Bellingen

Bellingen Family

Families in Bellingen can share stories, join playgroups, explore creative interests and find age-specific support close to home. Options extend across the shire, with activities for babies through to young adults and practical help for parents and carers.

✨ Play, stories and creative activities

Bellingen Shire Libraries – children’s storytime and school holiday activities

Council-run libraries offer regular storytime at Bellingen, along with children’s activities and school holiday events across the Bellingen, Dorrigo and Urunga branches. Bellingen Library is at Maam Gaduying (Meeting Place) Park. Check the current program before setting out.

Bellingen Community Playgroup

Babies, toddlers and preschool children can play and socialise while their carers connect with other local families. The weekly group is listed for Wednesdays from 9.30 am at Bellingen Anglican Church; make an enquiry before attending.

Chrysalis Steiner School Playgroups

North Bellingen families can choose Circle Song Playgroup for toddlers to age three or Pitter Patter Playgroup for children aged three to four. Held at Bellingen Children’s Centre, sessions combine songs, storytelling, bread-making and indoor and outdoor play. Registration is required and term fees apply.

Camp Creative

Scheduled for 11–15 January 2027, this five-day Bellingen program offers more than 80 creative courses for participants from age five through to adults. Families should review each course’s age suitability, venue, support arrangements and enrolment conditions before booking.

🌟 Youth connection and guidance

Bello Youth Hub – Youth Drop-In

Young people aged 12–25 can use study, art, music and shared spaces, access Wi-Fi or speak with youth workers. The free, supervised drop-in runs during school terms from 3 pm to 5 pm, Tuesday to Friday. Its open-door model means participants may arrive and leave independently.

Bellingen & Nambucca Youth Services

This free self-referral service assists young people aged 12–18 and their families with counselling, advocacy, information, referrals, parenting support and education or employment pathways. Based at Bellingen Youth Hub, it can arrange outreach meetings in Dorrigo, Urunga, Nambucca and surrounding areas.

❤ Parenting, development and family wellbeing

Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire – Early Childhood Wellbeing & Development

Family workers support households with children aged 0–5 through parenting and child-development information, individual assistance, referrals and group activities. The service includes first-time and single parents, families new to the area, Aboriginal families, and families where a parent or child has disability or additional needs. A Thursday morning playgroup is also listed.

Mid North Coast Local Health District – Child and Family Health Nursing Service

Nurses provide information and support for parents and carers. The Bellingen clinic operates by appointment on Tuesdays at the Youth Hub, 2 William Street. Immunisation appointments are listed separately at Bellinger River District Hospital on the third Thursday of each month.

Mid North Coast Local Health District – Child and Family Counselling Service

Families with children aged 12 and under can access free counselling through the Bellingen or Dorrigo pathway. Support can address child behaviour, parent–child conflict and perinatal mood or anxiety difficulties. After a family calls, a counsellor returns the call to discuss available assistance; this is not a crisis-response service.

Mid North Coast Local Health District – Speech Pathology

Public paediatric support covers feeding, early language, speech clarity, stuttering, social language and pre-reading concerns. Families in the Bellingen and Dorrigo service area may self-refer through the Coffs Harbour region. Outreach at Bellingen Hospital may be offered, while waiting periods and limits on sessions can apply.

📌 Before you attend

• Confirm current sessions, school-holiday dates and appointment availability directly with the provider.
• Check age ranges carefully, particularly where siblings may attend together.
• Ask about accessibility and support needs before enrolling in activities or courses.
• Confirm fees, registration requirements and cancellation terms before booking.
• For open-door youth activities, discuss arrival, departure and supervision expectations as a family.

🎯 Run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Bellingen and surrounds? You are welcome to add your listing or submit updated details so local families can find current, practical information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on bellingen.nsw.guide.