Three Blue Ducks BellingenCredit: Steven Woodburn, Three Blue Ducks
Three Blue Ducks, Belligen
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Tucked within the Coffs Coast hinterland, Bellingen is a tiny town offering big adventures and big flavours – even more so now with the opening of the Three Blue Ducks’ fifth restaurant. For owners Sam Reid-Boquist, Chris Sorrell, Jeff Bennett, Mark LaBrooy, Andy Allen and Darren Robertson, Bellingen ticks all the boxes: amazing local produce to cook with, waterways perfect for fishing and nearby surf beaches for days off. Here are the Ducks’ top picks for a trip to ‘Bello’.
Where to eat
Surrounded by misty mountains, utopian valleys, verdant countryside and crystal-clear waterways, the bohemian town of Bellingen has a natural bounty at its doorstep – and it shows in the town’s many dining options. The Three Blue Ducks’ eating ethos centres around paddock-to-plate cooking, and besides their own Bellingen restaurant, the guys have a long list of favourite places in town. Black Bear Cafe offers expertly brewed Botero coffee from Northern NSW and a delicious menu using local and sustainable produce. Around the corner, 5 Church St, a cafe by day and live-music venue by night, also champions local and organic ingredients on its menu. To get your hands a little dirty and see exactly where your food comes from, the guys recommend a farm tour or Paddock to Plate Dinner at Levenvale Farm. Three Blue Ducks uses the farm’s Bello Beef in their menu – 100% grass-fed and -finished beef grown in a chemical-free environment and using regenerative agricultural practices.
For a casual dinner, the Ducks recommend heading to Bellingen Brewing Co for wood-fired pizzas, local craft beer and organic wine. Charlie’s at Church is another suggestion from the guys who say you can’t miss a plate of their handmade pasta and a scoop of their “cracking” tiramisu. Bruno’s is another restaurant with a Mediterranean-inspired fine-dining menu and thoughtfully curated wine list. For dessert Bellingen Gelato is a Ducks favourite – the eco-friendly ice creamery uses natural, locally sourced ingredients in their gelato; LED lights in the shop; biodegradable gelato cups and wooden spoons; and ice-cream machines that can be cooled using recycled water.
Three Blue Ducks Bellingen Credit: Steven Woodburn, Three Blue Ducks
Three Blue Ducks, Belligen
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Three Blue Ducks Bellingen Credit: Steven Woodburn, Three Blue Ducks
Three Blue Ducks, Belligen
Three Blue Ducks Bellingen Credit: Steven Woodburn, Three Blue Ducks
Three Blue Ducks, Belligen
#feelnsw
Three Blue Ducks Bellingen Credit: Steven Woodburn, Three Blue Ducks
Three Blue Ducks, Belligen
Where to play
Whether you want a peaceful paddle on the river or to go chasing waterfalls in the region’s ancient rainforests, Bellingen’s natural wonders offer the perfect playground for outdoor lovers. The Three Blue Ducks team love a surf, and their favourite break is at Sawtell Beach. Sawtell is also a great spot for non-waveriders, with the guys suggesting a walk to Boambee Lookout before a swim in Boambee Creek and a picnic by the water is the perfect family day out. More great views can be found at Griffith Lookout – on a clear day you can see the entire Coffs Coast, from the Great Dividing Range to the Pacific Ocean and right down to Kempsey.
Just half an hour from Bellingen, Dorrigo National Park is a not-to-be-missed spot on a trip to the region. The World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest offers stunning scenery with cascading waterfalls, lush hikes and elevated views from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre’s Skywalk Lookout, which walks right over the forest’s canopy.
Where to stay
The Three Blue Ducks’ Bellingen outpost is housed within The Lodge, a luxury 30-room property on 16 acres of land and with 360-degree mountain views. The Lodge offers everything from two-bedroom suites to cosy studios and comfortable glamping tents, plus there’s a pool, spa and alpaca farm perfect for families.
You’ll feel like royalty at Evermoore Retreat, a European-style chateau hidden at the base of Old Man Dreaming mountain where the Ducks recently stayed. The guys loved the property’s grand interiors, incredible banquet room and access to a private beach at Never Never River, a hidden gem with turquoise swimming holes, rope swings to splash into the water and great white-water rafting during winter.
The Ducks also recommend a stay at Levenvale Farm. After you’ve toured the cattle yards and explored the property, you can bed down in a range of cosy off-grid accommodation – from a tiny house to a glamping tent to a rustic hut.
Dorrigo Skywalk, Dorrigo Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the Dorrigo Skywalk attraction in Dorrigo National Park.
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Dorrigo Skywalk, Dorrigo Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the Dorrigo Skywalk attraction in Dorrigo National Park.
Bellingen Brewing Co, Bellingen Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a drink at the Bellingen Brewing Co, Bellingen
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Bellingen Brewing Co, Bellingen Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a drink at the Bellingen Brewing Co, Bellingen
Peppers Craigieburn, BowralCredit: Destination NSW
The heritage property at Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral.
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Promenade back in time as Netflix’s Regency-era romp returns for Season Three, escorted by the elegant Bridgerton in Bowral extravaganza from 16-23 April. And whether you’re visiting The Ton for these enchanting festivities or simply searching for a sophisticated sojourn, all year round Bowral offers decadent feasts, opulent stays, charming countryside and more – all just 90 minutes from Sydney. Read on, Gentle Reader, to learn why the Southern Highlands are the Diamond of the Season and beyond.
Make your grand entrance
Emerald hills garnished with vineyards, grand estates and a bewitching village atmosphere… Bowral’s highlights harken back to a most refined moment in history – and now they’re celebrating Bridgerton’s greatly anticipated return with a host of soirees. As befits such a momentous occasion, Empire Cinemas Bowral will host four exclusive screenings for The Ton before the new episodes hit Netflix (from May 16). Plus, you’re cordially invited to a Regency-themed Garden Party amid the stately grounds of the Milton Park Country House Hotel, where you’ll see and be seen in sprawling formal gardens, and enjoy a host of Bridgerton-themed entertainment. Nearby, Retford Park also entices with a picturesque 1887 homestead, self-guided art trail and a picnic-perfect historic garden for all seasons.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
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Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
Sip your way around The Ton
Raise a toast to Lady Whistledown’s long-awaited new chapter with Sohi’s mouth-watering tipples – their premium gin, vodka and vermouth are available to quaff all over town, including at Hearth by Moonacres, Bistro Sociale and The Royal Hotel. And, let your thirst for discovery lead you along the Southern Highlands Wine Trail, where you’ll sample the region’s cool-climate drops at more than 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors. Swill Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Albariño, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer at Centennial Vineyards; unwind between the vines at the grand Bendooley Estate; and clink glasses at Mount Ashby Estate, where red, white and culinary delights are served alongside French antiques and lashings of bucolic charm.
Shall we promenade?
Whether you’re courting a suitor or slipping out of the drawing room for fresh air, a gentle wander is one of life’s simple pleasures. Take a leisurely turn through historic Berrima; Australia’s best-preserved Georgian village unveils an intriguing selection of Regency-era relics, including the 1830s Courthouse, convict-built Surveyor General Inn and the National Trust-listed Harper’s Mansion. Bask in the majesty of manicured gardens in Bowral, Mossvale, and Robertson, where lavish plantings reveal nature’s extravagance – especially during the Tulip Time festival each spring. Afterwards, assemble your favourite dukes and duchesses to while away the day with croquet, cycle between quaint villages, or saddle up your trusty steeds for a relaxing meander along the Canyonleigh Trails.
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
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Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
Discover the talk of The Ton
Bowral boasts a bounty of treasures old, new and noteworthy if you’re seeking a modiste-crafted frock for your society debut, exploring the arts, or collecting key pieces to makeover your manor. Start with a visit to Dirty Janes, a unique marketplace where 90 individual sellers peddling all manner of retro, vintage, antique and artisan-made finds. Indulge your guilty pleasure for scandalous storytelling at Books Ever After, a romance-genre specialist home to an impressive selection of special editions to tantalise your imagination. And, take your cue from Bridgerton’s elite and let your impeccable taste in art and furnishings do the talking. The Ngununggula Southern Highlands Regional Gallery, Bowral Art Gallery and Milk Factory Gallery showcase the cultured art and soul of this inspired region, while Suzie Anderson Home has a wide range of premium style essentials to create your own Regency-influenced sanctuary.
Retreat to elegant chambers
From plush private residences to luxe suites catering for your every whim, the Southern Highlands offers a host of auspicious accommodations worthy of society’s highest echelon. Revel in the prestige of a grand estate to call your own on the grounds of The Rift Estate. This palatial 19th Century mansion presents a self-contained Coach House to accommodate 13 people, complete with cosy fireplaces, claw-foot bathtubs and lush lawns perfect for croquet and bocce. For a gracious stay amid rustic vistas reminiscent of the English countryside, look no further than the five-star boutique hotel, Osborn House. Nearby, the chic comforts continue at the Georgian Moss Manor, where thoughtful creativity and interior design unite for an exclusive art-hotel experience. Around the town, the historic flair also rolls into the early 20th Century, with the Berida Hotel, Peppers Craigieburn and the Links House Hotel delivering memorable stays where modern amenity and heritage flourishes converge. Wherever you choose to rest your tiara-toting head, you can find your own Bridgerton in Bowral all year round.
Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
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Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands
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Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands