As you drive out from Bellingen and head up Darkwood Road, you soon realise you have entered, without argument, one of the region’s most picturesque valleys, Thora. Driving up scenic Darkwood Road (no through traffic) you get that sense of being a million miles from anywhere, where the air is clean, the rivers and creeks are pure, the land is fertile, and the bush and rainforest is un-spoilt.

Once we reach our destination you immediately feel relaxed, surrounded by a stunning natural backdrop and absolute tranquility, you really have left the hustle and bustle behind. There’s something quite magical and healing about the Thora Valley and you can certainly feel it at this property.

Shangri-La and it’s 155 acres offers it all, established native bush and rainforest, rich river flat soils which would be ideal for stock or cropping, and wide frontage to the upper reaches of the pristine Bellinger River. You have your own sparkling swimming holes and even your own storybook creek with waterfall. Improvements consist of an original farmhouse, plus the original old bales that have since been converted to a workers’ cottage.

The options on offer are endless; grow cash vegetable gardens, graze cattle, keep all for yourself as is, renovate, or even potentially create an eco-retreat, the choice is yours. This really is your ultimate retreat where you can enjoy self-sustainability and get away from it all.

Just 45 approx. minutes away is Bellingen, New South Wales’s most sought-after town, where you have health and healing facilities, amenities, superb coffee and restaurants, entertainment, art and craft and of course a true sense of community. The Thora valley has both Orama Public School and the Chrysalis Steiner School with a regular bus service.