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The charming town of Bellingen is
the centre of the shire, located on the banks of the peaceful
Bellinger River. The town's historic wealth is reflected in the
heritage buildings that blend in with the facilities of the
modern day town.
Bellingen is known as the Jazz
Capital of "The Holiday Coast", with Jazz
nights on the first Friday of every month and the famous three
day Bellingen Jazz Festival in August. The Internationally
respected Global Carnival unites many of the world's cultures in
a four-day festival every October. Stamping Ground, a Male
Driven Action Arts Festival, runs over 16 days every January.
The Bellingen Markets attract thousands of visitors on
the third Saturday of
every month. The Bellingen Natural Produce Market caters to the
discerning tastes of the Shires population on the second
Saturday of each month. The annual Autumn and Spring Plant Fairs
cater to the very large number of people who find gardening or
reafforestation of interest. Bellingen is fast becoming the
"Arts and Crafts Capital" of New South Wales' Mid North Coast
and is renowned for the blend of Alternative and Traditional
Lifestyles that it's residents follow.
Sporting facilities in the
Bellingen Shire provide for enthusiasts of Golf (3 Clubs),
Fishing (Ocean, River and Trout), Lawn Bowls (4 Clubs), Tennis
(5 Clubs), Croquet, Shooting (3 Clubs), Carpet Bowls, Squash,
Archery and all popular team sports.
Recreational activities include
River Cruises, White Water Rafting, Water Skiing, Swimming
(Ocean, Rivers and Swimming Pools), Go-Karting on an
International Raceway, Horse Riding, Bush Walking, Sailing,
Canoeing, Boating, Picnicking, 4 Wheel Driving, Off Road Bike
Riding, Line Dancing, Skin-diving, Abseiling, Rock Climbing,
Helicopter Flights, and Aboriginal Cultural tours of "Baligin",
the "Promised Land" and the "Never Never".
The Artisan's of the Bellingen
Shire produce Paintings, Woodwork, Jewellery, Leather Goods,
Folk Art, Sculptures, and Clocks, plus a wide variety of
creatively designed Fine Arts and Hand Crafts. Over 200 Master
Craft Persons create a wonderland of amazing works catering to
every taste.
There are Art Galleries,
fascinating Gift Shops, 3 Museums, Plant Nurseries, 6 National
Parks with some of the most majestic and varied scenery in the
World, Lookouts with spectacular views, Waterfalls, Old Gold
Mining Towns, Forest Drives, Glass Works, Wine Tastings at two
Wineries, Picnic and Camping areas, Dairy Farms, Parklands and
many Children's Playgrounds.
The Bellingen Shire boasts an
abundance of native Flora and Fauna. The Shire is home to a huge
Flying Fox colony, Koalas, Platypus, Echidnas, Bandicoots,
Wallabies, Kangaroos, Opossums, many nocturnal Marsupials,
Dolphins, Whales and Turtles. You can even find Alpacas and
Deer. Bird lovers will delight in the myriad of bird life in the
Valley, including Kookaburras, Owls, Crested Hawks, Pelicans,
Honey Eaters, Sea Eagles and Parrots.
On your visit to Bellingen allow
plenty of time to enjoy The Yellow Shed. Operating for twenty
years now, this enormous old entertainment hall is now filled
with a wondrous selection of creative work from over two hundred
artists and craftspeople.
There is a wide range of easy
listening music for sale, from classical to modern, world and
meditation, not forgetting the special jazz and blues collectors
corner. Hundreds of titles have been added to the book sections
over the years which include many low-priced books for children.
The well established Yellow Shed
Garden Centre proudly boasts hundreds of locally grown
rainforest and other native trees, shrubs, ground covers, ferns,
exquisite bird-baths and much much more! FOR LOVERS OF MUSIC ART
AND ADVENTURE |
