Bellingen Island Flying Fox Reserve

Visitors can access the island from the ramp at the Old Caravan Park site on Dowle Street at the northern end of Bellingen. The colony is present year-round, though the most dramatic and noisiest period is October to January, when mothers are giving birth and nursing their young. The grey-headed flying fox is a threatened species that plays a critical role in pollinating and dispersing seeds for hundreds of native plant species, including the rainforest trees lining the Waterfall Way corridor.

For the full visual impact of the mass departure, the bridge over the Bellinger River in the town centre provides the best elevated vantage point. The sight of thousands of large bats spiralling into the darkening sky against the backdrop of the valley is a draw for wildlife photographers and casual visitors alike. Wearing long trousers and using insect repellent is recommended on the island itself, where nettles, leeches and mosquitoes are present. Access is free and the reserve is open at all times.