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 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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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.