Bellbrook

Bellbrook brings together a clearly defined heritage theme with trails and drives that offer different ways to experience the place. As a National Trust Heritage Village, it has recognised heritage status; at the same time, its connection to country and western singer Slim Dusty is visible at specific locations. If you’re weighing up cultural history, scenic drives, walking and paddling for your trip, you’ll find several different points of interest here.

Heritage and music history

Homewood in Bellbrook is of state heritage significance because of its connection to the formative years of country and western singer Slim Dusty. Behind the stage name was David Gordon Kirkpatrick, who lived from 1927 to 2003. A concrete slab at Homewood gives this connection a specific link to a particular song: it marks the spot where 18-year-old Slim Dusty wrote “The Rain Tumbles Down in July” in 1945. In this way, a place and a single work form part of Bellbrook’s music history.

The cultural references around town also extend beyond music. Interpretation panels explain the significance of the distinctive mountain Burrel Bulai and its associated Dreamtime story. You can consider this story as a focus in its own right alongside the music history. Bellbrook’s artworks also include the sculpture “Wupu Manhatinum” (“travelling star”). It commemorates the late Aboriginal elder and artist Auntie Ester Quinlan. The panels, the sculpture and the story of Homewood each highlight a different aspect: landscape and storytelling, artistic remembrance, and a particular chapter in Slim Dusty’s life.

Scenic drives and walking trails

For a drive with Bellbrook as the destination, the Slim Dusty Way Scenic Drive offers a clear guide: it ends in the town. The Bellbrook Scenic Drive, by contrast, passes through the village. So if you’re planning a scenic drive, the distinction is whether Bellbrook is described as the endpoint or as a place you drive through.

The Bellbrook Walk can be extended with a detour to Macleay River Bridge. After crossing the bridge, walkers can follow either Toose Road or Rossiter Road for as far as they wish, then return the same way. The choice between the two roads and the option to set your own distance make this part of the walk flexible.

The Ngurra Mungan Cultural Walk is another walking trail promoted in Bellbrook. There is a launch point for paddle craft on Macleay River at Toose Road. This offers different options for planning your trip: a walking trail with a cultural connection, the Bellbrook Walk and its stated options, or paddling on the river.

Local food and planning your trip

A specific culinary highlight is the historic Bellbrook Hotel, which serves refreshing drinks and hearty, home-cooked meals. Together with the cultural and outdoor activities, this gives you a range of different options for a stay in Bellbrook. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider whether music history and heritage, a scenic drive, walking, paddling or local food is what draws you to this destination. You can weigh up these interests without having to turn them into a fixed itinerary.

More places to explore

More places to explore: Gladstone, Crescent Head and South West Rocks.

For the broader travel overview: Kempsey Shire Council.