farmers and sustainable organic produce. Just take a look inside to see perfect fruits and vegetables and pick up a fresh juice smoothie from the bar. A great spot to pick up some healthy snacks and drinks before you head out for a hike in the forests around Dorrigo.
Bellingen Green Grocers
58 – 60 Hyde Street
Bellingen
NSW, 2454
Australia
+61 02 6655 0846
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| Bellingen Lookout |
Bellingen Lookout
Grab a bite from one of the cafes on Church Street or the organic supermarket, Kombu Whole Foods, on the corner and take up a bench to bask in the tree filled landscapes as seen from the lookout.
Bellingen Lookout
End of Church Street
Bellingen, NSW
Australia
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| The Butter Factory Cafe, Bellingen |
The Butter Factory
The Butter Factory is found to the right of the road just before you enter the main township of Bellingen. A wander through the galleries woven into the rooms of the old building are a super way to work up an appetite for a light meal and refreshment at the adjoining cafe. Seats under the umbrellas in the green gardens outside are excellent spots for breathing in the fresh air and soaking up nature.
The Butter Factory
1 Doepel Street
Bellingen
NSW 2454
Australia
+61 02 6655 2150
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| Hearthfire, Bellingen |
Hearthfire
Great rustic breads! Love their Macadamia Fruit Bread. Single Origin coffee served here too.
Hearthfire
73-75 Hyde Street
Bellingen
NSW 2454
Australia
+61 02 6655 0767
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| Chick Pea Simmer, 5 Church Street, Bellingen |
5 Church Street
Perhaps one of the coolest places to consort in Bellingen is 5 Church Street. Doing their best for the earth and the collective by serving sustainable, local, organic food with many vegetarian options, a community feel purveys where everyone is welcome. Fairtrade and organic locally roasted coffee by Amelia Franklin scents the air. Above, thoughts of my lunch of a Chick Pea Simmer ($18 AUD), still has me salivating with a happy grin. Chick peas are supported with pumpkin, silverbeet, tomato, avocado, roast almonds, toasted seeds, sultanas, lemon, chili, yoghurt and bush fruit chutney and served with rustic sourdough slices over brown rice, creating a healthy and undeniably tasty dish. With all of those filling ingredients hubby and I shared the meal and still left feeling full. Local artists regularly play live music in the evenings.
5 Church Street
Bellingen
NSW 2454
Australia
+61 02 6655 0155
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| Vintage Cafe Bellingen |
The Vintage Nest
Serving darkly roasted coffee and an assortment of bites, the Vintage Nest warrants a visit, if not for the antique ambience, to support the local charity running the store. Serving up breakfasts for a minimal cost and encouraging a sense of community, the church group behind the concept provides much support to those in need. The spacious, well designed eating area too though proves a comfortable and diverting place to grab lunch.
The Vintage Nest
62 Hyde Street
Bellingen NSW
Australia
+61 02 6655 0015
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| Dangar Falls, Dorrigo |
Dorrigo
With so much beautiful scenery to enjoy, you might decide not to sit in a cafe but rather inhale the great outdoors by planning a picnic in one of the national parks or beside some natural beauty so easily found in the area. Above pictured are Dangar Falls just outside of Dorrigo. With benches and plenty of grassy spots, this makes a lovely dining scene.
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| Urunga Mangrove to Sea Walk |
Urunga
About two kilometres from the Bellingen turn off on the Pacific Highway is the small town of Urunga. There’s not much in the township itself, but the walkway through the mangroves and out to the sea merits a detour. Grab some fresh seafood from one of shops along the highway or the supermarket and have a picnic in the adjoining parklands before heading out for a stroll along the wooden path over the water.
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| Freshly Shucked Oysters – easy picnic food |
For a few posts on the Bellingen markets, type in Bellingen in the search box at the top right of the blog.
Eeee…raw oysters! Not for me. LOL!!! Lovely places, all so picturesque.
Australia looks so beautiful…
nice! the area looks idyllic and the falls seem lovely 😀