Best Holiday tour I ever had in Bellingen , Australia

Bellingen town in Australia offers an alternative and laid back lifestyle yet it has many local cafes, shops as well as a museum to explore. There is a three hectare island known as Bellingen Bat Island that hosts a community of around 40,000 grey-headed flying foxes which is a truly breathtaking view at dusk when they go out in search of food.

Near Bellingen is a small vineyard that is worth visiting and has opportunities for walking, horse riding, cycling as well as canoeing along the river. 

On the fabulous Pacific coast of the northern New South Wales is the Coffs Harbour which offers excellent fishing, a growing cosmopolitan centre and glorious sandy beaches. 

My Holiday in Bellingen; living in a cottage

We booked self contained, bed & breakfast cottage accommodation in Bellingen, Coffs Harbour.  Picture this; you wake up to a clear morning with birds singing. Even though it’s warm, you can see a mist hanging in the mountains from a distance. You either prepare your own coffee or head out for one great one at one of the nearby cafes. You write a postcard, read the paper and relax as you take in the view. You spend your afternoon cycling through eucalyptus forest or paddling the Bellinger River. Late in the afternoon you have a swim in the river and head to town to mix with the locals. You can prepare your own dinner at the cottage or eat out at one of the many restaurants. Well, that is the kind of experience I had when I visited Bellingen on my last vacation.

 My family and I found this beautiful cottage out of town on a waterfall way. This place was recommended by a family friend who had spent a night there on his way to Sydney. The cottage is around 1km out of town. It has quiet and spacious rooms that are very comfortable and clean. The feeling of spaciousness is felt due to the tall ceilings as well as front and back doors that lead to the pool/garden. The garden is equally beautiful with views over the nearby mountains.

With a kitchenette and a microwave, we were able to cook our own food which we ate from the garden as we enjoyed the cool breeze form the Bellingen River. The outdoor space was spacious enough for my kids’ outdoor activities with their dog.

On dusk, you could hear frogs’ sounds but thankfully they would stop croaking as the night progressed to allow you enjoy your night.

The owners of the cottage seemed attentive, friendly and informative.

Overall, this cottage was reasonably priced. It was the best alternative and we would definitely stay there again if we found ourselves in the area.

It is true that a holiday is what you make of it. But if there is a place that one can relax and regenerate, then Bellingen it is. Snuggled in the base of Bellinger Valley, with breathtaking beaches to the east and the rainforest to the west, your trip to Bellingen can be as relaxed or as active as you like it.