The Bellingen Region in New South Wales boasts several notable art galleries and museums that exhibit a diverse range of artistic expressions and local history. In Bellingen, the Bellingen Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the Aboriginal and European history of the Bellinger Valley, featuring collections of objects, photos, paintings, and models that depict early settlement and life in the region. Nearby in Urunga, the Bellingen & Urunga Museums focus on the maritime history of the area, once known as Bellinger Heads, housing a collection of documents, family history, articles, newspapers, photographs, maps, paintings, books, and artifacts dating back to pre-European settlement.
For those seeking a contemporary art experience, the AK Bellinger Gallery in Inverell offers a rotating program of exhibitions by Australian artists and extends its reach through a robust online selling platform. While outside the Bellingen Region, the Maitland Regional Art Gallery is a notable nearby attraction housed in a historic Federation Gothic building, featuring an impressive collection of over 6,000 works with an emphasis on paper-based art. The Mid North Coast of New South Wales is home to over 60 galleries that provide a rich tapestry of artistic expressions in various settings, including heritage buildings.