Bossberries at Dorrigo
A little while back during a hectic work week I received a message from Tommo @CoffsCoast4x4BushAdventures. Apparently, he’d found a cool spot an hour or so from Coffs that looked awesome. Tommo suggested we should head there on the weekend. A quick message back to lock it in and it was sorted.
The crew and a bugger
Tommo and the crew (Laura, Matt, Brooke and Liam) headed up on the Friday night. My youngest Koby and I followed early on the Saturday morning. It’s an hour run up the mountain from Coffs to Dorrigo via Bellingen. A scenic drive in itself, I’ve done hundreds of times and this time I was towing the trusty camper trailer. It was loaded with hardwood timber off cuts from a mate of mine ready for the campfire. The only thing I forgot to do was to put the awning poles and ropes in, bugger…
The run up the mountain to Dorrigo passes some beautiful waterfalls, the first one being Newell Falls. The second being Sherrard Falls
plateau views
Once the near endless bends straighten out and the mountain views change to plateau views you pass the turn off at Dome Road for the World Heritage Listed rainforest. If you’re keen for a walk in nature take the Wonga Walk. This will take you to Crystal Shower Falls and just a stone’s throw from there is Tristania Falls. I haven’t been back here since I was a young bloke but I really do need get back and re-explore this area.
The Rag Tag Railway
Just a few minutes past there, it’s through the quiet town of Dorrigo. Then head out past the old Railway Station and the vast collection of old steam train carriages, locomotives and onto Bossberries. A great historical documentary about the Glenreagh to Dorrigo Railway line by the ABC that I found on youtube ‘The Rag Tag Railway’.
There is a larger private collection on private property that you can see from Tallowood Street. I’ll be doing more on exploring this line in a later article.
the hilton site
When I arrived at the main Bossberries building I called Tommo and got directions to the riverside camp spot which was just magic. We stayed at the Hilton Site which is huge! It has a massive shelter perfect for entertaining and hanging out and cooking.
The site is nestled right on the river banks we had plenty of fun swimming and paddling in the kayaks. There may have been some ‘solo man’ antics floating down the upper rapids. The lower ones were looking a bit too intense to take on. With a lot of water flowing after some decent rainfalls earlier in the week.
blueberries, bass and silver perch
We were lucky enough to be taken on a tour of the property on the Sunday prior to our departure to show us what else it had to offer. A lot of work has gone into getting the farm stay to where it is today and it is amazing.
If you love Blueberries, there’s acres of them planted where for a fee you can pic a bucket full. You can also ask about fishing in the dam that is stocked with Bass and Silver Perch.
Almost guaranteed to catch something unless you fish like me.
where to book
There is a total of 4 campsites on the property so it is never overcrowded and a long drop with mountain views. If you want to flash it up there is also the AirBnB which is spectacular.
The location and bookings can be found: www.youcamp.com/view/bossberries-camping or search Bossberries Camping and Accomodation on facebook.
leaving bossberries at dorrigo
Heading North out of Dorrigo on Sunday afternoon we headed home along Coramba Road. This road takes you past the Spectacular and popular swimming spot ‘Dangar Falls’. (I have better ones somewhere but I can’t find them. I had my long lens on when I took these pics). Further along the road you crisscross the old railway line several times. When you cross over from Megan to Brooklana the road changes to Eastern Dorrigo Way.
woolgoolgaoffroad
As I was getting some coordinates of certain locations, I came across some memorial trees for Jack Feeney and Ken Corfe. But I will go back and have a look next time I’m out that way. There are some big cast iron bridges along the old train line. You can do a couple of detours to go check them out. Just make sure you don’t venture onto private property.
Also have a look at one of North Storm’s Ambassadors Kev Smith @woolgoolgaoffroad‘s blog that has so much historical information on the area. Places such as Cascade, Bobo and Ulong to name a few.
last stop
Pulling into Coramba in the afternoon we stopped off at the local watering hole to wash the dust out of our throats before heading home to unload and get ready for the work week.
Here are some more snapshots from our perfect weekend getaway with great crew.
Kev Smith from Woolgoolgaoffroad Exploring offroad in Coffs Harbour
Words: Jereme Lindsell and some borrowed from Tommo Chivers @CoffsCoast4x4BushAdventures
Pictures: Trickydevil Offroad
******************** History & Facts *******************
https://www.dorrigo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/22274-waterfalls_flyer.pdf
