Bellingen may refer to:
Bellingen, Rhineland-Palatinate, a municipality in the district Westerwaldkreis, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Bellingen, Saxony-Anhalt, a municipality in the district of Stendal, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Bad Bellingen, a municipality in the district of Lörrach, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Bellingen, New South Wales, a town in Australia
Bellingen Shire, New South Wales, a local government area which includes the town
Bellingen, Belgium, a village in the municipality of Pepingen, Belgium
The town sits on the banks of the picturesque Bellinger River, but venturing a few kilometres inland reveals a patchwork of subtropical rainforests and rolling dairy farms that shape the local palate. Farmers’ markets, held every second Saturday, showcase cheese curds, fresh macadamia nuts and heirloom tomatoes, offering visitors a chance to sample produce that rarely reaches metropolitan shelves. A short drive to the nearby Dangar Gorge gives a glimpse of the same waterway carving ancient sandstone, a setting that underpins the region’s reputation for small‑batch craft beers brewed with locally sourced hops. These experiences stitch together the town’s agricultural roots with its growing reputation as a culinary waypoint.
Bellingen’s calendar is punctuated by a trio of modest yet enduring events that reveal its community spirit. The annual Bellingen Jazz Festival, held in late October, fills the main street with intimate gigs in cafés and the town hall, attracting musicians who prefer the relaxed ambience over city venues. In March, the Bellingen Farmers’ Market expands into a weekend fair, where local artisans display woven baskets and ceramic wares alongside music from regional bands. Finally, the Riverfest in June pairs a river‑run kayak race with a night market, creating a lively interface between outdoor sport and nocturnal street food. Timing a visit to overlap with any of these gatherings offers a texture of local life that guidebooks often overlook.
While the town’s charm lies in its laid‑back market vibe, its real strategic value for walkers is proximity to the Great Eastern Escarpment. From Bellingen, a shuttle can take you to the start of the Gloucester Tops track, a 12‑kilometre loop that moves through ancient subtropical rainforest and offers occasional sightings of the elusive lyrebird. For the more ambitious, the Bellinger River Trail follows the river’s gentle meanders for 24 kilometres, linking Bellingen with the coastal settlement of Urunga. Both routes are well signposted and provide options to break the journey into day hikes, making the town an ideal staging point for those seeking to explore New South Wales’ verdant hinterland without the crowds of the Blue Mountains.
Bellingen may refer to: Bellingen, Rhineland-Palatinate, a municipality in the district Westerwaldkreis, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany Bellingen, Saxony-Anhalt, a municipality in the district of Stendal, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Bad Bellingen, a municipality in the district of Lörrach, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany Bellingen, New South Wales, a town in Australia Bellingen Shire, New South Wales, a local government area which includes the town Bellingen, Belgium, a village in the municipality of Pepingen, Belgium Topics referred to by the same termThis disambiguation page lists articles about distinct geographical locations with the same name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.