The ultimate guide to day trips on the Mid North Coast

The Mid North Coast is well known for its stunning coastline, beautiful bushland and country-town vibes. Here’s our top picks for quick trips to take when you have a day free and want to explore, including the state’s tallest waterfall and the largest Red Bloodwood tree in the southern hemisphere.

We cover all five local government areas from the north to the south, so while places might be a 10-minute venture up the road for some and a two-hour road trip for others, they’re all worth it!

Dorrigo: About an hour’s drive inland from Coffs Harbour and more than 700-metres above sea level you’ll find Dorrigo on Waterfall Way. 

Visit the locally owned shops and cafes of the country-town’s main strip– including a deli, butcher and woodfired bakery – hike one of the many tracks in Dorrigo National Park, and explore a waterfall or more.

• Dangar Falls is a 30-metre waterfall with a viewing platform and a path to the bottom where you can swim. There’s also picnic tables, toilets and a playground for the kids.

• There’s a skywalk connected to the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre with an aerial view of the forest and scenic views of surrounding mountains.

• For those looking for an intense walk, hit the Red Cedar Walking Track with Dorrigo’s largest waterfall at the bottom, or for something lighter on the glute muscles, try the short loop of the Lyrebird Link Track.
  

Bellingen: About 30 minutes inland from Coffs and also on Waterfall Way is “Bello”– as the locals call it– known for its markets, music, art and food scene. There’s also the Promised Lands, where you can swim in Never Never Creek among the rainforest.

• Bellingen Community Markets is the biggest in the region and is held every month on the third Saturday from 8am at Bellingen Park. The town also holds farmers and growers markets and a huge plant fair twice a year.

• For live music check out the Bellingen Brewery, The Federal Hotel, Diggers Tavern and 5 Church Street. For the festival goers River Sounds is hosted at Bellingen Showgrounds annually, and for concerts – as well as films and plays – check out the Bellingen Memorial Theatre’s calendar.

• For something a little fancier, reserve a seat a Brunos, Charlie’s, Three Blue Ducks or Fiume. For more of a casual setting, we recommend Za’atars, the Thirsty Dumplings, woodfired-pizza at the Brewery and Hearthfire Bakery.

• Take a drive further inland to the Promised Lands in Gleniffer for a refreshing swim in Never Never Creek. Pack a picnic and some walking shoes and make a day of it among the trees and birdlife.

Urunga: Just over an hour drive south from Coffs Harbour you’ll find Urunga – a riverside town with an impressive boardwalk, local honey and a waterfront dining spot.

• Included in the big-things-to-get-a-photo-in-front-of-in-Australia is the Big Beehive at The Honey Place. Here you can see bees at work, sample local honey, enjoy a cuppa and sweet treats including award-winning scones.

• If you’re a seafood lover, make sure to stop in at Anchor’s Wharf on the Kalang River. The venue serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers takeaway too. You can even hire a boat from the restaurant for a family fishing trip.

Bowraville: Located about 20-minutes inland from Nambucca Heads, the small town’s main street is lined with historic buildings. 

Here you can visit museums – including a folk museum and a military museum – check out the historic Bowraville Theatre, and rest your feet and fuel up at a local cafe or Bowraville Bistro.

• Valla Beach, Nambucca Heads and Scotts Head aren’t far if you need a dip in the ocean on the way home.

Bellbrook: Another inland destination, Bellbrook is a scenic 45-minute drive west of Kempsey. Travel along Armidale Road through thick bushland, over bridges and past farmland until you reach the pub. Stop at Bellbrook Hotel for food, booze, and chat with the locals.

• There are some great walks and freshwater swimming spots in the area, just be careful not to trespass on private property.

South West Rocks: “The Rocks” hugs the coastline about a 30-minute drive off the highway. Enjoy stunning beaches, bushwalks with a view, and a bit of history.

Trial Bay in Arakoon, 10 minutes from the town centre, is a great spot to park up. The bay is typically calm and great for the kids to swim safely with plenty of parking and picnic areas. 

Visit the historic Trial Bay Gaol to learn some local history, walk the Monument Track for views of Trial Bay and Little Bay, and keep your eyes focused out to sea during whale migration season. 

Enjoy watching the abundant kangaroo population laze in the sun and sand dunes and if you’re still there at day’s end, Trial Bay is one of the few places on the east coast where you can see the sunset over the ocean. 

• We recommend The Riverside Tavern for lunch or dinner. You may see the dolphins frolic in the Macleay River while sipping your drink of choice, catch live music over the weekend, or win a raffle on a weeknight.

Hat Head: This sleepy village is about 30-minutes from Kempsey and is perfect for a relaxing day by the water. Enjoy the beach as a swimmer, surfer, under an umbrella, diving or fishing from a boat. Head to the creek for high tide for crystal clear conditions where you can bathe, paddle board, snorkel or float on a blowup apparatus. 

• Head Head Bowling Club often hosts live music gigs

• For the walkers there’s the loop Korogoro track around the headland and Connor’s Trail for a coastal walk from the gap.

• Those permitted and able can drive on the beach between South Smoky at South West Rocks and Hat Head.

Crescent Head: Known for its point break and longboard waves, “Creso” attracts surfers from all over the country. The coastal town also boasts a popular creek, a six-hole golf course on the headland and walking trails in surrounding national parks.

• For coffee lovers, we recommend stopping at Cheetah Five for top-notch brew where you can do a little shopping too.

• The Station Boardstore across the road is worth a visit and a chat to the owner JJ.

• Check out the headland loop track at Bill Hill beach starting at the picnic area.

Ellenborough Falls: Drive about an hour and a half inland from Port Macquarie to find Ellenborough Falls. At 200-metres, it’s the tallest single-drop waterfall in New South Wales and amongst the tallest in the southern hemisphere.

• Near the carpark is a viewing platform or a short walk away is another platform closer to the waterfall drop-off.

• There’s a walkway that takes you to The Knoll, about 10-minutes on foot, with another  platform directly opposite the falls for a top-to-bottom view.

• You can also walk down 641 steps to the base of the falls where there is a rockpool to cool off.

The Old BottleButt: About a 45-minute drive south of Taree sits the largest Red Bloodwood tree in the southern hemisphere. 

• Known as The Old BottleButt, the tree is estimated to be more than 200 years old and a recorded girth of more than 16 metres just above its base.

• The giant Red Bloodwood is accessible via the Old Bottlebutt Walking Track – a 600 metre loop that meanders through rainforest with a timber viewing deck and seating to enjoy the spectacular sight. 

We hope you enjoyed our guide. Keep an eye out for our monthly What’s On coverage including live music and family-friendly events.

Thumbnail L-R: Ellenborough Falls (Unsplash/Valerie), Trial Bay Gaol