Bellingen Riverside Cottages

Bellingen Riverside Cottages is three private, self-contained cottages on 8 acres overlooking the Bellinger River at 224 North Bank Road, about 2 kilometres from Bellingen's town centre in NSW. Cottage 1 has a bedroom plus bunks, Cottage 2 is a one-bedroom tucked into the trees over the water, and Cottage 3 is a two-storey, three-bedroom, three-bathroom build with panoramic river views. Reviewers rate the hosts, the appointments and the seclusion highly.

Dogs at the Bellingen Riverside Cottages

Dogs are welcome in the nominated pet cottages, typically Cottages 1 and 2, with approval required at booking. A one-off pet fee applies, reported at around $40 per pet, and there is no published size limit, so confirm larger or multiple dogs when you book. Indoors they are welcome but expected to stay off the furniture. Mention the dog explicitly when you reserve, because only some cottages take them.

Max: river out the front, kayaks for the humans, and a resident dog on site who shows you around. good firm

Worth knowing

This is a quiet-river-base property, not a walk-to-town one, though the drive into Bellingen is only a few minutes. Kayaking on the river is part of the stay, and the river frontage gives your dog a leashed wander at the water's edge. Guests mention a friendly resident dog on the property, so yours will have company. Book early: with two pet cottages, dog-friendly dates go first.

Getting there and day trips

North Bank Road runs along the northern side of the Bellinger River, and the cottage gates open onto that riverbank. Waterfall Way starts at Bellingen; Dangar Falls near Dorrigo is one of the few waterfall sites that welcomes dogs, with a viewing platform and a track to the pool's shallow edge, while Dorrigo National Park itself is out of bounds. The coast at Urunga is about 25 minutes east.

Close by with the dogs

In town, Hyde Bellingen and Charlie's at church both look after visiting dogs, and Urunga Dog beach is the closest off-lead sand. More options are on the NSW stays page and in the Bellingen destination guide.