My Perfect Day on the Mountain

Misty mornings greet me every day on our beautiful mountain.

First, Coffee!

It always starts with coffee. A good one. I’m happy to brew my own, but if I’m treating myself, a stop at the Ulong General Store or Lowanna General Store is hard to beat. There’s just something about a country café that makes the day feel like it’s off to a great start.

Caffeine sorted, it’s time for the rainforest.

Ancient Living Wonders of Our Australian Rainforests

We head along Corfes Road toward Bindarri National Park, enjoying that winding, peaceful drive until we reach the Bangalore Falls walking track car park. After a quick pit stop, we’re off—straight into that cool, green world of towering trees and birdsong.

The cool clear water of the Bangalore falls with sunshine filtering through the trees.- Photo credit Shelley Kleinhans

The walk to the falls is pure magic. There’s always something to notice—sunlight through the leaves, the call of a bird, the smell of damp earth. If we’re feeling a bit adventurous, we’ll climb down to the base of the falls or wander to the pool at the top. At the very least, there’s always a toe dip… and if the weather’s kind, maybe even a swim.

Back to the car, then on we go—this time to Urumbilum Falls. It’s a short walk in, passing some old logging relics and crossing a wooden bridge before the rainforest wraps around you again. Sitting on the rocks at the top of the falls, listening to the water rush over, is one of those moments where everything just slows down.

By now, we’ve definitely earned some food. If I’ve been organised, there’s a picnic waiting… but let’s be honest, today we’re heading back to the Ulong Club—the pub with the view. A generous meal, a cold drink, and that outlook over the valley? Hard to top. If it’s the weekend, there might even be some live music drifting through, which just adds to the vibe.

If we’ve still got energy to burn, we might venture out to Timmsvale Forest for a short but steep wander down to Battery Falls. Otherwise, it’s time for a scenic drive—looping along Eastern Dorrigo Way through lush rainforest, pausing to admire the Giant Tallowood Tree before turning off at Megan toward Cascade.

From there, we wind our way back toward Ulong, stopping at the beautiful Frogs Hollow Causeway. Whether it’s a quick swim or just sitting by the pristine Bobo River, it’s the perfect little pause.

To finish the day, nothing beats heading up to the lookout above Ulong. A few snacks, a glass of something nice, and that golden sunset stretching out over the hills… honestly, it doesn’t get much better than that.

A spectacular rainbow to end a perfect day.

Shelley’s been living her best mountain life since 2018, building up a small holding with her husband and somehow keeping it all together as a part-time bookkeeper. When she’s not wrangling numbers, she’s out saving the day as a Community First Responder and Rural Fire Fighter—no big deal. She’s also a founding member of the Mountain Community Network (because of course she is) and runs her own sewing biz, That’s Sew Shelley, fixing hems and saving wardrobes one stitch at a time.