View from Dorrigo Mountain looking down the Bellinger Valley

Dorrigo
Interesting service town on the edge of the Dorrigo Plateau.
Located 576 km north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway and 730 m above sea level, Dorrigo sits near the edge of the New England escarpment and is only a few kilometres from the steep mountain road which descends into the Bellinger Valley. It is a pleasant and unassuming country town servicing the rich agricultural lands which surround it.

Before European settlement the Dorrigo area was inhabited by the Kumbangerie (sometimes written 'Gumbaynggir' and 'Gumbaingiir ') Aborigines. It was the western extremity of an area which was bounded by Woolgoolga to the north and Nambucca Heads to the south.

It is widely accepted that the first European into the Dorrigo was an escaped convict named Richard Craig. Craig lived with the local Aborigines and, pursuing their hunter-gatherer lifestyle, wandered between the coast and the Dorrigo plateau throughout the year.

The first official European in the district was Land Commissioner Oakes who sited the mouth of the Bellinger River on the 3rd of August 1840. By 1841 timber cutters had entered the Bellinger River searching for red cedar. They set up camps and moved from one stand of trees to the next.

It was not until the 1860s that permanent settlement occurred in the district.

Over the years there has been some truly wonderful controversy about the naming of Dorrigo. For decades the official version was "At this time Major Edward Parke explored the Dorrigo Plateau planning to settle there. Major Parke had fought in the Peninsula Wars under a Spanish General named Don Dorrigo. He decided to honour this Spanish General by naming the eastern section of the plateau 'Dorrigo'."

Some sources disagreed with this explanation suggesting that the name 'Dorrigo' was an abbreviation of 'Dondorrigo' which was said to have been a local Aboriginal word for the stringy bark gum tree.

Then, in 2002, a group known as the Dorrigo Plateau Walking Together Group issued a firm press release insisting "We note on your Web Page that you make reference to a Spanish General by the name of Don Dorrigo as the antecedent for the naming of present day Dorrigo.

"For the sake of accuracy and consistency this information needs to be corrected.

The NSW Geographical Names Register records that the name has its antecedence in the Gumbaingiir language, the name of the indigenous people upon whose land Dorrigo stands, and it means 'Stringy Bark' (Dundurriga).

"Extensive research has also been conducted with the Spanish Military Archives in Madrid re "General Don Dorrigo" and they have confirmed that no such person ever existed.

"As a gesture of reconciliation and sign of respect to the local Gumbaingiir People you are invited to delete any reference to 'General Don Dorrigo' and source your information regarding the origins of the name Dorrigo from The Geographical Names Register."

Somehow this story stands as a wonderful symbol to Australian history. How did the story of the Spanish General ever get started? How could everyone have got it so wrong for such a long time? Are we so careless with our history that we would allow such a story to be perpetuated?

Anyway, to continue: Throughout the 1860s people settled on the Dorrigo Plateau. The cost of settlement was ten shillings a year for 40 acres and this attracted people eager to exploit both the wool and cattle prospects of the land and the rich stands of rosewood, silky oak, cedar, marble wood and Arctic beech.

By 1865 a track had been constructed from Dorrigo down the mountain to the Bellinger valley. This ensured access to the coast. Up to this time it had taken Dorrigo settlers up to six months to make the return trip to the coast.

The reputation of the Dorrigo Plateau as a place of great richness and fertility had spread so that by the early years of the twentieth century the area was being subdivided and hundreds of people were moving to the district. After the Great War farms were made available to soldier settlers. With few exceptions these farmers converted the area into a rich and productive dairy produce district. Cream was sent to Bellingen and then on to Brisbane and Sydney by sea. By 1906 Dorrigo had its own butter factory. By 1922 it had a bacon factory and by the 1930s there was considerable potato growing in the rich local soils.

Today Dorrigo is a quiet country town. Although it still exists, the timber industry has declined in importance. Dairying is still important. The area around the town is particularly attractive. There are a number of interesting waterfalls and bushwalks as well as numerous outstanding views across the Bellinger Valley.

Things to see:  

Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum
Located in Tallowood Street to the west of Dorrigo, this privately owned company claims to have the largest collection of railway rolling stock in the Southern Hemisphere. This probably is a reasonable claim as, at this point in time, it has 55 locomotives, 280 carriages and wagons, 13 railmotors and a Silver City Comet set. It is not yet opened to the general public but if you drive down Tallowood Street you get a good idea of the vast amount of equipment which has been accumulated by this unusual museum. There is also a plan to reopen 70 km of branch line so that some of the rolling stock can be used to provide round trips and day trips for visitors. All enquiries should be directed to (02) 6657 2176.

Dangar Falls tumble into a cool valley near Dorrigo

Dangar Falls
Located 2 km north of the town centre, these small and pretty falls are well worth a visit. There is an attractive picnic spot which offers excellent vantage points. It is possible to get down to the banks and walk along the river below the falls.

Dorrigo National Park
The obvious starting point for any exploration of the Dorrigo National Park is the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre which is situated 2 km east of Dorrigo near the top of the escarpment. The Centre has experienced staff who will not only explain the flora and fauna of the rainforest but also provide detailed information on the walks available. The park is approximately 8 000 hectares of rainforest and incorporates subtropical rainforest, warm and cool temperate rainforests and dry rainforest. In the National Park are impressive stands of sassafras, red cedar, coachwood and yellow carabeen. There are also over 60 species of bird including the satin bower-bird, the rufus scrub bird, the brush turkey and the lyrebird.

Griffiths' Lookout
Located on the edge of the escarpment and offering outstanding views of the Bellinger Valley, Griffiths' Lookout can be accessed by turning into Maynard Plains Road off the main Dorrigo-Bellingen Road near the Lookout Motor Inn. You turn south and the lookout is a few kilometres away. On a clear day it is possible to see from this vantage point to the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most impressive lookouts on the eastern coast of Australia.

Ebor Falls
While in the area it is well worth visiting the Ebor Falls where the Guy Fawkes River drops 115 m over columned basalt rock. There are toilets, barbecues, tables and running water and three viewing platforms with sweeping views of the falls and the Macleay Valley.

New England National Park
The New England National Park, located between Armidale and Dorrigo, is a world heritage listed wilderness area of varying habitats reflecting dramatic differences of altitude. Ecosystems range from snow gum woodland and Antarctic beech rainforest to subtropical rainforest, including wet and dry eucalypt forest, subalpine heath and wetlands. There are 500 plant species (the NPWS have two brochures on that subject), large numbers of mammals and reptiles and a significant bird population. Clearly marked bushwalks lead through mossy beech forests and fern gullies.

Near the park entrance is the Thungatti Camping Area where there are picnic, barbecue and toilet facilities. On its eastern edge is a small pocket of rainforest with a shallow creek. The Tea Tree Falls Walk commences here. This is a 40-minute stroll through a variety of plant communities (see NPWS brochure).

The roads continues on past Berarngutta Picnic Area to Point Lookout, situated 1562 m above sea-level from whence there are spectacular views down over the almost vertical escarpment into the Bellinger River Valley and beyond to the ocean. A short wheelchair-friendly track leads from the car park. There is a picnic shelter at Point Lookout with an open fireplace.

The track leads from Point Lookout past Eagle's Nest Lookout and Banksia Point. At Eagle's Nest Lookout a 3-km walking track leads along a high country trail, dipping for a while into cool Antarctic Beech forest.

The 6.4-km circular Lyrebird Nature Walk commences at Banksia Point, 800 m south of Point Lookout. It leads deep into rainforest past Weeping Rock, a large sheer moss-covered cliff face that towers overhead. There are cabins at Banksia Point. The Chalet has accommodation for up to six people.

Tom's Cabin is also available for bushwalkers, one km west of Point Lookout and 5 km from the park entrance. It has two bedrooms with four bunks apiece. For cabin bookings tel: (02) 6657 2309. Bush camping is permitted if prior notification is given. You may wish to purchase provisions at Ebor. Another option is Little Styx River Cabins. They offer guided fly fishing safaris and bushwalking, tel: (02) 6775 9166.

The road to Point Lookout passes Styx River Forest Way on the right ( see previous entry) which leads past camping and picnic areas and Beech Lookout in Styx River National Park.

Cathedral Rock National Park
5.4 km north-east of the Point Lookout Rd, along Waterfall Way, is a left turn into Round Mountain Road which will take you into Cathedral Rocks National Park. Characterised by large granite outcrops it is an ideal spot for exploring and climbing. Bushwalkers are rewarded with some excellent views. The landforms, vegetation and temperatures are quite different to those experienced in New England National Park. There are easily accessible wetlands, gully rainforest, wet and dry eucalypt and wet heath. Wallabies and kangaroos tend to congregate around the marshlands at dusk. There are also plenty of wildflowers in summer and birdwatchers will find the park rewarding.

After 7 km the Round Mountain Road leads to the Barokee Rest Area and continues on for another kilometre to Round Mountain (1583 m), the highest point of the New England Tablelands. The Barokee Rest Area is in the middle section of the park. From here there is an easy, 5.8-km loop track to and around Cathedral Rock. There is an additional 400-m spur track which leads to the top of the rock from whence the views are outstanding, though the rocks can be slippery and the track potentially dangerous.

Another possibility is to continue on past Cathedral Rock to Native Dog River Rest Area (10.4 km, one-way) in the northern section of the park. It can also be reached by turning left (west) off Waterfall Way into the Guyra Rd, 10 km beyond the Point Lookout turnoff. It is 8 km along the Guyra Rd to the Native Dog turnoff. Several walks commence from here - the Warrigal Track (1 km), and that to Woolpack Rocks (7.4 km return). It is possible to continue south to Barokee Rest Area (10.4 km, one-way).

Wollomombi Falls
On the road between Dorrigo and Armidale, and 40 km east of Armidale, along a signposted side road which heads off Waterfall Way, are the sensational Wollomombi Falls, Australia's longest single drop falls where the Wollomombi River plummets 220 m over the cliff to the gorge below (after local rains) with Chandler Falls doing likewise nearby. Situated at 1160 m above sea-level there are gorge rim walks (including a wheelchair track) which take you to two outstanding lookouts, and a track, for the fit, that takes you down the gorge to the Chandler River where you can swim if the weather is apposite. The latter is hard-going (5 hours return).

	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Alfreda Ebor/Guyra Road Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6775 8401 Facsimile: (02) 6775 8402
	Cottages & Cabins
	Clouds End 877 Whiskey Creek Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2539 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2053
	Tourist Information
	Dorrigo National Park and Rainforest Centre Cnr Dome Rd & Lyrebird Lane Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2309
	Lodges & Chalets
	Marengo Chalet Marengo Road Ebor Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 6175 Facsimile: (02) 6657 6175
	Moffatt Falls Lodge New England National Park Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (1800) 627 736
	Tourist Information
	Tourist Information Centre Hickory St Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2486
	Cottages & Cabins
	Troutbeck Cottage Waterfall Way Ebor Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 6157
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Yaraandoo Point Lookout Road Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6775 9219 Facsimile: (02) 6775 9216
	Motels
	Motel Formule 1 Cnr Mitchell & Newell Hwys Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6682 9211 Facsimile: (02) 6682 9311 Rating: **
	The Lookout Motor Inn Maynards Plain Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2511 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2669 Rating: ***1/2
	Hotels
	Commercial Hotel/Motel 15 Cudgery St Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2003 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2933 Rating: **
	Dorrigo Hotel/Motel Cudgery St Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2016 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2059 Rating: **1/2
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Fernbrook Lodge Bed & Breakfast Fernbrook Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2573 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2573 Rating: ****
	Tallawalla Retreat 113 Old Coramba Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2315
	Gracemere Grange 325 Dome Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6778 7120 Facsimile: (02) 6778 7153
	Meridan Heights Farm Retreat Evinghams Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2823 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2823 Rating: ****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Forty One Hickory Cottage Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2825
	Lisnagarvey Cottage 803 Whiskey Creek Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2536 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2053
	Wyldefel Farm Cottage 492 Rocky Creek Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2977 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2978 Rating: ****
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Meridan Heights Farm Retreat Evinghams Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2823 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2823 Rating: ****
	Lodges & Chalets
	Dangar Lodge 175 Coramba Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2131
	Caravan Parks
	Dorrigo Mountain Resort Waterfall Way Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2564 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2146 Rating: **
	Camping & Other
	Cathedral Rock National Park Cathedral Rock National Park Dorrigo NSW 2453
	Restaurants
	Commercial Hotel 15 Cudgery St Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2003
	Dorrigo Bowling Club Chinese Restaurant Dorrigo Bowling Club Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2187
	Dorrigo Hotel/Motel Cudgery St Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2016
	Dorrigo Memorial RSL Club 2 Hickory St Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2924
	Meridan Heights Farm Retreat Evinghams Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2823
	Misty's Restaurant 33 Hickory St Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2855
	Camping & Other
	New England National Park Waterfall Way New England National Park Dorrigo NSW 2453
	Cottages & Cabins
	Riverview Cabins Macleay River Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 6157
	Restaurants
	Tallawalla Tea House 113 Old Coramba Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2315 Facsimile: (02) 6657 2315
	The Lookout Motor Inn Maynards Plain Rd Dorrigo NSW 2453 Telephone: (02) 6657 2511