8 little-known delights of the charming Orara Valley 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

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.

Take the scenic route past lush landscapes in Dorrigo. (Image: Destination NSW)

Hit Coramba Hotel, one of the best pubs in the Coffs Coast region, 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.

The Ulong Ex-Services Club holds prime position deep within the valley.

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

The four-metre-tall Golden Dog sculpture is one of Australia’s iconic Big Things.

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

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).

Picnic on the banks of the Urumbilum River. (Image: SRuming/DCCEEW)

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

See superb views of the Bangalore Falls from the lookout. (Image: Barbara Webster/DCCEEW)

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.

Take on the End Peak walking track in Ulidarra National Park. (Image: RCleary/DCCEEW)

3. Orara Valley is full of sophisticated stays

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.

Check into the Coffs Coast Mountain Retreat.

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.

Friday Creek Resort is an ideal place to immerse yourself in nature.

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

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.

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

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.

Chase waterfalls in Bindarri National Park. (Image: SRuming/DCCEEW)

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

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.

Stock up on freshly baked sweet treats from Glenreagh Bakery.

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

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.

Idle In Cafe in Nana Glen delivers a hefty dose of warm hospitality.

Add the Lowanna General Store and Box Car Cafe to your list to explore the town’s rich history and chat with charming locals.

Have a yarm with a local at Lowanna General Store.

Ulong’s 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.

Cafe in the Valley is famous for its homemade treats and towering Works burger.

7. The community vibes in Orara Valley are strong

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, there’s plenty of community initiatives to tie villages even closer together.

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

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.

Join a wreath-making class at Upper Orara Hall.

8. Scouts Falls is worth the visit alone

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.

Seek out the secret swimming hole within Sherwood Nature Reserve. (Image: BWebster/DCCEEW)

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