9 nights at Nambucca Valley Hidden GemWe stayed at Blue Wren Cottage for nine nights in September 2026, wish we'd stayed longer, and are really looking forward to our next visit.
Being off-grid was a good reminder for us to think about where our water and energy come from, and to be thoughtful and sparing using both. It was also a great place for a digital detox and, if we really needed phone or internet access, we could just walk a little way up the hill for coverage.
The cabin had all the facilities we needed - a comfy bed and recliner chairs, dining space inside or outside on the sunny deck, a lovely bathroom with its own indoor garden and a view over the dam, a very efficient wood heater, an electric cooktop, a microwave, a large fridge, a toaster, an electric kettle and one to use on the small gas stove in the carport, a gas BBQ, a washing machine, and a clothesline. Cec brought some very comfortable outdoor recliner chairs for us to use on the deck, and if we needed anything Cec and Lesley always responded quickly. The cabin is a wonderful example of Cec’s skill, inventiveness, creativity and ingenuity both inside and out, in the use of building materials (including recycled corrugated iron) and in interior design which featured timber cut from their property and many objects put to quirky reuse.
Cec and Lesley were generous, thoughtful, and welcoming hosts with interesting life stories who are embedded in their local community. It was inspiring and hopeful to meet people who are so deeply connected with the place they call home, the place they live in, look after, and love.
The location is very beautiful with green rolling hills and forest. The cabin has a garden surrounding it and looks over a dam. There are LOTS of birds and during our stay we counted almost 80 species in the garden, on the dam, in the surrounding paddocks, and along the 2km forest circuit walk. Make sure you pack your bird guide and binoculars. There are turtles in the dam too, lots of red-necked wallabies grazing on the hillsides, and one morning we glimpsed two dingoes passing through on an unsuccessful wallaby hunt. We’ve never seen wallabies move so fast!
It wasn’t really hot enough for river swimming while we were there but if it is during your stay, ask Lesley and Cec for the directions to access the Nambucca River just down the road to cool off.
After a few days of serenity, slowing down, bird-spotting, wallaby watching, and forest walking, we found that the location is also perfect for day trips exploring the towns, nature reserves, national parks, beaches, and other attractions nearby and a bit further afield. Bowraville itself has a good bakery, an IGA, a popular hotel, a short walk down to the river at Goldies Nature Park, and the fantastic Phoenix café and art gallery. Try not to fall in love with the town too much or you’ll end up buying a vacant shop and starting that small business you’ve always dreamt of. There are great cafés, a larger range of shops, and many other attractions at nearby Macksville and Nambucca Heads too.
Just to the north is the Bowraville Nature Reserve on the narrow winding back way through to Bellingen, an easy 2WD route in dry weather. Find somewhere safe to park beside the road so you can stretch your legs and look and listen for birds and admire the rainforest.
To the west, another gem easily accessible by 2WD in dry weather, is League Scrub in Gumbaynggirr National Park, with its magnificent ancient rainforest, cathedral-like strangler figs, and even more birds.
North, up the coast, are Urunga with its popular boardwalk for both bird and fish watching; Bongil Bongil National Park where we saw our only wild koala this trip; Sawtell with its fig tree-lined main street; and Coffs Harbour.
North, inland via Bellingen, is the almost unbelievable beauty of Gleniffer and the Promised Land. It’s just a short steep drive uphill from there to Dorrigo with its rainforest, lookouts, and waterfalls.
Returning to the cabin after a day trip away was like coming home.
Thank you so much Lesley and Cec. Go well.
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