Orara Valley: 8 Surprising Secrets To Discover

Swap breezy beaches for cosy countryside at the Coffs Coast’s hidden Orara Valley.

Ancient ghost gums, grassy paddocks and tiny townships aren’t the first things you think of when you hear Coffs Coast. But steer your journey just west of the northern NSW coastline and you’ll roll into its enchanting hinterland. The Orara Valley huddles a handful of scenic villages joined by the Orara River including Nana Glen, Coramba, Glenreagh, Ulong, Lowanna, Upper Orara and Karangi. Featuring breathtaking scenery, nature activities, gourmand-friendly indulgences and so much more, it flows with unexpected attractions. Allow us to point out the highlights.

1. Pub meals are exceptionally scenic around here

the dog statue at the Golden Dog Hotel — The four-metre-tall Golden Dog sculpture is one of Australia’s iconic Big Things.

Rolling green hills freckled with farm animals come part and parcel with pub sessions in the Orara Valley, home to idyllic bistros and beer gardens.

Hit Coramba Hotel , one of the best pubs in the Coffs Coast region, is around the corner from easy swimming access to the Orara River. You’ll want a table out back overlooking the farm. And if you’re tempted by a few too many, there’s overnight accommodation. Ulong Ex-Services Club is equally magical, a pub and bistro nestled deep within the valley that pops up out of nowhere to offer jaw-dropping Eastern Dorrigo Plateau vistas that form part of the Great Dividing Range.

In Glenreagh, don’t miss The Golden Dog Hotel for pub revelry flanked by pristine farmland and a four-metre-tall Golden Dog sculpture.

2. The Orara Valley is a nature lover’s playground

the Urumbilum River Plateau, Circuit Loop Trail — Picnic on the banks of the Urumbilum River. (Image: SRuming/DCCEEW)

Home to an abundance of flora and fauna, the Orara Valley is best experienced on foot through its national parks and nature reserves (although the incredible Orara West State Forest can be seen via car along Eastern Dorrigo Way).

Hunt down Coramba Nature Reserve to wander through a closed canopy forest of fascinating plant life, birds galore, giant barred frogs and more.

The Bangalore Falls walking track in Bindarri National Park will take you to a magnificent cascade and nearby shaded picnic area, and the End Peak walking track in Ulidarra National Park is thoroughly serene before winding you up to views across Coffs Harbour.

3. Orara Valley is full of sophisticated stays

the outdoor pool at Friday Creek Resort — Friday Creek Resort is an ideal place to immerse yourself in nature.

Find your ultimate hinterland escape at a handful of the Orara Valley’s best accommodation options. Coffs Coast Mountain Retreat in Lowanna offers two eco-friendly cabins fitted with hot tubs, fully equipped kitchens, fire pits, outdoor dining settings, TVs and barbecues.

Friday Creek Resort in Upper Orara is home to nine cottages and resort facilities that span an outdoor pool, outdoor dining space fitted with a wood-fire pizza oven and kitchenette, croquet, tennis court and laundry.

There’s also Mount Browne Cottage , a two-bedroom home in Upper Orara built with wooden floorboards, a wood fireplace and an outdoor fire pit and jazzed further with a TV with Netflix, claw bathtub and more.

4. Adventure-seekers can easily find their fix

a 4WD driving through Orara Escarpment — Drive through the Orara Escarpment in a 4WD. (Image: Barbara Webster/DCCEEW)

Looking for somewhere new to rip it up in your 4WD? This is the spot. The Orara Escarpment is an 80-kilometre round trip from Coffs Harbour that swings you through the Bindarri National Park to see waterfalls, lush subtropical greenery, bird life, tranquil picnic areas and more.

If kayaking’s your thing, head to Hartleys Bridge in Coramba to access the Orara River’s ideal conditions, and if you love SUP cruising, this is also a great entry point.

5. Orara Valley is home to one of Australia’s best bakeries

the Glenreagh Bakery in Orara Valley — Stock up on freshly baked sweet treats from Glenreagh Bakery.

Forget the two-day-old vanilla slices typically found in country bakeries. No exaggeration, you’ll be shocked when you spy the shelves at Glenreagh Bakery . This place brings serious imagination and global flair to every creation, surprising visitors with seasonal ingredients and all the classics nailed just right. Owner Brooke honed her skills at The Ritz and Claridge’s in London, Callebaut Chocolate factory in Singapore and Bathers’ Pavilion in Sydney, so it’s quality stuff. Expect an ever-evolving menu of savoury pastries, bread, tarts, turnovers, slices and sandwiches maxed out on mouth-watering fluffiness and flavour.

6. The cafe culture in Orara Valley is full of life

a look inside Idle In Cafe, Orara Valley — Idle In Cafe in Nana Glen delivers a hefty dose of warm hospitality.

There’s no shortage of quality cuppas and heartfelt hospitality in the Orara Valley as atmospheric cafes dot every village. Must-stops include Idle In Cafe in Nana Glen, home to delicious treats and a much-loved timber sculpture nodding to the town’s traditional name, Ngaria, which means two-tailed lizard.

Add the Lowanna General Store and Box Car Cafe to your list to explore the town’s rich history and chat with charming locals. The on-site Cafe in the Valley is also a winner for its towering Works burger and homemade treats best savoured out on the grass and enveloped in mountain views.

7. The community vibes in Orara Valley are strong

the Orara River in Coramba Nature Reserve — The community connections are stronger than the current of the Orara River. (Image: Robert Cleary/DCCEEW)

Connected by so much more than the Orara River, the Orara Valley community feels old-school local, and it’s utterly endearing. Not only are its small business owners and residents always ready to share holiday tips, but there are plenty of community initiatives to tie the villages even closer together.

From wreath-making classes at Upper Orara Hall and ‘Swap Shuffle Share’ produce exchanges in Nana Glen, to film nights at Coramba Community Hall and clothes swaps at the Nana Glen Hall, staying a little longer to get to know the locals is widely encouraged.

8. Scouts Falls is worth the visit alone

an aerial view of the Sherwood Nature Reserve — Seek out the secret swimming hole within Sherwood Nature Reserve. (Image: BWebster/DCCEEW)

Love a secret swimming hole? We’ve got you. Adding to our list of Australia’s best natural swimming spots, Scouts Falls in the Sherwood Nature Reserve off Sherwood Creek Road in Glenreagh streams softly from a drop of about 10 metres over a deep swimming hole, making for the ultimate run-your-hair-under-the-waterfall freshwater dip. It’s a 15-minute or so bushwalk from where you’ll park your car but cooling down in these blissful waters is worth every effort.

For more unexpected wonders of the Coffs Coast, read our guide to Coffs Harbour and beyond.

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

8 little-known delights of the charming Orara Valley to discover