back to bellingen - Part 2

Back to Bellingen. Literally.

It speaks volumes for a place that you've visited when you decide to go back within a month of your first visit. When I was a guest in the Bellingen Shire for Arts Week, I knew that at some point I would want to go back with Craig. The area is simply amazing for the blend of scenery and culture.

My 40th birthday is coming up quickly, and we were due to take a short trip to Melbourne to celebrate. After I came home and raved about my adventure, we changed up our plans and are heading back to the mid-north coast this weekend. If there's any questions at all about the motives of my Bellingen series, this ought to clear it up!  I went. I loved it. I'm going back and taking Craig.

One of the events of Arts Week was a river jaunt aptly called Paddle with a Poet. About midday, I boarded a kayak and set paddling down the river accompanied by three accomplished poets who all live in the mid-north coast area. Our small flotilla of writers and listeners ventured down the river taking in a host of wild birds along the river banks. I shared a two-man kayak with one of Australia's most celebrated poets, John Bennett.   I couldn't have landed a better partner as he did all the hard paddling, pointed out each bird and gave me plenty of laughs on the journey.  Our three hour trip, arranged with Bellingen Canoe Adventures, rates among my favorite water journeys. Between rounds of paddling, we'd pull over to the banks and hear regionally inspired poetry.  There were tales of Sydney migrations, poems of floods, poems of heat waves and poems that simply brought smiles. I wouldn't ordinarily seek out poetry, but the water experience was so much greater due to the evocative words and descriptive way the poems captured the countryside. I would absolutely join in again, if the timing worked out.  If you would like to connect with some poetry of the area, Liz Routledge can give you all the details on a new poetry compilation that was just off the press when I visited.

I loved my time on the river. It's hard to believe something so placid at the time soars into a raging monster during heavy floods. I hope Craig and I are able to squeeze in a kayak trip. If you visit the area, Bellingen Canoe Adventures also arranges evening full moon tours.

After being awed on the river, I doubted any other scenery would match up. The area kept right on giving though when we headed to Dorrigo National Park on Sunday. It's easy to see why I'm dragging Craig back. The highlight of Dorrigo National Park is the views. After a winding drive upward towards Dorrigo, you know that you'll be in for a treat. From the rainforest centre, it's only a short hop and gold coin donation out to see the escarpment via the Skywalk. From there, a number of waterfall hikes are available. As long as the weather cooperates, we'll be checking them out this weekend.

I'll add that the Canopy Cafe at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is outstanding. They have a huge range of gluten-free friendly food, so it will certainly be a stop I return to with Craig. I had the goulash. wow. In a rarity for me, I cleared every bite.

Bellingen, get ready!  I'll be back soon.

*This is second of a three part installment on a  recent weekend trip to Bellingen Shire. I was traveling as a guest of Bellingen Shire Arts Week. I'll be returning soon at my own expense. It's a terrific place, and I'd highly recommend a visit. See part 1 for more details.