Dorrigo

Perched high on the Dorrigo Plateau, this small mountain town offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in northern New South Wales.

Just an hour from the coast along Waterfall Way, Dorrigo feels a world away — a place where misty mornings give way to clear skies, cascading waterfalls, and fresh mountain air.

At 731 metres above sea level, Dorrigo enjoys a cool climate and an easy pace of life that appeals to nature lovers and families alike. The town centre is lined with art galleries, vintage stores, cafés, and country pubs, each filled with the warmth and friendliness the region is known for. Monthly community markets and the annual Folk and Bluegrass Festival bring locals and visitors together in celebration of creativity, music and country hospitality.

The surrounding landscape is nothing short of spectacular. Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests is the area’s crown jewel. The Skywalk Lookout, directly connected to the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, stretches above the escarpment with panoramic views across the Bellinger Valley to the Pacific Ocean. From there, walking tracks wind through lush subtropical rainforest, past Rosewood Creek and toward dramatic waterfalls like Dangar Falls, a favourite spot for swimming and picnicking.

Adventure continues in nearby national parks including New England, Nymboi-Binderay, Cascade and Cathedral Rock, each offering its own trails and outlooks. Griffiths Lookout, just beyond town, rewards visitors with sweeping views over the northern edge of Bellinger River National Park.

Dorrigo’s name is said to come from the Gumbaynggirr word Dandarrga, meaning “stringy bark,” a reminder of the area’s deep cultural roots and connection to Country. Aboriginal stories tell of Old Man Dreaming, the profile of a warrior etched into the distant mountain peaks, watching over the valley below.

For those seeking space, community, and a stronger link to the natural world, Dorrigo offers a lifestyle defined by balance: the tranquillity of the tablelands, the beauty of the forest, and the coast just down the hill. It’s a place that captures the best of country living while keeping the warmth of small-town connection at its heart.