Coffs Harbour to Bellingen drive: Distance, time & road trip stops

The Coffs Harbour to Bellingen drive covers a distance of 36km in a driving time of around 31 minutes. Road trip stops on the way include the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, Bongil Bongil National Park and Raleigh Wines.

The drive from Coffs Harbour to Bellingen takes you from the beach to the rainforest. Coffs Harbour is the biggest city on the New South Wales North Coast between Newcastle and the Gold Coast. Bellingen is its little, greener, more hippyish cousin.

Coffs Harbour to Bellingen distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Coffs Harbour to Bellingen is 36km. That makes for a driving time of around 31 minutes. It’s a short drive, but there’s a surprisingly large amount to see along the way.

Leaving Coffs Harbour along the Pacific Highway to the south, the Coffs Harbour to Bellingen drive passes the Coffs International Stadium and Coffs Harbour Butterfly House.

6 fab Coffs Harbour experiences to book in advance

Glide through nature – on a Boambee Creek kayaking tour guided by a marine scientist.
Jump out of a plane – with tandem skydives that land on the beach.
Go kayaking and wildlife-spotting – on a coastal adventure.
Head into the hinterland – on a rainforest and waterfalls day tour.
Test your nerve and agility – at the Treetops Coffs Harbour adventure course.
See migrating humpbacks up close – on a whale-watching cruise.

To the east, you can hang out at the Bongil Picnic Area on Bonville Creek or go further to Sawtell Beach and Bonville Beach.

Coffs Harbour to Bellingen drive: Perry’s Hill Lookout and Raleigh Winery

Further south in Bongil Bongil National Park, there are plenty of mountain bike trails, while the Perry’s Hill Lookout just to the south is the best place for a quick photo stop.

If you fancy wine-tasting, the Raleigh Winery is on the east bank of the Bellinger River, which you’ll cross just before leaving the Pacific Highway. Branch off along the B78, aka Waterfall Way. This is one of the most scenic drives in Australia, and Bellingen is part of the way along it.

Canoeing in Bellingen

The road into Bellingen follows the Bellinger River. On the way, you can stop at Bellingen Canoe Adventures in Fernmount.

This outfit offers canoe and kayak hire, plus Bellingen River canoe tours.

Once you arrive, things to do in Bellingen include seeing the flying foxes on Bellingen Island, sampling beers at the Bellingen Brewing Co and visiting the Wednesday farmers market.