Hello from Bello+Beyond…
Bello+Beyond is a new, curated guide to the Bellingen Shire — the places worth your time, what's on, and the stories behind them, for locals and visitors alike. This is our very first letter - as such, we've kept it small and personal, the way we want every edition to feel. This issue: we ducked into The Blue Door, the Shire's newest restaurant, sat down with Dave at Hearthfire to hear exactly how old his sourdough starter really is, and met the two accidental steampunks behind Edge of Time in Dorrigo. We're also well into the school holidays, and a long weekend to boot - read on before Monday sneaks up on you…
What's On
There's a lot on this October. Two not to miss: the Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival from October 23rd, and the Taranta Festival taking over Bellingen from Friday October 30th. Also on: Et Tu Theatre's studio production of Dennis Kelly's award-winning drama Orphans at Bellingen Memorial Hall, running 1–11 October, and Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham bring their Go North Go South tour to Urunga.
This Week's Features
Blue Door
The newest name in the Bellingen restaurant scene, The Blue Door opened last month with a menu built entirely around the producers and growers of our region. Dylan and Angelica invite you to settle in for the seven-course tasting menu, or pull up a stool at the six-seat wine bar for something off their NSW-only list.
Why we like it: People supporting people — local growers and producers, showcasing the best of food in the Shire.
Hearthfire
A fixture on the Bellingen food scene for well over a decade, Hearthfire's sourdough is something of a local institution — though even regulars might not know the starter behind it is 122 years old. We spoke with Dave about how his bakery keeps something that old alive, one loaf at a time.
Why we like it: Their croissants are better than a trip to Paris.
Edge of Time
Tucked away in Dorrigo, Edge of Time is less a shop than a wonderland — metal, antiques, jewellery, motorbikes, and two accidental steampunks who somehow make all of it make sense.
Best for: Anyone who likes getting delightfully lost for an hour or more.
Freshly Added
The listings library is still filling up — rather than rush it, we're building it properly, one place at a time. Expect this section to grow over the coming weeks.
Good to Know
Tonight: head to Alternatives Bookstore for the Bellingen Story Circle.
Learn more →It’s a long weekend coming up - see what’s on and where to grab a coffee on Monday. Read more →
Your favourite spot for coffee, a drink or bite to eat may have changed their opening hours for the warmer months. Stay current →
One Last Thing
You can check the local weather straight from the Bello+Beyond website — on the front page and on the Itinerary Planner — so you'll not only know what’s happening in the Shire, but also whether it's a sunscreen day, a brolly day, or something in between before you head out.
For the bigger picture: local weather-watcher Bellingen Weather's latest outlook has warmer-than-average conditions likely at times right through summer, with the trend expected to carry into 2027 as heat from this El Niño lingers in the atmosphere. Worth keeping in mind when planning your time in the Shire.
Thanks for being here for our first edition.
See you in the Shire…
— Bello+Beyond